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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Stepan Kohut on September 10, 2005 at 08:44:34:
What happened yesterday is nothing new in Ukrainan history. For hundreds of years, Ukrainians have split against each other, failing to realize that with unity, they can grow as a country. Ukrainians are at fault for the disintegration of Kievan Rus, when the Princes couldn't get along with one another thereby leaving open to invasion from the Mongols. Ukrainains are at fault for starting the 'great ruin' in 1659 when after Hetman Vyhovsky decimated the Russian armies at Konotop, he chose a practical course of reaching understanding with the Poles instead of continuing the 'alliance' with Russia. Many people including many Kozaks thought it better to side with Russia and you know what happened after that.
The Ukrainian governments fell in 1917,1918 mostly because of internal divisions, not because of the Russian army.
It is in the Ukrainian's blood that he or she knows what's best for the country and everybody else is wrong. Everybody wants to be the chief. If you look here in the U.S.A, the diaspora exhibits many of the same traits. In Warren, Michigan, there are 2 Ukrainian banks side by side, 2 cultural centers side by side, 2 senior citizen complexes within a couple miles apart Why? Because after one party comes up with an idea to build something for the Ukrainian community, some other group feels they can do better so they construct the same thing.
I am a member of Knights of Columbus in my Ukrainian church. One of our ideas last spring to raise money for a new Church roof was to hold a teen dance and invited all the Ukrainian schools in the Detroit area. Bad idea! After we proposed charging $5 for each student while we supplied music and drinks, the schools on the west side of town refused to take part in our fundraiser unless they got a cut of the profits.
I have heard of other Ukrainian communities in NewYork, Chicago, etc bicker with each other instead of taking care of its own. I am not sure where alot of this arrogance comes from. Ukraine isn't exactly a country which has done world wonders in technological advances, military prowess, etc. I know they love to buy expensive cell phones and cars on a $150/month salary.
Your thoughts please?