Week 4: News Article Blog - Dan

“Russian Youth Group With a Mission: Sniffing Out Illegal Migrants” by Andrew Roth – Blog Response

(Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/world/europe/russian-youth-group-with-a-mission-sniffing-out-illegal-migrants.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0 )

This article, taken from the September 3, 2013 issue of the New York Times, descries a vigilante group in Russia that aids the government in their crackdown on illegal immigration. The article is quite bleak, as the group, ‘Moscow Shield’, represents the ongoing suppression of human rights that is commonplace in modern Russia. Moscow Shield consists of young men and women who seek out migrant workers, whom they feel do not belong in their community. Once they locate the migrants, the group contacts the police, and then detains the migrants until the police arrive.

The Russian government’s recent quelling of social justice first came to national attention in the U.S. following the legal action taken against the human rights activism group Pussy Riot. Pussy Riot was taken to court over its public displays of anti-government and anti-religious beliefs. They have since gained notoriety around the world, but several of its members have been imprisoned, and its future put in doubt. On top of this, Russia’s opposition to gay rights has made headlines of late, as some countries have hinted at withdrawing from the February 2014 Winter Olympics due to the government’s anti-homosexuality stance. Such an action would be bold, as the Olympics represent global togetherness and athletic achievement, and such a lack of involvement would leave an asterisk serving as a longstanding reminder of the matter. In the wake of this situation there has been an increase in violent attacks on homosexuals in Russia, and just within the past week, a seemingly archaic law was passed that forbids the mention of homosexuality around a minor.

            There are many challenging issues within this article. A major concern that Mr. Roth brings up is, where do you draw the line in how civilians and the government coexist regarding the enforcement of law? This relates directly to our studies regarding communities, as one of the main tenets of community is the rule of law. When the rule of law seems tenuous, a community is put in a difficult position. The KKK became a major vigilante force for “white power” in the South for many years, which included coordinating with local police forces. In Nazi Germany, the hatred of Jews and other “undesirables”, which was backed by local authorities and eventually became part of Hitler’s main platform, was a major part of the lead-up to WWII and the Holocaust. A much closer parallel is with the unsanctioned individuals and groups that patrol the U.S. – Mexico border with the hopes of stopping illegal border crossings. These people are doing what they feel is best for the country. However, they are taking a very heavy subject, illegal immigration, within their own hands, and seemingly doing so without concern of the complexity of the matter. Moscow Shield is doing an identical task, also with what they believe to be the best of intentions.

“We are not there to beat them or punish them. We are there to achieve justice.” This quote from a member of Moscow Shield, who most likely does not recognize the weight of such words, shows the naivety of the group’s actions. For many of these migrants, who live in substandard conditions, work unfavorable jobs, and risk constant harassment, all for the hope of a better life for them and their offspring, this “justice” is clearly a punishment.