LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (12/14/97)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Regarding fraternalism and the word "fraternal"

Dear Editor:

In reading the report of the annual meeting of the UNA General Assembly (November 16) I observed an inconsistency that is very difficult to understand. On the one hand, in the updating the wording of the UNA's founding principles, the first line of the mission statement says: "To promote the principles of fraternalism" and as a "fraternal insurance society, the UNA invests its earnings for the benefit of its members and the Ukrainian community."

No one will dispute the fact that all four current "soyuzes" operate under similar fraternal principles. In another part of the report, it is noted that there was a discussion and eventually a vote was taken on the proposed merger with the Ukrainian Fraternal Association. It is stated that there was strong opposition to incorporating the word "fraternal" in the name of the new merged society. Why would anyone object to adding that word when what it does is add meaning to what kind a society it is, without the need to explain, as the UNA does now in the second line of its letterheads?

The word itself means brotherly love. We find it in the bible, where it is suggested that we are "our brothers keeper".

Our four Ukrainian societies, along with many others, were organized in Pennsylvania in the early 1900s, because the need was great to help four widows and orphans. These were our bearers, our fathers and grandfathers, who without high salaries, devoted their lives to helping our needy. They knew the meaning of fraternalism.

The argument - the only one heard to date - for not adding "fraternal" to the name was that "our UNA name has a meaning to us."

To those of you who feel like that, I ask: have you stopped and taken into consideration that the organization you voted to merge with also has an 87-year history, whose officers and members love their "soyuz" and its name Ukrainian Fraternal Association, as much as you do yours? If you look back you will find that this new name, "Ukrainian National Fraternal Association", was accepted by UNA delegates at their Detroit convention 12 years ago.

Yes, the UFA officers made many concessions in the merger discussions, and the UNA president said it like it was: that the UFA feels very strongly, that the word "fraternal" is the key word if the merger is to become a fact.

I'm sure your readers and members of both "soyuzes" will be interested in why these people are willing to jeopardize a possible merger, because they object to the word "fraternal". Let's hear your justification.

From a lifelong fraternalist with brotherly love,

Joseph Charyna
Coconut Creek, Fla.

The writer is an honorary member of the UFA's Supreme Council.

Why doesn't Koropeckyj write his own letter?

Dear Editor:

It was with curiosity that I read the letter of Roman Koropeckyj (October 26) in which he wanted "to append" his signature to the AJC's smear job of Myron Kuropas. It's a mystery to me why a "professor of literature" cannot write his own letter criticizing or correcting some specific errors of Dr. Kuropas' instead of merely "appending" his signature to someone else's vitriol.

He criticizes Dr. Kuropas for a "disturbing preoccupation with Jews," whatever that means. Doesn't he realize that Dr. Kuropas was, and is, in the midst of intense Ukrainian-Jewish dialogue? In order to represent Ukrainian concerns, he is required to study (i.e., be preoccupied with) Jewish concerns and viewpoints so that consensus and understanding can be reached. Because Ukrainian-Jewish relations are so contentious, it is rare to find any credible Ukrainian to engage in them without appearing like a janissary Uncle Tom. Unfortunately, Prof. Koropeckyj's letter wouldn't give many Ukrainian Americans much confidence in having him represent their interests.

During the courageous efforts to obtain justice for John Demjanjuk, Prof. Koropeckyj exhibited a "suspiciously deafening silence" indeed! Now, he has finally mustered up enough "courage" to condemn Dr. Kuropas. What a guy!

Jaroslaw Sawka
Sterling Heights, Mich.

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