A Unity Day for Ukraine, for the USA, and for the world
Today should be the Unity Day of everyone
KYIV, 22RD OF JANUARY, 1919: 105 YEARS BACK IN TIME, Ukrainians from all parts of this territory joined together and agreed to sign a Treaty of Unity among is several regions, recognizing no matter where they came from, they all belong to a same nation called Ukraine and needed to stay together despite the pressure from the empires of that time, particularly Russia.
It is a date known as The Unity Day of Ukraine and it is a symbol of the braveness, the resilience, and the commitment of these people with their nation. Every year, we remind our forefathers that many times paid with their lives but stayed committed to their conviction that the existence of an independent Ukraine is an indivisible notion to their own existences.Β
The Treaty of Unity, however, was not just a protocol thought to bind several regions together, but to make sure the entity that was being created was a collective construction of all Ukrainians, no matter the background, the ancestry, or the religion. A Unity among citizens with a common goal, with a common challenge.
A Unity of people, above everything.
Which takes us directly to our close friends, the United States of America. This huge nation is a source of infinite admiration and respect from Ukrainians of all ages, home of fantastic, creative, and caring people, but undeniably suffering a delicate moment on its internal politics in this election year.
It breaks my heart to hear that families are breaking apart and long-time friends are questioning their relationship because of political affinities. I understand that we have reached a time where strong convictions are necessary against some proposals and ideas that sometimes reach nonsensical standards, and my closest friends probably know which ones I'm talking to because they know my views, but this is not about my personal opinion.
This is not even about which side is better, nor about abstaining from having a side. Quite the opposite. It's regarding exercising opinion while making sure there's the possibility of collaboration on the other side. A dialogue. Aiming the happiness of everyone, from all opinions, regardless of their inclinations or who they have voted for.
If we don't have a dialogue with those who don't believe in the same things as us, we simply don't have politics. And we don't have an option, because the alternative is totalitarianism or some other regime which a segment of the population will crush or try to crush another. Politics comprises all the activities of co-operation, negotiation and conflict within and between societies.
As said by Bismarck, "politics is the capacity of always choosing at each instant, in constantly changing situations, the least harmful, the most useful". We need to unite ourselves to ensure politics remains alive, thriving, and functional.
We need to unite with those who think differently from us, even with those who have bizarre ideas in the views of the other. We need understanding, not disputes. In politics, unity is a paramount value, at least to make sure politics still exist.
Politics demands that we have a certain degree of union with both our friends and our enemies, with those who we love and those we hate. And also being aware that hating someone's opinions don't need to determine that an enemy comes from it.
This is a call, my friends, that this Unity Day of Ukraine resonates in the United States and all the countries living a difficult time regarding your internal affairs.Β
This is such an important date for us Ukrainians, and we have been learning that without union, we are able to do nothing. Unity Day for us is a reminder of the strength of Ukraine, a force that would never be without the union of these people.
And I'm sure union is the source of power of the United States and of your country too.
Today should be the Unity Day of the World.
Happy Unity Day everyone!
π More than a newsletter, this is a community. We divide our lives, share emotions and establish a connection that has been amazing to me and comforting at the hardest times. I hope to reach you with an inspiring content and make at least a little difference in your perceptions about Ukraine.
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π Last winter, Iβve also written a book called βThe Divine Comedian: Ukraineβs Journey Through Hell, Purgatory, And Paradiseβ. If you still havenβt read it, I welcome you to take a look and give me your opinion. It is available for free downloading in PDF and Kindle formats: