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OUR LIFE M O N T H L Y , 'published by Ukrainian National W om ens League of America Vol. XXVII. JANUARY 1970 No. 1 The Sense of Belonging In December of last year ap peals from UNWLA Branch 32 in Newark appeared in our Eng- lish-language press urging American-born women to join the ranks of the Ukrainian Na tional Women’s League. The ap peals, signed by Branch secre tary Mrs. Maria Rohowska, list ed many reasons why our Amer ican-born women should join UNWLA and one of these was a sense of belonging. The latter is thought-provok ing. In American society there is a wide variety of groups united by a common faith and ethnic bonds. Dr. John J. Appel defined them in his lecture “Ethnic Loy alties” as a group whose culture is different from the larger so- Lena Kostenko ciety in which its members live. He describes culture “as the to tal living patterns of a group: their customs, beliefs, ideals, symbols, art and faith.” This background is a strong tie which is keeping its members together for two, three or even more gen erations. Some ethnic groups preserve their individuality for long pe riods of tim e; others do not. It depends on their membership, degree of national consciousness and leadership. But, neverthe less, everyday life shows that even in times of strongest “melting pot” pressure these groups have survived. It is true that there are many factors aiding assimilation which separate the younger generation from the ethnic groups. But the majority remains, nonetheless. This is where the sense of be longing comes in. What individual, what family doesn’t want to have this feel ing? From childhood we remem ber our native customs — the traditional Christmas Eve sup per in the midst of our family, the blessing of the food^on East er Day. These customs are rich in beliefs and symbols and our outlook is formed in this atmos phere. It is further strengthened by our native arts and crafts and uplifted by our faith in life’s ideal. For this reason each commun ity is guided by its own customs and traditions. It becomes a part of American life but maintains its own individual coloring. An individual feels best in this type of situation. He “belongs,” feels at home in the community. He gives it his strength and his en thusiasm, and in turn, derives his confidence from it. This eth nic community is his support. Mrs. Rohowska’s appeal is based on this fact a fact which based on this fact, a fact which organize UNWLA Branch 32 in Newark, N. J. The Branch Chris tening Party wil be held on Feb ruary 15. We hope that this af fair will bring together not only the members of the Branch, but all those women who hope to find their sense of belonging in the midst of their own group. Dr. John J. Appel was keynote speaker at the Conference “The Ukrainian Image in a World of Today and Tomorrow” sponsored by the UNWLA Regional Con ference of Chicago on May 24-25, 1969. GOOD-BYE ! Good-bye, dear! and have a pleasant journey! The clanging wheels fling back at me again Sunset left a fragrance sweet as honey. Yellow amber smells almost the same. Evening emerging from the canyon, like a bear emerging from his den, slowly reaches over the horizon for the honey, with a furry hand. And the stars, defending precious honey, sting the bear, while swarming from the sky Your train is gone . . Have a happy journey! Farewell, dear, and Good-bye! Translated from Ukrainian by Tetiana Shevchuk Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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