FACES AND PLACES: Rejoice! We're gonna live! (10/18/98)

FACES AND PLACES

by Myron B. Kuropas

Rejoice! We're gonna live!

North American Ukrainians who were ready to sing "Vichnaia Pamiat" when thinking about our community's future should have been at The 2020 Conference on October 10-11 in New Jersey.

Excitement was evident as some 120 participants listened to panels devoted to youth issues, the Canadian experience, the mid-life generation, and the "Fourth Wave." Presentations were well-prepared, insightful, balanced and occasionally whimsical.

I must confess that I was not overly optimistic about the conference prior to being there. Having attended and presented at many such conferences during the past few years, I didn't think I would hear anything new. I was wrong.

The conference got off to an excellent start with remarks by Dr. Bohdan Vitvitsky, conference chairman and acting president of the Ukrainian American Professionals and Businesspersons Association of New York and New Jersey. To truly appreciate what he had to say, one must read and re-read the entire text which, I understand, will be published in The Ukrainian Weekly. It was obvious that Dr. Vitvitsky had done his homework.

Let me dwell for a moment on what I believe was one of his most salient points, namely that those Ukrainians born in America who participate in community life are "voluntary ethnics," as opposed to "involuntary ethnics," i.e. Ukrainian-born Americans. The first group are ethnics by choice, the latter by birth.

Involuntary ethnics tend to have a different view of our community than voluntary ethnics. The former have a sense of obligation to the Church, to fraternals, to Ukraine. They are the bedrock of our community.

Although most post-World War II Ukrainian immigrants arrived here as informed and self-conscious Ukrainians, not all of them left Ukraine that way. I was amazed to learn that, for some of these immigrants at least, their most significant Ukrainianizing experience occurred during their years in the displaced persons camps. The schools, choirs, commemorative "sviata," and the other organized activities that emerged in these camps contributed greatly to their formation as Ukrainians. Small wonder that their entire sense of identity, that which defined who they were, revolved around similar institutions in North America.

Involuntary ethnics are fading from the scene; they're not being replaced by voluntary ethnics, those whose sense of identity does not depend on the Ukrainian community. Voluntary ethnics are full-fledged native Americans and Canadians who, if they do identify with the community at all, do so by choice. Someone asked if it was necessary to resonate within the community to be considered truly "Ukrainian"? One person suggested that there must be some minimum standard by which one is judged to be a part of the community. Are Ukrainian Americans who are not visible in the community - the so-called Christmas/Easter (koliada/kovbasa) crowd, for example - part of our community?

This question was partially addressed by members of the Canadian panel. There are thousands of Ukrainian Canadians in the western provinces who have Ukrainian names, are proud of their Ukrainian Canadian heritage, may occasionally attend a Ukrainian church service, may even speak some Ukrainian, but are not involved in any meaningful way with the organized Ukrainian Canadian community. Dr. Zenon Kohut, who grew up in Philadelphia but is now director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies in Edmonton, stated that Ukrainian culture has a very visible presence in Alberta, but that only 15 percent of the total Ukrainian population is active. Singing and dancing is big, but attendance at Shevchenko "sviata" and Ukrainian Independence Day activities is not.

I was particularly intrigued by the Fourth Wave panelists who advanced their concerns with our community. Some valid issues were raised. There is no organized attempt by Ukrainians to assist the Fourth Wave of immigrants, panelists argued, and no effort to allow qualified members to take on leadership positions so that they can do more than just belong to our organizations. When I think of the extensive help extended by the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee to the third immigration in the 1950s, I must admit that the present immigration has a legitimate complaint.

Despite the diversity of the panelists, there was consensus around a number of points. There was agreement that the Ukrainian community in North America will be around in 2020, but that it will be different from what it is today. Our Churches will still be here, as will one or two fraternals; Ukraine will be stronger and its leadership wiser; Ukrainian culture (dance groups, choirs, drama groups) will be more important than political ideology; the Fourth Wave will bring new life and will be an integral part of the community.

There was consensus also regarding what needs to be done if we are to do more than merely survive on life-support. The professionalization of our organizational life is crucial. The day of amateurism is long gone. We need leaders who know what they're doing.

Another key point addressed by the panels was the ideal of inclusiveness. We can no longer afford to make the Ukrainian language the litmus test for community involvement. Assimilation and mixed marriages have forced us to speak English more and more.

Being involved in the Ukrainian community must be more than an obligation, a cross that one bears for being born Ukrainian. It should be enjoyable; it has to be perceived as beneficial in some way; it must contribute to one's sense of well-being. Organizations need to provide activities that are attractive to all generations if they expect to grow.

Greater emphasis on Ukrainian family life is another must. It's hard to raise bilingual children today and to get them to love their heritage. More attention should be paid to two-career parents who are struggling to meet the religio-cultural, as well as the physical, needs of their children. My suggestion is an annual family conference for both children and parents during which parents could network and exchange ideas.

Finally, most panelists agreed that we need to know who and where we are. Demographic and sociological studies are required if we expect to make informed decisions.

Congratulations to Dr. Vitvitsky and his co-workers for an informative and enjoyable conference. Now that we know what to do, how do we it? Julian Kulas suggested that some of the panelists go on the road with their presentations so that others could hear what they have to say and become involved in the renewal process. A good idea, Mr. Kulas, let's do it!

Myron Kuropas' e-mail address is: [email protected]

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