An Invernessian in America: Columnist Diane Knox gives her thoughts on the Ukraine crisis, Russian aggression and worldwide solidarity – and what can be done to help
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Ukraine, we are with you. What a heavy-hearted week it’s been, watching the horror unfold for the people of Ukraine.
In 2022, we’re familiar with war – the war on terrorism, the war against racism, past wars that we’ve studied, feared and even lived through, but NOW, war between two countries, with one country invading the other, Russian military lining the border, dropping bombs from planes and “full-scale attack”? It’s terrifying to know this is happening. It shouldn’t be happening. The thought of this type of war has always seemed so far away.
I’m sitting on my couch penning my thoughts here, with my husband and the two doggies, having just got off the phone to my parents. We are so lucky.
I can’t even begin to imagine the fear that this entire country is experiencing, and the fear and uncertainty that friends and family members are feeling all over the world. Families have been torn apart, with women and children attempting to flee and men staying behind to defend their country.
I saw a video of a young mother trying to explain to her son what was happening. His response? “The man trying to take something that’s not his should be sent to time-out.” Such simple innocence.
Over the past week, gestures of solidarity have been witnessed worldwide. However small they may seem, they’re huge to the people of Ukraine who are in the midst of the biggest fight of their lives.
I’ve seen billboards in Jacksonville, donning the colours of the Ukrainian flag with the simple words: “We stand with you”. Bridges and buildings downtown lit up blue and yellow, marches, lines of cars travelling together, waving flags out of their windows.
The people of Ukraine are fighting, and will continue to stand their ground to fight for independence and freedom. They’re fighting for their families, and we will support them. But what can we do to help?
I’ve spent some time over the past week researching this and have a short list of options. Of course, donations – but sometimes it’s hard to know the right places to donate to, knowing your money will help the right people in the right places.
Razom is a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organisation; their website states they were “established to support the people of Ukraine in their pursuit of a democratic society with dignity, justice, and human and civil rights for all”. You’ll find links to donate if you search for them online and on social media.
The National Bank of Ukraine have opened a special account to raise funds for Ukraine’s Armed Forces; again if you do a quick search you can find the link online. You can also donate directly to the Ukrainian Army.
Sign the petition asking NATO to close the airspace over Ukraine. I found this on openPetition.eu
Support local Ukrainian vendors on Etsy; I thought this was a great idea. Many sellers on Etsy have digital products you can buy, and it means you’re supporting them directly without them having to physically post anything out to you. Filter your Etsy search to “from Ukraine” and you can search through the items. Even purchasing something small will help.
I’ll end with a quote I read that stuck with me…and the hope of resolution and peace will: “Do not be afraid to stand up to evil, no matter how powerful it seems. At the dawn, the flag will still be there.”
