“Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)” she called out, “Heroiam slava (Glory to the heroes)” came the chorus. Trafalgar Square, the heart of the London protest movement, once again stood testament to oppression and people’s voices against it.
While most attendants at this protest were Ukrainians, there were others from Russia, Belarus, other European nations, and, of course, Brits here in the UK. We came together to share solidarity with our fellow human beings, all speaking out against aggression.
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Faith and Escape
On BBC Radio 4 this morning, Anna Reid shared a legend about Vladimir the Great, who in 988 AD realized he needed an up-to-date religion. Therefore, he sent a fact-finding mission to the Catholic and Muslim world.
When they came back, they said the Catholics spend too much time praying and fasting, and the Muslims don’t eat pork or drink wine. Hearing this, he said, abandoning those things are out of the question, so let it be Catholicism.
Fast forward to 2022, Ukraine is a predominantly Christian country, with nearly 80% of its people identifying themselves as having a strong religious faith. There is also a Muslim community, mostly Tatars, comprising around 1% of the population and over 150 mosques around the country.
We Are All the Same
In an interview with Good Morning Britain today, Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick said, “Ukrainian pride is so strong. We are fiercely proud of being Ukrainian. We are fiercely proud of our culture, traditions, language, and history.
“We’ve been in the battle for independence for years and years. We will fight to the death to protect our land, home, children, women, men, and our nation. The Ukrainians are a very peaceful people and a peaceful country. We never wanted this war. We just want the Russians to go home.”
What she describes is true for all people who struggle today: the Syrians, the Afghans, the Kashmiris, the Palestinians, the Yemenis, the Uighurs, other groups, and, of course, the Ukrainians. Everyday people do not want war. We, everyday people, simply want the freedom to live in peace.
Some say that what makes this more personable to the European continent is that Ukrainians have lighter complexions and hair, but Bosnians share the same ethnicity, and they fell to oppression. So they then suggest it is due to race and religion.
But could it simply be down to a nuclear-armed aggressor attacking Ukrainians, irrespective of their faith and color, trying to exert authority over them? As former Vice President of the US, Dan Quayle, said, “If Putin is not Hitler, I don’t know who is.”
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Evacuation & Discrimination
As over 400,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed the border at the time of writing, a great deal of frustration has been experienced by people of color who have faced direct racism, discrimination, and delays.
Such is the severity that Filippo Grandi, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, issued a statement identifying the racism and calling for this to stop.
As Channel 4 News reported last night from the border with Poland, people of color eventually manage to cross, but not before suffering twice: as victims of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine and bias on account of the color of their skin.
A Shared Future
Irrespective of politics, one clear fact is the vast majority of the civilized world have come together to show support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine because that is what people who care do.
While the UK is doing something, the EU is taking the lead, reminding us of the importance of forming strong bonds with our neighbors.
As the protest in Trafalgar Square came to an end on Sunday evening, I thanked the Ukrainian lady who stood nearby me who translated most of the Ukrainian words and phrases so I was not left out. To which she said, ‘Thank you for your support.’
If any lesson must come from what is happening in Ukraine today, it is that our common humanity, and our collective efforts against oppressors, however, and wherever they appear, is the only thing that will help our world live together and find peace.
Today, as the bombs reign down on Ukraine, we, every single person of conscience, should #StandWithUkraine.