A great testimonial and reminder that ordinary people can make a very big difference.
We can all: contacting representatives many times a week to support Ukraine and to not force them into capitulation; by writing letters to the editor of their local paper letting them know they do not agree with what is being done to our country and demand accountability in reporting; by attending rallies in support of Ukraine and US democracy; by displaying flags (both US and Ukrainian); by giving as little or as much as they can to causes which further what they believe in.
We all must do what we can.
If anyone needs help on any of the above, please reply in comments.
Thank you for your courage. Ukrainian people like you have so inspired me. So much heart and clarity. Vision. Zelensky is the leader we wish all countries had, imo. "In the end, everything that was ever possible to change and achieve was not because the absolute majority of people supported it, but because relatively small groups of caring and proactive people didn’t give up and kept pushing until they saw the change."
Even just strongly from our hearts wanting human rights upheld is contribution to mass conciousness imo.
So well said. That's been my experience too. A panel of some of the most experienced organizers I've ever met put it this way: "We're looking for the people who are looking for us." Your writing is always heartening, thank you.
I used to be a very quiet, almost invisibe activist. I would challenge others one on one, but rarely to even a small group, and almost never on public media.
The one exception was in 2011 when Assad started the war against the population in Syria, because some teenagers wrote some graffiti he didn't like. Then I started contributing to a facebook page on the war there, until facebook blocked me about 2 years later, for some unknown reason.
But it is which you, Darya, that I really started being active in expressing my opinions publicly. At first on Ukraine, then on trumpism, on Gaza/Paletine & Israel, among other things.
Always the same focus, on justice.
Little comments here and there sometimes bring many positive responses.
So true, my friend. So true. We can't change people. But we can find our friends, our tribe, and work together. And we can do amazing things when we work together.
I'm one of those with the barest minimum of ties to Ukraine, just small puzzle pieces garnered over the decades, but if there was ever a reason for me to become an activist about anything, it's Ukraine. Because it's quite simply the right thing to do. I couldn't do anything else and live with myself.
Everybody reacts in their own way to event - personal, national and global one. I had always had strong beliefs and morals about the world and my place in it but I had never really acted on them before - always an observer and never an observed. War is all over the place and is never ending, just look at events in Gaza and the Congo. But there was something about the invasion of Ukraine, the sheer and blatant unjustness of the act, that provoked me and my wife into a reaction. We hosted Ukrainian refugees, joined a refugee support group, started learning about Ukraine’s history and culture and still hope that something good and just can be salvaged from the war. Best thing we ever did.
Hi, Darya. I’m a 1st-generation Polish-American, born and raised in the US, never lived in Poland or knew that much about Eastern European history and I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your writing and your work.
The fact that you are originally from Belarus, have Ukrainian family and now live in the US gives your work a very unique perspective. To me you are like a cultural interpreter as well as a clear and strong voice in this chaotic time we are living through. On a personal note it was especially interesting for me to learn (through the link you posted to the BNR Rada website) about the coat of arms from the 19th century uprisings against Russian rule which contains the Pahonia, Archangel Michael and the White Eagle together.
Recently I attended a rally for Ukraine here in Chicago and am planning on going to more. I see the protests in Europe and other parts of the world as part of the same fight and I think that more and more Americans will be protesting now. And I’m glad to know that your family members are doing okay in Poland and that the orchids are blooming again. Thank you.
Dear Darya, Thank you for this - just the words I needed to read. So much of what you wrote is recognizable to my own situation and I agree; doing whatever is in our power with like-minded people can, even little by little, change the world. I am currently contemplating on how I can turn my own little efforts of support into something more valuable still. And, yes, finding people around you who are open to the cause, whatever it may be, is life-changing. Since the start of the war, for me, the cause has become Ukraine. There is no world in which I can conceive people (also those now in occupied territories) being left behind. So, I think, we simply have a moral duty to do whatever we can to help. While I am growing in this very intention, I wish you every motivation to go on. The road is long, but ultimately peace and light must emerge from the darkness. If we keep going, eventually it will. Every warmth to you! Veronique
A great testimonial and reminder that ordinary people can make a very big difference.
We can all: contacting representatives many times a week to support Ukraine and to not force them into capitulation; by writing letters to the editor of their local paper letting them know they do not agree with what is being done to our country and demand accountability in reporting; by attending rallies in support of Ukraine and US democracy; by displaying flags (both US and Ukrainian); by giving as little or as much as they can to causes which further what they believe in.
We all must do what we can.
If anyone needs help on any of the above, please reply in comments.
Here is a poem for this moment:
https://poetryforthismoment.tiiny.site/Question-n-Answer-E-Aunapuu.png
Thank you for your support and activism, Mark!
Thank you for your courage. Ukrainian people like you have so inspired me. So much heart and clarity. Vision. Zelensky is the leader we wish all countries had, imo. "In the end, everything that was ever possible to change and achieve was not because the absolute majority of people supported it, but because relatively small groups of caring and proactive people didn’t give up and kept pushing until they saw the change."
Even just strongly from our hearts wanting human rights upheld is contribution to mass conciousness imo.
Thank you for your support!
*I’m a Belarusian, but my husband is Ukrainian.
It's really heartening to hear Americans are doing that. In large numbers, do you think?
I don’t know about the numbers, but I think many people became engaged and active right now.
So well said. That's been my experience too. A panel of some of the most experienced organizers I've ever met put it this way: "We're looking for the people who are looking for us." Your writing is always heartening, thank you.
Thank you, Rob! Love this quote, so true!
I used to be a very quiet, almost invisibe activist. I would challenge others one on one, but rarely to even a small group, and almost never on public media.
The one exception was in 2011 when Assad started the war against the population in Syria, because some teenagers wrote some graffiti he didn't like. Then I started contributing to a facebook page on the war there, until facebook blocked me about 2 years later, for some unknown reason.
But it is which you, Darya, that I really started being active in expressing my opinions publicly. At first on Ukraine, then on trumpism, on Gaza/Paletine & Israel, among other things.
Always the same focus, on justice.
Little comments here and there sometimes bring many positive responses.
Until this article, I didn't think of "activist".
All my life I have thought about justice.
You are the inspiration that made me act.
Thank you for sharing and for your activism, André! And thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot to hear that!
So true, my friend. So true. We can't change people. But we can find our friends, our tribe, and work together. And we can do amazing things when we work together.
I'm one of those with the barest minimum of ties to Ukraine, just small puzzle pieces garnered over the decades, but if there was ever a reason for me to become an activist about anything, it's Ukraine. Because it's quite simply the right thing to do. I couldn't do anything else and live with myself.
Thank you, Laurel! And thank you for all you do to help Ukraine!
Everybody reacts in their own way to event - personal, national and global one. I had always had strong beliefs and morals about the world and my place in it but I had never really acted on them before - always an observer and never an observed. War is all over the place and is never ending, just look at events in Gaza and the Congo. But there was something about the invasion of Ukraine, the sheer and blatant unjustness of the act, that provoked me and my wife into a reaction. We hosted Ukrainian refugees, joined a refugee support group, started learning about Ukraine’s history and culture and still hope that something good and just can be salvaged from the war. Best thing we ever did.
Thank you for your support and activism, David!
Very inspiring and true.
Thank you!
Hi, Darya. I’m a 1st-generation Polish-American, born and raised in the US, never lived in Poland or knew that much about Eastern European history and I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your writing and your work.
The fact that you are originally from Belarus, have Ukrainian family and now live in the US gives your work a very unique perspective. To me you are like a cultural interpreter as well as a clear and strong voice in this chaotic time we are living through. On a personal note it was especially interesting for me to learn (through the link you posted to the BNR Rada website) about the coat of arms from the 19th century uprisings against Russian rule which contains the Pahonia, Archangel Michael and the White Eagle together.
Recently I attended a rally for Ukraine here in Chicago and am planning on going to more. I see the protests in Europe and other parts of the world as part of the same fight and I think that more and more Americans will be protesting now. And I’m glad to know that your family members are doing okay in Poland and that the orchids are blooming again. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your words of support, Paul! I’m glad my work resonates with you. Happy to have you among my readers!
Dear Darya, Thank you for this - just the words I needed to read. So much of what you wrote is recognizable to my own situation and I agree; doing whatever is in our power with like-minded people can, even little by little, change the world. I am currently contemplating on how I can turn my own little efforts of support into something more valuable still. And, yes, finding people around you who are open to the cause, whatever it may be, is life-changing. Since the start of the war, for me, the cause has become Ukraine. There is no world in which I can conceive people (also those now in occupied territories) being left behind. So, I think, we simply have a moral duty to do whatever we can to help. While I am growing in this very intention, I wish you every motivation to go on. The road is long, but ultimately peace and light must emerge from the darkness. If we keep going, eventually it will. Every warmth to you! Veronique
Dear Veronique, thank you so much for your kind words and support! ❤️
Thank you, Steve!