A blind Russian and a White Russian are two very different things. At first glance, the terms may seem similar or even interchangeable. However, they refer to completely separate concepts.
A blind Russian is a person from Russia who is visually impaired or blind. Russia has a long history of supporting and assisting blind individuals that dates back centuries. Today, there are over 120,000 registered blind people in Russia, though the actual number may be higher when accounting for those not registered.
In contrast, a White Russian is an alcoholic cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream that has a milky white color. It’s a popular drink that has been around since the early 20th century and is served in bars and restaurants around the world.
While a blind Russian refers to a person and a White Russian refers to a drink, some key differences between the two are:
Human vs Beverage
The most obvious difference is that one term refers to a person – someone of Russian descent who is blind or visually impaired – while the other refers to an inanimate object, a mixed alcoholic drink.
A blind Russian is a living, breathing human being with thoughts, emotions, relationships, abilities and disabilities. A White Russian is a cocktail made from ingredients like vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. One has consciousness, the other does not.
Origin and History
The term “blind Russian” refers to blindness in Russia, which has a long documented history. Russia opened its first school for the blind in 1806 and established the Russian Blind Society in 1915. Russia also developed its own Braille alphabet in the 1800s.
Meanwhile, the White Russian cocktail is relatively modern, first appearing in the early 20th century. It became popular during the Russian Revolution and its origins are disputed – some say it was created by a Belgian bartender in the 1910s, others say it was made by American expats in the 1920s.
Purpose and Use
Blind Russians are regular people who happen to be visually impaired. They live, work and participate in society like anyone else. The term is used to indicate blindness specifically in those of Russian descent.
A White Russian is solely an alcoholic cocktail. It is ordered and consumed for refreshment and intoxication, usually in a bar or restaurant. The term only refers to the drink itself.
Composition
Blind Russians are composed of flesh and blood, organs and tissues. They have complex human bodies.
A White Russian is a simple mixture of vodka, coffee liqueur like Kahlua and cream or milk. The ingredients are combined with ice in a glass to create the beverage.
Legality
There are no laws pertaining to the existence or rights of blind Russians. They have the same legal rights as any sighted person.
As an alcoholic beverage, the production, sale, possession and consumption of White Russians is regulated by laws around alcohol and regulated substances. For example, White Russians can only be sold and consumed legally by those above the legal drinking age.
Demographics
Blind Russians belong to various demographics depending on factors like age, gender, ethnicity, education, location and socioeconomic status.
White Russians have no inherent demographics, though consumption patterns indicate they are more popular among younger adults and tend to be consumed socially.
A Closer Look at Blind Russians
Now that we’ve compared some key differences, let’s take a closer look at blind Russians specifically. Here’s an overview of this demographic:
Prevalence of Blindness in Russia
Russia is home to over 120,000 registered blind citizens. The most common causes are retinal pathology (27.2%), glaucoma (15.5%), cataracts (10.2%), myopia (9.9%), and trachoma (6.2%). However, actual numbers may be higher when accounting for unregistered blind people.
History of Blindness in Russia
Blindness has a long documented history in Russia:
- 1806 – Russia opened its first school for the blind in Pavlovsk.
- 1808 – Dr. Johann Wilhelm Klein founded the Institute for the Blind in St. Petersburg.
- 1860s – More schools for the blind opened across the country.
- Late 1800s – A modified Russian Braille alphabet was developed.
- 1915 – The Russian Blind Society formed to further support the blind.
- 1931 – The All-Russia Association of the Blind established as a nationwide organization.
Russia was relatively progressive in early services and education for the blind compared to other nations. However, services declined after the Russian revolution until more modern disability rights laws were passed in the 1990s.
Government Programs and Laws
Historically, Russia provided pensions, education, rehabilitation, employment services, and social integration for the blind:
- 1981 – Basic government protections established for disabled citizens.
- 1991 – Better support formally codified in the Law on Social Protection of Disabled Persons.
- 1995 – Federal law guaranteed access, services and benefits for the disabled.
- 2012 – Russia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Today, the blind can qualify for pensions, mobility tools, eduction accommodations, workplace accommodations, assisted living services, and rehabilitation programs. However, adequacy of services varies across Russia’s population centers.
Social Perception and Culture
Historically, Russian culture tended to treat the blind with pity rather than emphasizing their abilities and potential. However, perception has improved in recent decades:
- Soviet propaganda first presented the blind as able rather than disabled.
- Blind Russians were given opportunities to work and study.
- Modern laws have aimed to increase accessibility and rights.
- Sports, arts, music and entertainment highlight the capabilities of the blind.
Still, discrimination remains an issue today. Younger generations tend to have more positive attitudes toward the blind than older generations.
Education for the Blind
Russia has over 50 boarding schools specifically oriented toward educating blind students. Some key aspects include:
- Emphasis on life skills, mobility, touch reading, and vocational skills.
- Modified textbooks, screen reading technology, tactile graphics and disability aides.
- Mainstreaming into general education classes as appropriate.
- Continued education, job training, and independent living skills after school.
The availability and quality of accommodations varies between urban and rural areas. But education access has improved in recent decades.
Employment for the Blind
Working-age blind adults in Russia face high unemployment and underemployment due to accessibility challenges and employer discrimination. However, some occupations include:
- Telephone and radio operators
- Typists and data entry clerks
- Musicians and piano tuners
- Craftspeople and artisans
- Writers, poets, and journalists
- Teachers and professors
- Computer programmers and IT professionals
With accommodations, blind people can perform diverse professional roles. But negative attitudes among employers continue to limit job prospects.
Key Takeaways
In summary, the key points about the differences between blind Russians and White Russians include:
- Blind Russians are people of Russian descent who are blind or visually impaired.
- White Russians are alcoholic cocktails made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream.
- Blind Russians have a long history in Russia, while White Russians originated in the 1900s.
- One refers to living humans, the other to an inanimate beverage.
- They have completely different purposes, compositions, demographics and legal statuses.
Although their names may sound similar, blind Russians and White Russians refer to very distinct concepts. Hopefully this overview has helped clarify the differences between the two!