LET’S TALK ABOUT UKRAINE (NOT “THE UKRAINE”)
If you know me personally you know that I am a Ukrainian. A proud Ukrainian. I was born in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine about 3 hours driving south of Lviv. My entire family is Ukrainian and we moved to the United States when I was a few years old. Growing up I attended Ukrainian school every Saturday so that I could learn how to read, write, and speak the language fluently. My parents were both Musicians in Ukraine, and my father later changed career paths to become a Ukrainian Christian Orthodox Priest. To say the least, being Ukrainian has always and will always be a strong part of my identity.
The war with Ukraine is nothing new. Post-Soviet Union there has always been tension with the Russian government, and in 2014 Russia annexed Crimea which was extremely devastating for Ukrainians. On February 24th, 2022 Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, bombing major cities, targeting civilians, airports, kindergartens, hospitals, and so much more. Cities have been destroyed and people have no choice but to try and flee to surrounding countries where they may not speak the language or know anyone there.
What can you do to help? I put together a list of reputable organizations you can donate to here. If you aren’t at a place where you can donate please share the information you see on social media! Russia is using intense propaganda strategies to spread fake news to Russians, and they’re going as far as convincing Russians that the United States is pro-war with Ukraine.
If you’re a student at UCONN, follow @usa_uconn (Ukrainian Student Association on Instagram) for updates on the latest donation drives/fundraisers to raise money towards charitable organizations that will have a direct impact. Lastly, check in on your Ukrainian friends. This is the worst thing that could possibly be happening to our home and our families and it’s more important than ever to show these people your support.
Lastly, it’s not The Ukraine. William Taylor stated it best, “The Ukraine is the way the Russians referred to that part of the country during Soviet times … Now that it is a country, a nation, and a recognized state, it is just Ukraine. And it is incorrect to refer to the Ukraine, even though a lot of people do it.”
