Rapper Young Thug was moved to call on the rap community to help the Africans being stopped from leaving Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Ukraine a threat to Russia’s existence on Feb. 24 before attacking the country.
As Ukrainians tried to leave the country for safety, Africans living in Ukraine were physically stopped from boarding trains leaving the country in favor of white Europeans. Footage of Africans being held back from boarding trains has circulated the internet.
One Nigerian student described walking for 12 hours straight just to be turned away at the Ukrainian/Polish border. The news of Africans stranded in Ukraine prompted Young Thug to say he was willing to help Africans stuck at the border on his Instagram Stories on Feb. 28.
“If some of my rap brothers are in I’m willing to help Africans get out of Ukraine,” he wrote. “However I can sense they not letting us pass,” he wrote. “Whoever holds the info for these movements please contact me ASAP I’m ready.”
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Black Africans are being treated with racism and contempt in Ukraine & Poland. West cannot ask African nations to stand in solidarity with them if they cannot display basic respect for us even in a time of war. Ignored in a pandemic and left to die in war?!! UNACCEPTABLE.
— Dr. Ayoade Alakija (@yodifiji) February 25, 2022
“‘They said if you’re black, you should walk’ Nigerian student Jessica has kept in touch with us about her journey out of Ukraine. She is among the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the country, and one of many #AfricansinUkraine who have described facing racism at borders.”
'They said if you're black, you should walk'
Nigerian student Jessica has kept in touch with us about her journey out of Ukraine. She is among the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the country, and one of many #AfricansinUkraine who have described facing racism at borders. pic.twitter.com/OTTx6wxVDY
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) March 1, 2022
A video shows Ukrainians blocking Africans from getting on rescue trains.
We stand with people of Ukraine against the unrighteous Russian invasion. But let’s take a moment to talk about racism, anti-blackness and social injustice.#AfricansinUkraine pic.twitter.com/vKoNrDJ6tJ
— Wirjil 🜲 (@Wirjil) February 27, 2022
Look at how Ukrainian forces are pushing aside the black girl while they allow a white girl. F*ck you Ukraine. #racism #AfricansinUkraine #RacistEU pic.twitter.com/QLNZyM2smX
— Miguna Jnr (@Brayson53233089) February 27, 2022
#AfricansinUkraine the community of Africans in Ukraine stranded at a boarder much of them women and children. — This is happening now
The lady in the video is holding a 2 month old and it’s 3°c outside
we are in search of aid and hostels pic.twitter.com/HzVzaNFv1w
— Damilare / ViF (@Damilare_arah) February 26, 2022
Footage of Africans being turned away in the freezing weather resulted in the hashtag #AfricansInUkraine on Twitter. At least 680,000 people have fled Ukraine for Poland. More than 84,000 made it to Hungary, and 32,500 are now in Romania. Around 32,500 people made it into Moldova and another 30,000 to Slovakia.
Most of the refugees are children and women because men between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to stay in Ukraine to fight. The foreign minister to Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, admitted that racism was a problem at its borders.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected Ukrainians and non-citizens in many devastating ways. Africans seeking evacuation are our friends and need to have equal opportunities to return to their home countries safely. Ukraine’s government spares no effort to solve the problem.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has affected Ukrainians and non-citizens in many devastating ways. Africans seeking evacuation are our friends and need to have equal opportunities to return to their home countries safely. Ukraine’s government spares no effort to solve the problem.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 1, 2022
Rapper Strick shared Young Thug’s post on his Instagram Stories with a caption calling him a young leader.
“This needs to be Shared more! I’m with your slime!” he wrote. “Proud of you brother. Always been a true leader! PURE. King Spida to the rescue!”
