LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (09/21/03)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Faith in God is key to change in Ukraine

Dear Editor:

When The Ukrainian Weekly arrives at my home, the first thing I look for is the column by Myron Kuropas. He is a great storehouse of knowledge and wisdom, putting this gift to use with brilliant writing.

The August 31 column "Why can't they be like us?" is especially insightful. In my view, the personality of the Soviet citizen was formed and shaped in large part by terror. Throughout history, the people whose descendants lived under the Soviet regime did not experience the Reformation, the Renaissance and the Enlightenment which led to our Western way of thinking. But the main curse was state-enforced atheism. Churches were persecuted, destroyed, or corrupted.

It is amazing how well the Ukrainian people have valiantly survived all these cruelties and tragedies. Despite these unbelievable hardships, I find the Ukrainian people to be extremely hospitable and warm. This characteristic is true regardless of age, socioeconomic level or education. Here in America, as well as in Ukraine, it is a wonderful experience to work with Ukrainians.

The hallmark of those who are least affected by the Soviet mentality are those who are committed Christians. They put their faith in God, not in the state - which could never be trusted.

I try to be careful in making generalizations about various groups or nationalities. All mankind is afflicted with sin - manifested as selfishness, arrogance, estrangement, pride, ungratefulness and more. These traits exist in people from all parts of the globe. American individuals, organizations and businesses are not exempt. Only the transforming power of Jesus Christ can redeem individuals from their sinful state, and set them in the right relationship with God and with their fellow man.

I am most grateful to The Weekly for providing information and insights that educate its readers about Ukraine.

Clifford Netz
Maple Grove, Minn.

An invitation to meet with Trenton activists

Dear Editor:

My answer to Myron Kuropas' question "Why can't they be more like us?" is: "I'm glad they are not." I am a member of the Third Wave (post-World War II) immigration.

Psychoanalysis of the general Soviet population does not describe the Fourth Wave (post-independence) immigration that settled in Trenton, N.J. They are patriotic and hard-working, and are willing to donate their time to help the Ukrainian community. Eighty percent of the board of the Ukrainian Home are from the Fourth Wave. As every Ukrainian knows, being a member of an "uprava" means that you do the work.

Within a year or two of coming here, their children are at the top of their classes and winning awards. They are proud to be Ukrainians and will be a great asset to the Ukrainian community. They will also be a great benefit to America.

They are also more entrepreneurial than the Third Wave. The Third Wave is very well educated, but we are not risk takers. I think we own fewer businesses than any other ethnic group. The Fourth Wave is not afraid to risk and are starting businesses. They also place a lot of importance on education.

At the time that the Fourth Wave started arriving, our institutions and churches were empty. The youngest people at liturgy were in their 50s. The Ukrainian community was dying off. The Third Wave may not have lasted another generation. The arrival of the new immigrants breathed life and vigor into our institutions.

The Third Wave (post-World War II) immigration had a few advantages:

1. They were here legally. They could get any job they were capable of doing. Many of the Fourth Wave are here illegally, which makes it hard to step into professional jobs for which they are well-educated.

2. The Third Wave was ruthlessly cut off from contact with Ukraine. They could concentrate on bettering themselves and building up our Ukrainian community. The Fourth Wave sends a large percentage of their earnings home to their families.

I would like to ask Dr. Kuropas to visit Trenton sometime. I would like to introduce him to many of these new immigrants. I am sure he would like them and be very impressed by them.

Roman Kuzyk
Trenton, N.J.

Re: pride and respect for national anthems

Dear Editor:

From time to time we hear and read about Americans of Ukrainian descent being criticized for speaking in Ukrainian in public by those who overhear us on the street, in restaurants, at social events, etc.

Attempts to embarrass or shame us into avoiding speaking in our native tongue is more than rude, it is insensitive. Actually, we should see it for what it really is - a form of bigotry. Sadly, there are those who do not quite understand what the United States truly is - the home of freedom for people of all backgrounds.

Yet, we Ukrainians at times tend to take this wonderful freedom for granted and do not demonstrate our pride as citizens of this great country when opportunities present themselves. Examples of this are seen year after year at our major Ukrainian summer festivals.

Ever notice that most of the crowd does not sing when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played, yet raise their voices aloud to sing the Ukrainian national anthem? Makes a person wonder.

Paul S. Ewasko
Dalton, Pa.

The Ukrainian Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and commentaries on a variety of topics of concern to the Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian communities. Opinions expressed by columnists, commentators and letter-writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either The Weekly editorial staff or its publisher, the Ukrainian National Association.

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