We stumbled upon the whole rally. If not for the confused patrons attending the same Ukrainian Orthodox Mass, my mother and I would have remained oblivious. We rounded the corner to meet a wave of thousands gathered on the church’s steps.
The homily shared finally allowed me to grasp the severity of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. A priest declares Russian president Vladimir Putin to be the Adolf Hitler of modern times. Those words are not chosen carelessly.
Multitudes of anti-war propaganda and pro-Ukraine supporters flooded Ukrainian Village. The Chicago neighborhood became overwhelmed with cries for the conflict to end.
A community brought together through tragedy
My mother’s Ukrainian roots were from the paternal side of the family. We grew up celebrating Ukrainian Orthodox Christmases and were casually acquainted with other cultural elements. The protest provided an opportunity to feel the closest to my Ukrainian side and embrace a new sense of pride for the first time in my life. The brink of war poses a greater international threat; it’s a shame it was brought on by this.
The ongoing clamor engulfed the crowd, and among a series of speakers were Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Chants of “hands off Ukraine” and “close the sky” overpowered the official addresses made by state officials. The occasional chorus of “Slava Ukraini” interluded as what could be a form of greeting from protest to protest.
Strangers joined in conversation as if they were lifelong acquaintances. They were swapping sentiments on endless sprawls on sidewalks, ornamented in shades of blue and yellow. From an outsider’s perspective, the display of support looked harmless. But only the oblivious turn a blind eye to the sinister reasons beneath the high-energy gathering.
Raised voices
It was hard to determine when the celebration of heritage became the looming sense of dread that gripped the crowd. The hordes gathered to voice their support for Ukraine seemed to remind themselves why they banded together, bearing signs that were vocal against the conflict overseas.
Without the context of the urgency of the war, the rally presented itself as if it were partaking in a more joyful, more lighthearted means of unity. Every restaurant, every bar, every small shop faced an overflow of patrons. For some, they were eager to participate in the call to action; for others, distress dictated their presence.
I can’t help but accept the guilt of using a demonstration against war as a reason to become more comfortable with my heritage. It allowed me to step back and remove myself from the situation. My perspective – a rather comfortable one, at that – permitted me to truly understand how fortunate I am to realize that while I can stand with Ukraine, this event was not about me. I have never felt so moved and humbled while recognizing my privilege.
A universal resistance
War is not a backdrop for a photo opportunity. It is not to parade around, nor to approach as a fleeting trend. Those who joined in unity knew exactly why they assembled, despite the smiling façade from the event from afar. The throngs of proud Ukrainian-Americans that controlled the streets of the neighborhood represent a universal resistance. They band together as a unified force, unwavering in their beliefs, and insistent upon sharing their message with the rest of the world.
