Introduction
A huge number of Russians reside in the United States of America. Some of them reached into America earlier, but most of the Russians migrated to the America in the late nineteenth century. Russians have become an integral part of the American society. This paper intends to discuss the Russian migration and several other related aspects of the area under discussion.
Background
The terrain, which is recognized today as Alaska, a US province, was established by the Russians in the initial years of the nineteenth century. Russians arrived in this region with the intention to trade of fur in the middle of the eighteenth century. Ivan kuskov is said to be the creator of the Alaska as agricultural supply base. This region was established as a part of the Russian American Company. This piece of land became a bone of contention between Russians and the span. Spain claimed this region as their part but could never occupy it as Russians were very strong with their establishments in this region (Frost, 2003).
Transportation problems and declining number of animals in the Alaska compelled Russians to think over Alaska, and they sold it to America in the year 1867 when they got a lucrative offer for this region. The majority of Russian population left the United States of America, but some of them stayed there and settled in southern Alaska as well as in the California. These people were involved in the mining and became rich gold traders in the coming years (Frost, 2003).
Russian migration
Russians started migrating to the US in the nineteenth century when a series of pogroms against the Jewish community started. Records suggest that the majority of Russians migrants were settled in the Pennsylvania and the New York. Initially, Russians were not given any job. Most of the Russian migrants were unskilled, and they used to work in factories and mines for a very low wage. Russians were not accepted as members by the local labor unions (Trumbauer & Asher, 2005).
This migration took place in different phases. A number of factors from political to social and economic to religious factors were directly responsible for Russian migration into America. Russians saw a sea of opportunities in the United States of America, and they rushed towards the US. Some of the migrants were tortured by the communists of the Russia because of their different political views. They were compelled to leave Russia, and they could not think any option better than the America (Trumbauer & Asher, 2005).
Jews were tortured in Russian society, and they were forced to leave Russia. Jews fled to America and settled there. Some migrants anticipated that the US is the future ad they can do better in the US due to their professional obligations. Policies of the Russian government and the authorities were very harsh, and there was no civil liberty. Several duties were imposed on the people but they lacked rights. These factors compelled Russians to migrate into America in huge numbers (Trumbauer & Asher, 2005).
Emigration was not allowed in the soviet era; however few traitors and nonconformists were allowed to enter into America and other West countries due to political reasons. Ayn Rand (1926), Alexander Orlov (1938), Svetlana Alliluyeva (1967) and Aleksandr Solzenitsyn (1974) escaped from the communist regime. Several military personnel also escaped as they were not able to deliver their knowledge and also in order to protect themselves from any blame game (Simon, 1997).
Russians were talented and hard working. Russian migrants became a part of the American society. Today, Russians are found in almost every part of the America, but they are mainly settled in Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, South Dakota, and in the New York. They contributed in the making of the society as per their capacity. Russian migrants earned the trust of the factory owners, politicians and were rewarded for their good qualities. They are working in every field including politics and social service. Russians are doctors, scientists, teachers, business tycoons and corporate workers. Russians, today, are an important part of America (Simon, 1997).
Sufferings and oppressions
Some of the Russian migrants joined political parties, and several others became part of the anarchist movement that was emerging in the contemporary American society. Mitchell palmer was appointed as US attorney general in the year 1919 by the president Woodrow Wilson. Palmer anticipated that the Russian communist strategists may try to overthrow the American government with the help of Russians migrants. Such revelations harmed Russian’s interests and painted a wrong image of theirs in the eyes of Americans. A large number of Russians, associated with the anarchist movement, were raided and arrested. They were interrogated and kept in custody for a long time. They were found innocent in the probe, and no such conspiracy was ever planned by the Russian communists (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998).
Even after decades, Russian migrants face several difficulties in United States of America. They face discrimination in their daily life. They struggle to get jobs and after getting jobs, they again struggle to get promotions. Once any problem as an economic recession comes, Russians are the first who are fired by the organizations. They are neglected by the government agencies and are always seen suspiciously. Apart from the government, they are also mistreated by the American People (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998).
Russians are easy targets for the law enforcement agencies. Russian youngsters are picked by the police in case of any untoward incidents in the vicinity. They are not treated like other American communities. They are stereotyped as criminals and drug peddlers. Russians are the victims of the national politics. They are mistreated because of the long rivalry of America and Russia. Irrespective of their contribution to the American society, Russians have not got the respect that they deserve (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998).
A number of American Russians are worried about their future and future of their next generations in the United States. They apprehend that their children may face the same treatment in the American society that they have faced. Their apprehension is reasonable as they suffer such problems in the society. Their sufferings and concerns are genuine and should be taken into consideration by the government. Some social organizations and NGO’s have started working for the welfare of Russian migrants, but their issues need the sincere attention of the American government (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998).
America’s concern
Americans are concerned about the Russian migration into their country. They are also worried about their jobs that Russians are snatching from them as they are ready to work for very lesser amount of money. Americans have a different impression of Russians, and they consider them as criminals. Russians youths are involved in some cases that suggest Americans to think that Russians are criminals, and it is good to avoid them (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998)
Russian migrants become an issue among political parties on the eve of elections in the United States of America. Political parties allure voters by saying that tougher norms will be made for the migrants. These politicians also advocate for priority to the Americans in the government and private sector jobs. Such promises by the politicians make Russians feared. They start thinking over their decisions to migrate into America and keep hoping for the best in the future (Simon, 1997).
Social workers and NGO’s for Russian migrants
Several social organizations have raised issues of Russian migrants and advocated for their causes in areas where Russian migrants are living in sporadic state of affairs. These organizations, along with some individuals, have started several welfare programs for these people. They also demand the government to make certain policies in order to improve the lives of millions of Russians migrants who are now an inseparable part of the American society. Various NGO’s also keep raising the issues that affect the interests of Russian migrants in a substantial manner (Finckenauer & Waring, 1998).
These organizations need to know a lot about the problems that Russians face in their daily life. They should also conduct surveys about their lifestyle, their issues, earnings, and try to understand how these issues can be solved. Individuals and organizations, working for the Russians, need to do some groundwork before approaching the government, if they want to do something substantial in order to improve their situation. Russians need assistance and assurance from the American government in order to lead a good life (Trumbauer & Asher, 2005).
The problems of Russian migrants are different from other communities. They face different kinds of issues in their personal and professional life. Russians are subjected to several discriminations and sufferings that other communities do not face usually. Their issues should be addressed in a different manner. They should be given some special privileges in order to make them feel more connected to the society. Individuals and social organizations may help Russians in a substantial way (Trumbauer & Asher, 2005).
Conclusion
Having observed the succinct analysis of the abovementioned subject, it can be concluded that the Russians migrants are integrated part of the American society and they should not be treated as outsiders. They are an integrated part of the American society and have contributed substantially in the making of modern America. They are working in every sector but still lack the facilities that other communities get easily. Russians always fear about losing their jobs as they are still seen with the suspicion. They are harassed by the law enforcement agencies every when and then.
Russians also do not get appropriate support from the society which makes them more vulnerable. This aspect should not be ignored anymore in order to make the society as a better place. Ignoring them may affect the social fabric of the American society. Russians are not aliens and they should be treated like the other citizens of the nation. On the other ands, the Russian community should also co-operate the law enforcement agencies in cases where they can help them in maintaining the law and order situation. The elderly people of the Russian community should counsel their youngsters to behave as per the norms of the society.
References
Finckenauer, J. O., & Waring, E. J. (1998). Russian Mafia in America: Immigration, Culture, and Crime. USA: UPNE.
Frost, H. (2003). Russian Immigrants, 1860-1915. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone.
Simon, R. J. (1997). In the Golden Land: A Century of Russian and Soviet Jewish Immigration in America. Westport, CT: VNR AG.
Trumbauer, L., & Asher, R. (2005). Russian Immigrants. New York: Infobase Publishing.
