A Polish woman writes in the comments: “if you don’t know Polish history, then shut your mouth, because you Ukrainians always make yourselves victims”.
The “making victims” part intrigued me. From that perspective, do we really appear that way? The point of my text is not about Poland, but about us. See the difference.
I don’t need to know Polish history to assert my right to speak about my own.
1848. I find these lines in Taras Shevchenko:
“… I will go not by the roads,
But alongside the roads.
And I will ask…
…
Of a vile noble…“
And here:
“So that brother does not cut brother,
And does not rob,
And the widow’s son is not sent to the moskals.”
So on one side – the nobles. On the other – the moskals.
Last year I visited St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, and the place left an incredible impression on me. The walls are covered with inscriptions in a language that looks like Old Ukrainian, made starting from 1018-1019. So the core of the nation’s origin is there. We were not just passing by here. The language still exists. Culture, traditions exist. But someone stronger divides us along the Dnipro and prevents us from creating our own statehood by force. The struggle is called “liberation” because there was a need to liberate ourselves from somewhere. To defend ourselves from someone.
Today we are still accused: you did not exist. Why didn’t you exist – “you are tired of playing the victim!” Although I just asked 🙂.
I can come up with many analogies with domestic situations to make it clearer how it all looks. Nevertheless, it all boils down to the fact that when we rightfully speak about our own history and ask questions that baffle former imperialists, we are supposed to be ashamed for “whining”. (Actually, no 😊).
As long as we agree with what we are blamed for, we will not put our self-esteem in its place. Where it should be. Every story can be considered as facts, and the facts are interpreted in ways that are beneficial and safe for one side or the other. And if there are events that happened with a separate people on their ethnic territory, but excuses are made for them, and accusations are shifted onto this people, – then the issue is often not with this people (or not only with them), but with what complexes the former imperialist is covering in this way.
Many years have passed since the fall of the empires. Ukrainians, who were torn across the Dnipro, have done much for their descendants during this time. In particular, Russia (previously in the form of the “union”) benefited from our intellect, achievements, they could steal our cultural heritage and history. On the other hand, Tusk is now talking about creating the largest army in Europe, which will control the situation in the region.
And I, as a Ukrainian, will again try to “play the victim”:
– the largest Polish army needs to be clothed and armed;
– fed;
– trained, and so on.
Ukrainians increased Poland’s GDP in 2022 by 1.5%, in 2023 by 2.3%, in 2024 by 2.7%, and as they say, it will continue. That is, we are helping the Poles to feed and arm their future “largest army in Europe”. And it “will control the situation in the region”.
From whom? I’m asking with my questions again. Really, FROM WHOM? When where real control is needed, it is ALREADY handled by Ukraine? It bears the greatest burden.
And to summarize. When it comes to our own history, our own contributions, and relations with neighbors, we should first think about our own people. And count first those incredible efforts made by our own people. Consider all obstacles, all burdens, all historical antecedents, so as not to let gaslighters forbid us from highlighting our right to exist. Not the scenario they once wrote for us and still see us in – both sides. The British can say that THEIR interests come first. The French can. But not Ukrainians?
And again these questions, as Les Podervianskyi said… 😆
It seems to me that this is what Ukrainocentrism is. It won’t hurt us. What do you think?
