ACTION ITEM

Star-Ledger story about Krayzelburg

A recent article published in New Jersey's Star-Ledger (September 19) reported on the Summer Olympiad and referred to Ukraine as "hotly anti-Semitic Ukraine."

Reporting on Lenny Krayzelburg, Mike Vaccaro described the emotions of Lenny and his parents, who emigrated from Odesa, during the American swimmer's gold medal presentation. On the negative side, The Star-Ledger writer described the situation in Ukraine as being "hotly anti-Semitic" and reported that the Krayzelburgs left "the darkness of Russia." He further wrote that the parents of Lenny made a sacrifice for their son by leaving Ukraine and coming to the United States to give him opportunities for a new and good life.

These two statements do not add up. If the situation in Ukraine is indeed "hotly anti-Semitic," then it would not have been a great sacrifice for the Krayzelburgs to leave such an odious place.

Mr. Vaccaro should be advised to read the yearly human rights report written by the U.S. Department of State on Ukraine (and also on other countries) which reports that all the minorities in Ukraine are treated well and that anti-Semitism there is insignificant. In addition, Mr. Vaccaro should be informed that Ukraine is not Russia and that there really is a difference between Russia and Ukraine.

Letters should be sent to: The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102.

- submitted by AHRU (Americans for Human Rights in Ukraine) and UNCHAIN (Ukrainian National Center: History and Information Network).

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 8, 2000, No. 41, Vol. LXVIII

| Home Page |