“All my life, I have been a proud Ukrainian.”
“Six Days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world, thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways, but he badly miscalculated. He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would rollover. Instead, he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined. He met Ukrainian people.”
– President Joe Biden, State of the Union Address, March 1, 2022
These last few days have been emotional. Listening to friends not being able to get in contact with their friends and families, listening to a woman in church on Sunday worried for her son-in-law, 18, being called to fight on the front lines, supporting a friend who shakes in fear for her son, 13, having just escaped by himself to Poland where he lives with a family unknown to him, hearing that people are hiding in their bathrooms with clothes ready in case they need to leave in a hurry with and a plan to run to neighboring basements, listening to uncertainty for Ukraine’s future.
Despite being underground in bomb shelters, humanity has not stopped. Teachers are teaching, child cancer patients receive chemo drips, and babies are born in make-shift hospitals underground. Former Miss Universe models, heavyweight champions, and professional ballet dancers have turned soldiers on the front lines to fight. Near Kyiv, a friend of mine lives in one of these bomb shelters underneath her church with her husband and four children, one being an infant. They have made what they can of their home into an underground studio apartment. One night, her young daughter, only 4, turned to her and said, “Mama, everything is going to be OK; an angel told me so.”
In 1941, during WWII, my grandparents on my mother’s side escaped Ukraine and immigrated to America in hopes of a better future without dictatorship. In the late 40s and early 50s, my grandfather on my father’s side used his Ukrainian radio program on WPIT in Pittsburgh to guide fleeing Ukrainians on where to live so they may continue to uphold their heritage without persecution. I recently had a conversation with my grandfather, 93, and listened to his concerns about how history is repeating itself. When asked how recent events compare to the past, he states that people are still being persecuted for their freedom.
I have only ever known to be a proud Ukrainian my entire life. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I went to Ukrainian school every Saturday to learn the country’s culture, history, and heritage, and sang in the Ukrainian church choir every Sunday. I danced in Ukrainian dance ensembles, attended Ukrainian scouting camps in the summers, and later in my professional life, joined the Ukrainian community of New Jersey. Throughout my life, I’ve learned never to be afraid to show people where you come from and always be proud of your heritage.
Ukraine is a proud and peaceful nation that has never attacked its neighbors. They are the most undeserving of this unprovoked war, and I pray that people find refuge in neighboring countries to reunite with their loved ones eventually. In the past few days, thousands of Ukrainian-Americans from all over the country have rallied to show the world their heritage is not dead and have gathered to support their native country. Ukraine is strong and will prevail, but they need help. Here’s what you can do:
- Razom For Ukraine (translation: “Together” for Ukraine), an NYC-based non-profit, has gathered a list of resources for donation opportunities. Please share them with your networks and organizations.
- Supplies can be purchased tax-exempt on Amazon: Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine Amazon List
- Call the White House comment line 202-456-1111 and your representatives’ and senators’ offices. Leave a respectful message saying you support the US standing up to Putin’s unprovoked aggression.