Whenever I see opinion poll maps on :reddit-logo: from Europe with questions like

  • Would you be ok with your son/daughter dating a person of a different race?

  • Would you be comfortable with your son/daughter dating a member of the same sex?

  • My country has too many immigrants, yes or no?

There is always a very noticeable difference between Western and Eastern Europe, with the West (and Scandanavia) being WAY more progressive, and Eastern European / former Soviet states being exceedingly conservative, particularly countries like Czech.

Why is this?

Maybe I'm just naive but I would think that the legacy of the USSR would cause the exact opposite tendency.

I also have no real context as I have never stepped foot in The Old World.

  • kristina [she/her]
    ·
    2 years ago

    some of the poll maps are very suspicious. the word 'black' can have many meanings in eastern europe (which tbh are somewhat problematic), it can suggest youre a thief if someone calls you black (think black market). a lot of black people refer to themselves as brown in czechia as a result from what ive seen. anyone brown, including roma and turks, are regularly called black as an insult/skin color hybrid deal though plenty of people seem to be aware this is an issue.

    i dont really think eastern europe is any worse than western europe (re: holy fuck its all so bad)

    i cant really say i know much about race relations in czechia because i think i only have met one roma person from czechia, never seen black people or anything there. very white place its a little jarring after living in america so long to go there again