Country/corresponding immigrant community: Russia/Russian community
How many live in the US? In the tristate area? How many in the home country? According to the Institute of Modern Russia in 2011, the Russian American population is estimated to be 3.13 million. The New York Tri-State area has a population of 1.6 million Russian-Americans and 600,000 of them live in New York City. Russia 2020 population is estimated at 145,934,462 people at mid year according to UN data.
In the tristate area, where do they live? Brighton Beach, Brooklyn continues to be the most important demographic and cultural center for the Russian American experience. However, as Russian Americans have climbed in socioeconomic status, the diaspora from Russia and other former Soviet-bloc states has moved toward more affluent parts of the New York metropolitan area, notably Bergen County, New Jersey.
What jobs do a significant percentage of them have? Many Russian immigrants work in the tech industry. A large percentage of them also work in Business-related fields. Also many Russian-Americans work in the healthcare industry as well as pharma.
Why did they come? When? Facing religious persecution and poverty, millions of Russians immigrated to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Widespread poverty and starvation cast a shadow over Russia during the late 1800s. … Unlike immigrants from other countries, few returned to Russia—America had become their homeland.
What are some major organizations/advocacy groups/resources in this community? Embassy of Russian Federation, Congress of Russian Americans, The Russian American Federation, The Russian Orthodox Church
Do they have local media house/s? If so, list them. RT TV, RT America, Sputnik
List/link the major media houses in the home country.
Sputnik, Russia-1, Gazeta
How strong are relationships with the home country? How significant are remittances to the home country’s economy? Relationships with the home country are varied depending on a individuals political views. As many interviews have shown that a large amount of Russian-Americans came to the U.S with the intention of “never looking back”. However, all Russian-Americans place an importance on family and values, and either try to bring their family here to the U.S or send money back/bring money back to the home country. Remittances however, are not very significant to the home country’s overall economy.
In the homeland what is the GDP per capita? Where does that rank in the world? What are the major industries? 11,288.87 USD (2018)
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Russia relies on energy revenues to drive most of its growth. Russia has an abundance of oil, natural gas and precious metals, which make up a major share of Russia’s exports. As of 2012, the oil-and-gas sector accounted for 16% of GDP, 52% of federal budget revenues and over 70% of total exports.Russia is considered an “energy superpower”. It has the world’s largest proven natural gas reserves and is the largest exporter of natural gas. It is also the second-largest exporter of petroleum. Russia also has a significantly large Arms Industry.
What is the system of government? When did this system come into place? Was there a colonial power? (Or was it the colonial power?) Russia has a Federal semi-presidential constitutional republic. Russia is a colonial empire but persistently denies this.
Name of the NY consul general. How long has he/she been in the role?
Igor Leonidovich Golubovskiy
He has been in the role since 2017, when former consulate Sergei K. Ovsiannikov suspiciously died.
Give three potential story ideas. (Doesn’t need to be a fully fleshed-out pitch yet, but should be well thought-out.)
- Why do so many Russian-Americans support U.S right-wing conservatives?
- How has covid-19 affected the Russian-American community here in NY?
- As the case of Russian-American collusion develops, what do Russian-Americans think about it? How does Russia seemingly maintain control over the minds of people that don’t reside there?
