by Ethan Bracken, an American who came to Ukraine after Russia invaded; written before his arrival here.
[For urgent updates please follow Ukrainian Freedom News in Telegram]
It’s hard to accept the reality that Russia invaded Ukraine over a month ago now. The outrage and incredulity that one man is responsible for unleashing such unwarranted destruction and death upon a sovereign country in these modern times defies logic.
It feels, however, as if too many of us Americans have recovered from the initial shock of being spectators to the suffering, or perhaps, never invested much thought or concern in the first place.
While it’s understandable that life must continue for those not immediately affected by the violence, it’s also so important for the citizens of any nation to educate themselves and stay informed, so that we may faithfully exercise our duties and improve the world we all share.
What is happening in Ukraine is a very human story, one we all should know very well. This is a struggle between good and evil, between Ukraine’s defenders and Russia’s aggressors.
Kyiv’s Maidan (main square) | Photo by Gleb Albovsky on Unsplash
As Americans – whether you sit on the left or the right of the political spectrum–basic human rights and the love of individual freedoms are things we all hold sacred.
Not just for ourselves, but for others.
Have we not always strived to be seen on the world stage as the nation who is the darling champion of freedom? Have we not vowed to help our allies or support nations that are willing to sacrifice everything for the hope of living a life free from the grasp of bloody tyrants?
The world has seen the best of humanity come out of Ukraine over the past few weeks, their people sacrificing everything to preserve their family, nation, and way of life.
We’ve all had our hearts torn by the scenes of families frantically fleeing the city as shrapnel showers down and buildings crumble around them. We’ve been moved by footage of rescuers struggling through the rubble where shelters once stood to rescue children.
And we’ve been inspired by the men and women saying goodbye to their loved ones as they stay and fight for their right to call themselves free Ukrainians.
But sympathizing with our fellow beings is no longer enough. Safe on the other side of the ocean, we have the privilege of being able to turn off our screens and suppress the horrors of war at any moment.
The people of Ukraine have no such option. They cannot turn off this nightmare – for it is their new reality. For many Americans, the closest we’ve come to experiencing discomfort because of the war has been higher prices at the gas pump – a trivial concern in comparison to the atrocities being inflicted upon the Ukrainian people.
If that is one of our biggest pain points, then we have much to be thankful for, and much more that we can give to those who have lost everything.
As one of America’s most beloved founders, Benjamin Franklin once wrote, «History is a tale, not of immutable forces but of human endeavors.» Change that moves the tides of history does not stem from an abundance of thoughts and prayers, it comes from those who are willing to sacrifice a little for the greater good.
For my part, I hope that I can make a difference to somebody who is facing the impossible, to fill a vital space left vacant by someone being asked to give much more than I can provide.
So, driven by the change I hope to see in this world and spurred on by the heroism of the Ukrainian people, I made the decision to leave the comfort of my home in the U.S and make the journey across the Polish border and into the war-torn country of Ukraine.
A decision not made lightly as I put my career on hold and leave behind my wife who will now bear the burden of an uncertain future – but who is also willing to live out her convictions.
I hope to bring the horrors, the sacrifice, and the humanity of this war closer to home – and I wish to give those within my social circle a raw, unedited glimpse into the country of Ukraine in the hopes that it spurns more support for Zelenskiy and his people.
After all, if we were to live but just a day in the shoes of a Ukrainian fighting for their homeland, would we not want someone to come help us, in even the smallest way?
About the author: Ethan Bracken works remotely for an advertising agency, HINGE GLOBAL, as a copywriter. He and his wife, Emily, had been exploring the United States’ East Coast over the past year, most recently in Philadelphia, PA. Instagram: bracken_ethan_ ||| LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-bracken/
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Lviv Now is an English-language website for Lviv, Ukraine’s «tech-friendly cultural hub.» It is produced by Tvoe Misto («Your City») media-hub, which also hosts regular problem-solving public forums to benefit the city and its people.
