We all practice the mental shortcut of fitting our new experiences into our past experiences. Often this practice is efficient and can save us the tedium of relearning essential lessons. But sometimes, using previously developed frames can lead to serious miscalculations. The Russian invasion of Ukraine provides a textbook study of both the benefits and costs of applying previously developed frames to our current situations. Also, this invasion shows how we can let the lack of a previously developed frame freeze our actions.
One of the frames some commentators have used is that of race. Some media commentators have used the U.S. experience with race as an overlay for understanding the discrimination faced by African and Indian students living in Ukraine. As these nonwhite students fled the Russian onslaught, some Ukrainian officials refused them access to the trains and buses provided for Ukrainians. Black and brown students, however, are not Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainian officials may have considered Ukrainian citizens at greater risk than international students. Alternatively, officials may have believed that the wives and children of Ukrainian men who fought Russian soldiers deserved special privileges. In either event, racial discrimination is always wrong. But commentators should not suggest that the discrimination faced by international students fleeing Russian invaders is the same as the racial discrimination faced by U.S. nonwhite citizens in the U.S.
One of the frames some commentators have used is that of race. Some media commentators have used the U.S. experience with race as an overlay for understanding the discrimination faced by African and Indian students living in Ukraine. As these nonwhite students fled the Russian onslaught, some Ukrainian officials refused them access to the trains and buses provided for Ukrainians. Black and brown students, however, are not Ukrainian citizens. Ukrainian officials may have considered Ukrainian citizens at greater risk than international students. Alternatively, officials may have believed that the wives and children of Ukrainian men who fought Russian soldiers deserved special privileges. In either event, racial discrimination is always wrong. But commentators should not suggest that the discrimination faced by international students fleeing Russian invaders is the same as the racial discrimination faced by U.S. nonwhite citizens in the U.S.