Part 2: Consequences of War on Russian-Speaking Community

By A RUSSIAN SPEAKING COMMUNITY MEMBER

War brings destruction, loss of loved ones, and cultural conflicts between people who were once like one family. In the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, the internal experiences of Russian-speaking immigrants have become more acute. These people are stuck between cultures, facing feelings of guilt, fear, and isolation.

I interviewed Russian and Ukrainian immigrants to explore how their lives have changed since the war began. The main focus of the interview is the consequences of the conflict in emotional, social and cultural senses including internal conflict of identity, attitudes toward the dynamics of the society in which we live at the moment, and how people cope with the complexities of war.

To protect the identities of the individuals I interviewed, I have chosen not to use their full names, ensuring their privacy while sharing their experiences. K left Ukraine before the war began, L is a Russian immigrant who came to the U.S. after the war started, G has lived in the U.S. since 2017 and is now a citizen but originally from Ukraine, and A was born in the U.S. but spent most of her life in Russia. Each of them offers a unique perspective on how the war has affected their lives and identities.… Read the rest “Part 2: Consequences of War on Russian-Speaking Community”