Svitlana Jones

State College

On Sunday, for the first time ever, a Ukraine film was awarded an Oscar. It would have been a thrilling event… But the film’s director Mstyslav Chernov, his two colleagues who helped film it, and every person on this Earth who identifies himself or herself as a Ukrainian, wishes the film would have never been made. The film is called: 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL. It documents only the first 20 days, and only in one Ukrainian city during Russia’s ruthless and nonsensical assault on Ukraine. If you have not had a chance to see it, please do. It is available on PBS. Just beware, please: It contains graphic war content. In the Director’s words: “It pains me to watch it, but it should hurt… My head wants to forget the images but my camera won’t.”

I am aware that some of you might have already watched it. But most likely, not many people pay attention to documentaries, especially during the Oscar ceremonies. Someone needs to call attention to it. So, let it be me. I was born in Ukraine, but I have lived in this country longer than I did in Ukraine. I can’t help begging you all to have a glimpse of what is going on there. Every person in that city believed that if only the world knew what Russians were doing to them, the world would step in to protect them. While what’s happening on the Southern border is tragic and distressing, what is happening in Ukraine is an unprovoked war of conquest, entire cities are being annihilated and the Russians claim Ukrainians do not exist. I hope that when you see this documentary, you’ll understand how insane is the statement of a congresswomen that she is not convinced that the U.S. need to help Ukraine, how senseless and scary are the words of the former President that Putin can do whatever he wants.

My great grandfather was killed during World War I, my grandfather was severely wounded during WWII and almost did not make it home (his wife was considered a widow for five months), his own brother was forced to live abroad after WWII and never to return home. And this is when Americans were fighting along with Ukrainians. Now, Ukraine bears the burden alone. How many more fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, grandparents and children have to perish just because they were born in that part of the world. Please, call your representatives. Please, call your senators. Please, demand voting for the National Security Act Bill which will provide desperately needed help for the country that pays with the lives of its children and parents for the world’s freedom, justice, democracy and peace. Your own children, parents and grandparents won’t have to pay with their lives later for the delay in supporting Ukraine now. And about 85% of allocations to Ukraine will stay in the US to create new and well-paid jobs in the military manufacturing industry.

It is now 747 days of this ongoing nightmare. Please, spread the word. United, we can beat the little Russian lunatic. Together we can stop this insanity.

Grateful for being human and standing with Ukraine, Svitlana (www.SistersSister.org)