LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (12/29/85)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reaction to letter on women's parley

Dear Editor:

As Ukrainian American women who were invited to present a paper at the recent Second Wreath Conference in Edmonton, we want to stress the fact that many of the participants we talked with were delighted that Dr. Evelyn Tornton Beck was a keynote speaker. There were many of us who found Dr. Beck's humanistic and rational talk a refreshing change from the sometimes myopic and narrow views presented at some Ukrainian women's gatherings. She is a fine person, an advocate of human rights and a respected scholar.

We are confused as to why the so-called traditional women's organizations objected to Dr. Beck's appearance. The two reasons for these objections, raised by Olha Liskiwsky in her letter to The Weekly of November 10 were:

· conference organizers should have used Dr. Beck's time to present the goals of Second Wreath;

· inviting a Jewish woman to speak was "inopportune," in light of the activities of the Wiesenthal Center, and other alleged defamatory attacks on the Ukrainian people, (Ms. Liskiwsky seems to be saying, by Jews).

As to the first point, the Second Wreath organizer did present its goals as all participants know, in a pamphlet distributed before the conference, in a brochure distributed at the conference, and at a plenary session towards the end of the conference.

As to the second objection, all human beings, and especially feminists, should learn never to judge one person by another person, or to disparage any individual simply because that individual is a member of a religious, ethnic or sexual group. The mistakes that some Jews make, to which we in the Ukrainian community are particularly sensitive, is to conclude that all Ukrainians were Nazi collaborators, merely because some have been charged of this crime. How is it preferable to bar all Jews from our conferences because some Jews may be defaming Ukrainians? These two "reasons" presented by Ms. Liskiwsky then, seem inadequate to explain her objections. If she has other "reasons," she should say what they are.

If feminism means humanism, as we believe it does, we must learn to take advantage of our opportunities to discuss and clarify issues with sensitive people of different perspectives. There are too many victims of evil and prejudice in the world, and by uniting with other victims, we stand a better change of eliminating these evils.

The organizers of the Second Wreath Conference ought to be congratulated for their sensitivity in organizing a conference to include those of us who for ideological, cultural or religious reasons simply to do not feel welcomed into the more traditional and established Ukrainian women's organizations. It is time that we Ukrainian American feminists follow suit and explore pertinent issues such as the ones raised by Dr. Beck and the Second Wreath speakers.

Irene Zabytko and Eileen Lotozo
Lyndonville, Vt.

Individuals can move mountains

Dear Editor:

When it comes to community affairs, Ukrainian Americans often point to the limitations of our community rather than our strengths. Over the years, this has often resulted in discussions about the obstacles which we face rather than spending that valuable time accomplishing our objectives. Fortunately, in the case of Myroslav Medvid, the community rallied and embarked on positive actions.

One of the best examples of what a small group of individuals can accomplish through determination and hard work took place in Washington. Though small by comparison to Ukrainian American communities in other cities, the Washington community, led by an ad hoc group of concerned individuals, accomplished much during the past month and a half.

As the Medvid case was developing and hopes of freeing him from the Soviet ship were dimming, a group of community activists decided that action in Washington was needed. It all began November 2 at a Saturday Ukrainian schools. As parents ere waiting for their children, they discussed the Medvid issue and their frustration with the government's handling of the case. It was decided that a demonstration the next day would be an appropriate method to show the frustration of Ukrainian Americans.

George Woloshyn volunteered to check the logistics of gaining a permit for such a demonstration. He learned from the U.S. Park Service that it was too late for a permit but that a demonstration at MacPherarson Square, two blocks from the White House, did not require a permit. At that point, Mr. Woloshyn, Irene Kost and Roman Serbyn made the decision to proceed with the demonstration even though they had only 24 hours in which to organize it.

The informal organizing committee included, in addition to Mrs. Kost, Mr. Serbyn and Mr. Woloshyn, Larissa Fontana, Zenia Yaworsky and Natalie Gawdiak. They immediately contacted the three Ukrainian churches in Washington to ask that priests announce the demonstration at the divine liturgies the next day.

While some of the committee members began calling people in the community and recruiting other callers, other members of the committee concentrated on the press. From Saturday afternoon until noon Sunday, every newspaper, radio station, and television station was informed about the protest scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.

As the appointed time arrived, MacPhearson Square began to fill up with Ukrainians representing all three parishes. Some Plast members, in uniform, also participated. The Ukrainians were supplemented by Balts, organized by Mari-Ann Rikken, an Estonian who played a major role throughout the Medvid incident, and other East European Americans. In all, over 200 persons participated in the demonstration.

The press arrived at the announced time, and the story of the protest was carried by the two newspapers, numerous radio stations, and the local television stations. The event was successful by any standard of measure since the community responded and the press carried our message to the political leaders of the nation.

The degree of success, however, cannot be appreciated unless one understands the community in Washington. It is a small community of about 500 families. On 24-hour notice, 200 of those community members came out to demonstrated in the rain. This contrasts with the New York City metropolitan area where, according to the Ukrainian press, only 50 individuals demonstrated.

Armed with this success, this ad hoc group did not end its involvement. Members then proceeded to call members of the community to urge them to contact the president and members of Congress through visits, telephone calls and telegrams. That action continued in support of the Humphrey resolution. The impact of their work can be seen by the requests of some Senate offices to "call off your people, we have the message."

After that first demonstration, two others followed including a send-off for the president as he was leaving for Geneva. Other individuals in the community as well as some organizations then became involved. The initial work and the driving force, however, was and continues to be this ad hoc group of people who deserve the gratitude of the whole community. They demonstrated that individuals can make a difference.

Eugene Iwanciw
Washington