Posted by Vasyljko on November 23, 2003 at 22:01:35:
In Reply to: Re: RUSYNS AND UKRAINIANS posted by tetyana on November 23, 2003 at 13:09:13:
Dear tetyana,
You are fully entitled to be proud of Ukraine and I do think that it is correct. I never claimed that all Ukrainians are ashamed of Ukraine. Of course, you have right to think who is Ukrainian who is not. However, that is a very basic human right issue of each and every individual to decide his or her nationality (ethnicity) irrespective of being proud or not proud of Ukraine. Furthermore, even the most ardent nationalist or patriotic Ukrainian has no right to interfere in this. I have no problem with your nationalism. I do have problem with those nationalists who are convinced that they have a right to determine who is who. I do not worry about extinction of the word "Rusyn" since it has been officially in use in nine countries. Ukraine would be the tenth one. It is sad that the word "Rusyn" is not used in Ukraine, in a country where majority of Rusyns live. It also shows how slowly Ukraine has been progressing toward democracy because Rusyn nationality should not be an issue in a democratic country. You are right "in english grammar they would spell " the Ukraine" but not in the English language.
Regards,
V.