FACES AND PLACES: Why can't they be like us? (08/20/06)

FACES AND PLACES

by Myron B. Kuropas

Why can't they be like us?

"Betrayal" is the word I hear most often in our community these days.

People tell me that Viktor Yushchenko betrayed Ukraine, the Orange Revolution and the people who sat in the freezing cold of the maidan protesting a stolen election. Viktor Yushchenko promised to unite the nation. He hasn't. Viktor Yushchenko promised to take care of corruption. He didn't. Viktor Yushchenko promised to bring the Kuchma gang to justice. He hasn't. Viktor Yushchenko promised to appoint only qualified and honest people to government posts. He hasn't. Viktor Yushchenko promised to abide by the Constitution. He hasn't.

On the eve of Ukraine's 15th year of independence we have a three-ring circus with Viktor Yanukovych, Yulia Tymoshenko and President Yushchenko centered in each of the rings.

Questions abound: What happened? Why can't the Orange Revolutionaries get their act together? Don't they understand what's at stake? What's with all those egos? Can we trust them to do the right thing? And, finally: Why can't they be like us?

Guess what! They are like us.

Ukrainians have been in North America for over 100 years and we're just like those guys over there. Worse!

Do we have our act together? No. Do we understand what's at stake? No. Can we trust our leaders to do the right thing? Probably not. How can we expect those guys to do a better job over there in 15 years when us guys, despite far more advantages over here, haven't done it in almost 125 years?

Think of it. Politically, we're split. In fact, we're worse off today than we were in 1980 when the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America began imploding. Despite over 25 years of negotiation between the UCCA and the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council, unity is farther away then ever. Michael Sawkiw and Ihor Gawdiak have no intention of coming together in a single body. Why would they?

Other so-called "neutral" organizations are playing the unity card. "As long as there is no single umbrella organization to unite us," they exclaim, "we remain on the sidelines." Talk about a cop-out.

Our fraternal insurance associations are in trouble. One fraternal organization, the Ukrainian National Aid Association, has already bit the dust. The three remaining fraternals, the Ukrainian National Association, the Ukrainian Fraternal Association and the Providence Association, are struggling. Our fraternal leaders seem to be vision-challenged.

Religiously, we're at odds. There are two major Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States and there is animosity between them. Ukrainian Orthodox in the United States appeared united during the Mstyslav era. No more.

Ostensibly, Ukrainian Catholics have one jurisdiction but there is turmoil within the ranks. Some Catholics still maintain that our Church is a national Church where only Ukrainians need apply! Hold that thought and see what happens in the next 20 years.

Economically we're in pretty good shape. We live well. We and our children have incredible opportunities to create wealth and improve their lot in life. We're watching the Fourth Wave prosper in an astounding way. No other Ukrainian immigration has moved up the socio-economic ladder faster. No other immigration has moved into the American mainstream faster. No other immigrant children have assimilated faster. As the Third Wave old guard fades away, the Fourth Wave will take over those institutions which they prize the most, the credit unions.

Back to Ukraine. Are things really that bad? No. The glass is half full. The last election was the most democratic Ukraine has ever had. We might not like the results but that's what vox populi is all about. Face it. Mr. Yanukovych and his party won fair and square. Will Prime Minister Yanukovych pull Ukraine into Vladimir Putin's orbit? I doubt it. He may not be a cultural renaissance man, but he's no dummy. Why would he want to trade being on top of the heap in Ukraine to being lost in the heap in Russia?

Mr. Yanukovych signed the Universal of National Unity which recognized Ukrainian as the state language and the "basis for the self-identity of the people and the state." He didn't protest when Ukraine's Parliament voted overwhelmingly to authorize stationing foreign troops in Ukraine during military exercises, a bow to NATO.

Is Mr. Yushchenko really so awful? No. He cut the best deal he could under the circumstances. Will Yulia rally the Orange troops and come back swinging? Now there's a thought! She came in second. She's obviously brighter than the two Viktors. She has a following. She has appeal as a populist. She's determined. Don't count her out.

So, dear readers, here's my advice regarding Ukraine. Take a deep breath, sit back and relax. There's little we over here can do to influence events over there. We can preen and posture as some of our leaders have done, but let's face it, we're small potatoes, or "male pyvo," as they say.

If you want to help Ukraine, put down your placard and do something useful. Become involved with an educational institution over there. Donate money to Ostroh, Mohyla or the Ukrainian Catholic university.

There are thousands of needy orphans in Ukraine. Underserved physically and mentally handicapped children abound. Pocket your ego and get involved with them. Help improve their living conditions. Volunteer your talents, your time, your treasure. Nothing is more rewarding than helping the younger generation.

If you can't do any of the above, become more involved with your local Ukrainian community. Become a registered church member. Join the UNA. Join a choir. Enroll your kids in Saturday school. Enroll them in Plast, SUM or ODUM. Become a Saturday School teacher. Subscribe to The Ukrainian Weekly and Svoboda. Become an active Republican or a Democrat (if you must). America is your country now. Your Ukraine is here, not there.

We live in interesting times and the next 10 years in Ukraine will be more interesting than ever. Enjoy. We will witness history being made.

One final word. If you get depressed about Ukrainians in Ukraine, remember this. They're just like us. In fact, they are us!

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

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