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As private citizens, you can accomplish many important things if you follow the work of your elected officials at all levels, compliment them on their good deeds or protest if your social concerns are ignored. Remember, that this process is a two way street and you must give to receive. Your telephone calls and letters matter; when the time comes to ask for help or extend an invitation to our events, they will respond to familiar names far better than to requests from strangers. I turn now to some very problematic events that are emerging in Ukraine, within our own Diaspora, and even within the UNWLA. Recently, Soyuz Ukrainok in Zaporizhia wrote to us about problems they have with the Ukrainian language in their region. There is more and more pressure to speak Russian. Here in the United States, the Russian language is infiltrating our community in a more subtle way. In one Ukrainian Church, for example, the pastor invited a group of young singers from Russia. They sang Russian songs and later the priest asked the congregation to be generous with donation for an orphanage supported by the group. I have never heard of a Russian church giving donation to Ukrainian orphanages, and was shocked to hear about this turn of events. What was even more shocking was that there was not one word of protest to the priest. Not long ago, a new pre-kindergarten teacher from Ukraine in UNWLA preschool class started singing Russian songs to the children. When the other teacher asked what she was doing, she said that Ukraine is independent and now we can speak Russian. Another Ukrainian Diaspora institution recently hosted a screening of a Russian-language film, undermining the work of community activists who are supporting dissemination of excellent Ukrainian-language films that have recently become available. Another example that I would like to bring to your attention was related to me by a woman who belongs to a parish now served by a priest from Ukraine. The woman overheard the children of the priest while they were playing a game, speaking in Russian. When she asked why they were speaking Russian instead of Ukrainian, they replied that the Russian language is so melodious that it is pleasure to speak. Ironically, those are the same words I heard in 1972 when I was in Ukraine—from young people brainwashed by a government determined to eradicate the Ukrainian language by any means possible. The UNWLA has worked hard for 81 years to keep our traditions, culture, and language intact. It is now obvious that we must once more serve as the guardians of all these treasures. Sadly, our community has recently lost an individual who was also dedicated to his Ukrainian roots and who adamantly refused to be labeled Russian. I am referring to the well known actor of motion pictures and television of Ukrainian descent, Jack Palance, who courageously walked out of an awards ceremony, refusing to participate in an event during which he was to be presented an award as a “Russian” actor. We mourn the loss of Mr. Palance; his allegiance to Ukraine and to the United States should serve as an inspiration to all of us. I end this month’s message to readers with an announcement that we have at long last completed renovating both floors of our building. The UNWLA still needs funds to cover the cost of these renovations and I hope that our members and readers will be generous during this season of giving.
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