EDITORIAL: Do we value our community? (02/04/96)

EDITORIAL

Do we value our community?

It's mid-year (in terms of the academic year), a time of mid-term examinations and semester breaks, and a time of needed assessment and reassessment, and course correction. Diverse activities - scholastic and extracurricular - are in full swing. Our community life, too, is abuzz. We've just completed the "malanka" season and now it's on to the debutante balls that abound at this time of year as proud parents introduce their daughters (and sons, we would argue) to our community. Clearly it is a time to appreciate our friends and our community.

So while we're all enjoying ourselves at the social events of this season, maybe it's worthwhile also to ponder what our lives would be like without that community? Is that community important to our sense of well-being and contentment, and our happiness? Do we want our community to continue to exist? What are we contributing to ensure the continuity and vitality of our community life?

The parents of today's generation of parents made sacrifices so their children could remain Ukrainian in spirit. They thought nothing of making the time and spending the money necessary to support our community organizations. They felt not only that it was their duty to make sure their kids belonged to Ukrainian organizations, but that it was their duty as parents to volunteer and help those organizations in myriad ways, whether that involved baking pastries for a bake sale, or serving as a supervisor for a youth organization's activities.

If there were Plast meetings on a weeknight, they'd make sure the kids were there, and on time. If there was Ukrainian school on Saturday, their children were there without fail each Saturday - not only when it wasn't inconvenient. If their children were enrolled in a particular activity, say a Ukrainian dance ensemble, that was a commitment taken seriously. As a result, our organizations flourished.

Today, however, that seems to have changed. Attendance at activities in which children are enrolled are considered "optional." Parents seem less willing to give of themselves and to give up their precious time.

Parents' priorities influence their children's priorities. If parents consider Ukrainian activities second-rate, then what do you think the children believe? Let's not kid ourselves, children learn very early on in life what is important and what is not - from their parents. So, if parents send out signals that it's not important to regularly attend SUM-A activities, or to do homework for "Uke school," it is obvious to the children that things Ukrainian somehow arc not as valuable as the non-Ukrainian aspects of their lives.

To be sure, there are those who-will say times are tougher because the community is more scattered, both mom and dad work, etc., etc. We've heard it all - and all of it is true. But there is another greater truth, and that is that whether one likes to hear it or not, it's all a question of priorities. If it's more important for the kids to go shopping with mom than to go to classes at the School of Ukrainian Studies, then who's to blame for the school's decline?

When it comes to community life, we get what we deserve. If we invest our time and effort, we will undoubtedly be compensated with more rewarding activities in our community life. If, on the other hand, we choose to sit on the sidelines, if we insist on being occasional observers instead of true participants in our community life, we will become witness to that community withering away.

So, what are our priorities? Do we want our community to remain vibrant, to exist for our children and even theirs? If so, there are two key words to remember and to practice: commitment and contribution. Think about it. Then act on it.

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