That is why it is so surprising to see this story Obama Inspires Long-Shot Bid in Depths of Russia, about a black Russian citizen running for elected office. If he wins, he would be the first elected Black politician in Russia. I wish him luck.
What got me thinking is this - despite the deep ingrained racist attitudes prevalent among most Russians, Russians typically like Obama. Maybe there is hope, and some day the direction of racism can be turned in Russia.