ADVERTISEMENT
Borys Kosarev: Modernist Kharkiv, 1915-1931 at The Ukrainian Museum thru May 2, 2012
Posted by habelok on March 29, 2000 at 14:13:39:
Permission has been granted by The Ukrainian Observer to reprint the article below.
http://www.ukraine-observer.com/observer.html
Ukraine to Diaspora: Lighten Up
By Glen Willard
Two print items caught my eye last week. Together they brought
some thoughts I've had in my head for some time to the fore again.
The items both concerned language usage. Specifically, the
widespread use of the Russian language in independent Ukraine.
One item was an article in the very entertaining and well read
magazine WHAT'S ON titled " So, Like, How About Speaking
Ukrainian". The second item was a letter to the editor in the KYIV
POST. Both items appear to have been written by Ukrainian
diaspora. Both items clearly were taking Russian speaking
Ukrainians to task for not speaking in Ukraine's official tongue.
What brought this to the fore for me is that (1) I've seen similar
articles and items in the two years I've lived in Kyiv; and (2) some
observations I've made in those same two years about Ukrainian
diaspora.
Before I start however, a disclaimer of sorts. First, I'm from a family
reputed to be of Scot-Irish ancestry. Actually. I don't think I'd want to
delve too far into the subject. Suffice it to say that I'm American with
no discernible Ukrainian blood and, I think, no axes to grind.
Most of the Ukrainians I know here in Kyiv are young or relatively
young. Virtually all speak Russian as they communicate with each
other and in society. I think most are proud Ukrainians and are
happy to live in independent Ukraine. I somehow don't think most
are ashamed of other Ukrainians who speak Ukrainian. I have
noticed some young people who move to Kyiv and begin
immediately to attempt to learn better Russian. From this I don't
read anything unpatriotic. Maybe just a desire to communicate as
their new peers do.
Now. I believe it to be a desirable objective to spread the use of the
Ukrainian language. Programs that encourage its use over time
will eventually be successful. In the long haul I think this likely. But,
history tells me that 350 or so years of attempted Russification of
these lands called Ukraine can't be overcome overnight. Also, I
understand, that statistics show that slightly over 20% of the
population of Ukraine are Russian.
Now. To the Diaspora (capital D this time). Why is it that I get the
feeling that many disapora have a superior attitude when dealing
with their native brethren? Is it just me that see this?
Somehow I don't think disapora Ukrainians are more intelligent or,
even, necessarily better educated than Ukrainians. I suspect that
some diaspora, having been taught in diaspora schools in the
U.S., Canada, or elsewhere, may speak a technically more correct
Ukrainian than many Ukrainians. I'm confident that most diaspora
are far wealthier and have far more disposable income than typical
Ukrainians. I'm also confident that most diaspora that today visit
Ukraine (and I mean visit, even though the visits are sometimes
lengthy) have never lived under a totalitarian government. Maybe
some of their grandparents did. But, everyone in this land over the
ages of 18 to 20 has some recollection of oppression and a
closed society.
I've seen and heard disapora Ukrainians laughing and being
condescending to Ukrainians. I've seen them mock some customs
as though Ukrainians didn't know the "real rules". They seem to
forget that in this vast land with its many regions and subregions,
there are many and differing customs. It's not only the Russians
that have been here but also the Poles, the Austrians, the
Lithuanians among others. The "one size fits all" of the disapora
education may not fit the collage of people and customs that are a
part of this country.
Now, I want to quote for a moment a part of the letter to the editor
writer to the Kyiv Post as perhaps illustrative of what I mean by a
condescending and superior attitude. The letter writer is from the
U.S. "Poles don't speak Russian and don't crave to unite with
Russia, and Russians don't speak Ukrainian and don't want to be
called Little Ukrainians. Why is it wrong for the diaspora to demand
a similar attitude of Ukrainians?"
Did the guy say "demand"? Whose Army is he leading? "You boys
can step back now, the disapora is here. We'll lead this fight. But,
we demand you follow us." Gimme a break! Is he Napoleon or
Custer? Maybe in reality he represents the people referred to in a
famous pamphlet written sometime back..."the summer soldier
and the sunshine patriot".
Really, from America he could join a real fight and maybe be of
some help to Ukraine and a few of us expats too. Teach people
there about Ukraine. Teach that it is, outside of Russia, the largest
nation in Europe. Teach that it has 50 million well-educated
people. Teach that it is an independent nation. Teach that it is a
democracy with growing pains, but a democracy, nonetheless.
Spread the word Disapora. To all the lands. Then one day some of
us can tell people we live in Ukraine. We can tell people we live in
the beautiful capital city of Kyiv. And not have the response---"So,
how are things in Russia? Kee..what, huh, is that near Moscow?
To join a discussion on DIALOGUE AND DEBATE, CLIC