what is your name?
and what do you stand for
It certainly isn’t easy in this time as a Ukrainian. For Ukrainians that are still in Ukraine, every day of life is a gift, you say. They are lucky. The drones and missiles that have been hitting especially hard lately barely make it into the news cycle anymore. Ukrainians with dignity and respect for their homeland outside of Ukraine – me being one of them – have to fight on the social front. I’m not talking about sharing news on social media. Although that is important, it seems that the only people who acknowledge this are other Ukrainian friends feeling the same things. When I say fight on the social front, I mean by pronouncing my name properly when meeting someone for the first time, so that they can 1) hear a Ukrainian name being pronounced in Ukrainian, 2) try pronouncing the name in Ukrainian. And, when asked if I am Ukrainian or russian, I clearly explain the difference between my name and a similar russian name.
People often want to talk about or mention their friend who is russian, or who visited russia. Why? Is it because you still think that Ukraine and russia are the same place? Is it because russia fully invaded Ukraine in 2022 and continues to wage a brutal war on civilians, and you think russia is an appropriate topic of conversation with a Ukrainian? Is it because you are “neutral and love everyone”? Is it because you live under a rock and are so self-absorbed that you don’t understand what’s going on? Is it because you are a victim of century old propaganda? Or the new propaganda? Which one? In any case, allow me to lay it out please:
1) On February 24th, 2022 russia fully invaded Ukraine (after annexing Crimea – a southern part of Ukraine – in 2014 and starting a war in the east of Ukraine, among other chunks of history)
2) russia is killing civilians all over Ukraine with missiles and drones, right now, still, yes the war is still happening.
3) When someone tells you they are Ukrainian, the last thing you want to talk to them calmly and with a smile about, is russia.
4) No it’s not just putin, it’s the entire population of that hellish country that has been brainwashed for centuries to destroy.
Watch your words. Watch your thoughts. They multiply. Admit you are wrong. If you don’t know, ask. Don’t be compliant. Stand-up.
These things have been happening lately, and always. It’s time to wake up.
Tetyana
Слава Україні 🇺🇦