LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (01/21/96)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ukraine celebrates oppressors' victory

Dear Editor:

The government of Ukraine did it again! On November 7-8, 1995, Ukrainian diplomatic missions in the United States were closed to commemorate the Bolshevik Revolution.

Can you imagine Israel celebrating Hitler's victory? Of course not! But in Ukraine, the government celebrated the victory of the Bolshevik/Communist oppressors! They celebrated the 50th anniversary of "liberation" from the Fascists with parades and receptions; they even issued several special postage stamps to commemorate this event.

What the government forgot to tell its people was that Ukraine was liberated from Fascists only to fall into the hands of Stalin's regime. What was not mentioned was the fact that millions of Ukrainian people were exterminated by the Bolsheviks/ Communists in the 1932-1933 famine and in Stalin's and Brezhnev's gulags.

The Congress of the Ukrainian Intelligentsia, assembled on November 11, 1995, in Kyiv, stated: "With the exception of the 1930s, when the Bolsheviks rooted out practically all the leaders of Ukrainian culture, sciences and technology, and destroyed one-third of the Ukrainian nation, Ukraine has not gone through such de-Ukrainization as we have today."

Are we sure that the leadership of the Ukrainian government really does want an independent Ukraine? Let us look at Ukraine's neighbors, such as Poland and Lithuania. Even though their leaders are Communists, they are Polish and Lithuanian patriots, independent from Moscow. Can we say the same about the leadership in the Ukrainian government (both in the executive and in the legislative branches)?

Ukraine claims 99 percent literacy. Most of the leadership is highly educated; it is hard to believe that in the last five years they did not have an opportunity to read or hear about the past atrocities committed by the Communists.

I don't think that we can afford to wait another 20 years (for the old apparatchiks to fade away). How can a new generation change if they are growing up in the same old Soviet milieu?

Ukrainian Americans are asked again and again to give financial support to Ukraine. The Ukrainian government wants only money, and not spiritual and informational input from us. If our central organizations do not react swiftly to this latest slap in the face, then we will be remembered again as the three Ds: diaspora, dollar and "durak."

Bohdan J. Bodnaru
Clarendon Hills, Ill.

Trenton's center looks to the future

Dear Editor:

Since the independence of Ukraine, the Ukrainian National Home (UNH) in Trenton, N.J., like many other Ukrainian institutions, is experiencing a temporary period of lower activity. Independence spurred a period of activity to help Ukraine financially and otherwise. Now we are catching our second wind. We are starting to realize that we as a Ukrainian community in America also are important.

The Ukrainian National Home is very fortunate to own six and a half acres in the suburbs just outside of Trenton in Hamilton Township, N.J. This property includes a sturdy historic mansion that is over 200 years old. The income from three apartments on the property covers the main costs of insurance and utilities. The property is exempt from real estate tax.

The UNH is now used as a meeting place for several Ukrainian organizations and is always available for any organization or club, regardless of political or religious affiliation, that needs a place to meet.

Trenton is fortunate also that a number of new immigrants have decided to settle in the area. These new immigrants love Ukraine. They are well-educated and are eager to work; they will do very well in America. They have already begun to revitalize our Ukrainian spirit in this area.

The UNH recently sent out a survey to members of our community, inquiring about ideas on what the UNH should be doing in an effort to hold our community together. One immediate benefit of the survey is that it started a flurry of discussions about future activities at the National Home. The UNH will try to implement these ideas as feasible.

One of the proposals being discussed is construction of a swimming pool. This is a good idea and would be an effective way of getting Ukrainians together. I say, Iet's contribute and raise the funds and built it.

Unfortunately, some of the adherents of this proposal feel they should not have to contribute like their parents did when they built the churches and institutions we now enjoy. Even though they were raised and educated in America and have professional jobs, they expect the Ukrainian community to supply them with funds for the pool they want.

They suggest liquidating the assets of the self-supporting UNH and using that money to build a swimming pool and clubhouse with meeting rooms. Since the money from the sale of the UNH would most likely not cover the cost of purchasing suitable real estate, they suggest leasing some land from one of the Ukrainian churches in the area. This form of consolidating activities of the "new UNH" on church property goes against the concept of a national home that is independent of all religions. With such an arrangement, the future of the "new UNH" would be tied to the future of a particular church.

Although this would undoubtedly be the easiest means to secure money for a pool, gutting the existing UNH would not be in the best interest of our community' s future.

A UNH that is almost self-supporting will be there for the community during lean times and during good times. Even now, there is an increase of activities at the National Home with English language classes, volleyball, poetry recitation, etc.

I feel that now that the initial shock and exhilaration of Ukrainian independence has been accepted, both new and old immigrants will realize that Ukrainians enjoy, above all else, each other's company. Through its availability, the UNH will facilitate that experience. It will be there for any activities the Ukrainian community should want in the future.

Roman Kuzyk
Trenton, N.J.

The writer is vice-president of the Ukrainian National Home in Trenton, N.J.

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