Viewpoints writer Maya Cornish volunteers for the University of Georgia Russian Club booth at the International Street Festival on April 7. Cornish likes to be involved with the Russian Club to help improve her learning and respect for her own Russian heritage. Photo courtesy of Yana Cornish
Viewpoints writer Maya Cornish shares her experience with a Russian family and the stereotypes that sometimes go along with it.
“Привет, меня зовут Мая Корниш. Я из Русской семьи и я этим горжусь.”
Hi, my name is Maya Cornish. I’m from a Russian family and proud of it.
I was born in America, but my first language was Russian, since that’s all my family spoke when I was born. I didn’t learn how to speak or write in English until I began kindergarten.
I’m very proud of being Russian, but the United States’ media doesn’t portray us positively. We are seen as liars, cold-hearted and out for our own personal gain.
Viewpoints writer Maya Cornish shares anecdotes involving her Russian heritage.
Because of past history and a few harsh Russian historical leaders, specifically Stalin and Putin, the entire country and its people are stereotyped negatively.
Whenever I mention to a crowd of people that I am Russian, there is always a subtle moment of silence, a subtle flash across their faces of the thought “Is she one of us?”
I am often bombarded with questions about Russia and my heritage, which I happily answer to help dispel those stereotypes.
I’m asked how to say “grandmother” in Russian (it’s BAH-boosh-ka, not bah-BOOSH-ka), if I was born here, if I am a full-blooded Russian (no, only on my mom’s side) and if I know the Russian national anthem (I don’t, but I think it’s really pretty).
Viewpoints writer Maya Cornish (far right) stands with her grandmother Luba Yanushkevich (second to right) before she and her brothers head back home to Georgia from California. Yanushkevich came to the United States when Cornish was born 16 years ago, and Cornish admires how Yanushkevich worked so hard to learn English, become a citizen and make a home in the United States. Photo courtesy of Yana Cornish
Because I was not raised in Russia, I have attempted to advance my understanding of the fascinating language and culture, most recently through attending summer camps at the University of North Georgia focused on the culture and the language. I learned how to write in cursive, which every Russian does, and all six of the Russian grammar cases (English has three).
I do my best to be able to teach people what Russians are actually like, and, step-by-step, change the perspective of Russians and the Russian culture, despite negative portrayals perpetuated by the media.
I love being Russian, I love the vibrant Russian culture and I love how I get the chance to see the world in another way.
