The sport I’m most passionate about is ice hockey. It’s probably no coincidence that it’s filled with Russian players. I’m a bit of a Russophile, having studied Russian history as an undergrad at Brandeis and focused on the post-Soviet space for my Master’s degree at the London School of Economics. I’ve always felt a connection to the country and its people.
It deeply saddens me to see a rise in anti-Russian sentiment and, especially, a demand among some hockey fans and even journalists that Russian hockey players take a stand on the war. First, there is the existential issue. Russian players don’t have the luxury of openly stating their opinion. It’s their family back home who could pay the price.
But on a fundamental level, I don’t believe it’s right to ask individuals to answer for the actions of their government.
When I first moved overseas, it was shortly after the outbreak of the Iraq War. I was constantly confronted by anti-American sentiment, with individuals demanding of me accountability for US actions.
As an American Jew it was even worse, because of course I was also asked to defend Israeli policy. I don’t mind getting into political discussions, but not when I am being personally accused of things over which I have no control.
I’ve never asked for this accountability from others. There were many Germans in my study abroad program, one of whom became a very close friend. I knew that she respected my religious background, and respected me, and I didn’t need to ask her to answer for Germany’s actions in WW II. Other German friends of mine volunteered their viewpoint, and that was fine too, and indeed we each learned a lot from those conversations.
People have the right to identify with their ethnicity and culture, separate from what their government might be doing at any given time.
One of the first weeks of my graduate program, a French student attacked me for something Israel had done that month (I can’t remember what). I had a strong reaction, explaining to him first that I’m not Israeli, but also that it’s very personal and existential, and I would be happy to speak about the topic, but not within an accusatory framework. We became good friends and yes, we did talk about and disagree on Israeli policy.
We have so much to learn from each other, but holding individuals accountable for things they have no control over isn’t the way to start a fruitful dialogue.
Shana Goldberg may be reached at shana@ijn.com
