LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (12/04/94)

CONTINUING REACTION TO "60 MINUTES" REPORT

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CBS broadcast mobilized community

Dear Editor:

I cannot remember an instance that has galvanized and mobilized the Ukrainian community in America as much as "The Ugly Face of Freedom" broadcast on "60 Minutes" on October 23. Reaction of civic and religious organizations was swift, broad-based, and displayed a high degree of political maturity. On the national level, demonstrations in Philadelphia, Washington, Detroit and other cities cried for redress of injustice done. On the West Coast, our friends perused archives at the UCLA library, extracting information and sharing the facts with friends, while debunking distortions.

The impact of "The Ugly Face" broadcast on our lives was direct and personal. Our telephone began to ring even before the program ended. It rang for three days. Our wide circle of American friends who saw the program were calling from close and afar with questions about accusations made. My husband Ihor and I manned the telephone in relays, patiently rebutting accusations made, point by point. In the process, the callers become educated on the issues concerning Eastern Europe in general, and issues of Ukraine in particular. We realize, of course, that we cannot reach this way all 17 million viewers who saw "Ugly Face," however, we feel some fruitful results were accomplished, even if only in a small dosage.

It seems that the "Ugly Face" broadcast was a wake-up call for all of us. Ukrainians have been pushed for too long, by too many. The time has come to take a stand. Our civic and religious organizations have done an outstanding job in responding to the outrage of "Ugly Face." But they cannot do this job alone. The injustice was done to us as a group, and to each of us as individuals. It should not be left unanswered. It is as good time as any to evoke immortal admonition of Ivan Franko, loosely translated as: "The fate of millions rests on the shoulders of each of us, and each of us will be held responsible for the fate of millions." In this case the responsibility for response to the injustice done is ours, also individually.

We live in the information age, and the truth should be carried beyond the confines of the Ukrainian community, locally and nationally. The "Ugly Face" was broadcast on our airways, for profit. TV broadcasters are mandated by law to use public airways in a responsible way and in the public interest. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees this. As citizens, taxpayers, and voters we have much to say regarding proper use of our national resources, which include airways. Let the FCC and your elected officials know what you think about "The Ugly Face" broadcast and whether it was in the public interest. Don't let the accusations stand unanswered. Please join in a campaign for fairness in reporting by writing letters to the FCC, your congressman and senators.

Natalia Lysyj
Canoga Park, Calif.

"60 Minutes" report: repugnant and racist

Dear Editor:

Much has already been said about the vicious CBS "60 Minutes" segment titled "The Ugly Face of Freedom."

In my view as a citizen who proudly serves as a senior noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, this repugnant and racist segment, with its slurs, slander, lies and innuendo, is an insult to every Ukrainian American serving in our nation's armed forces.

Ukrainian Americans have always been in the forefront of civil rights movements. Ukrainian American soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen are the most resolute advocates of equal opportunity regardless of race, creed, gender or ethnic group.

Our advocacy and concern for minorities, religious tolerance and equal opportunity is easily understood by our tragic history.

For more than 300 years foreign occupants of Ukraine attempted to liquidate the Ukrainian language, culture, religion and identity. The barbaric 1932-1933 genocide of our people is indelibly forged on the consciousness of past, present and all our future generations.

From our experience as victims of genocide and savage racism - ethnic Ukrainians continue to be the most vigilant defenders of minority, religious and gender rights, and dignity.

The flower of a Ukrainian American generation proudly, heroically and unquestionably served our great nation in Vietnam Ukrainian Americans served in that conflict in numbers greatly exceeding our statistical proportion of the population.

While anti-war havoc raged on the home front, Ukrainian Americans unequivocally and proudly answered America's call to duty and defense of liberty.

With a great sense of pride, debt and duty, American servicemen and women of Ukrainian descent continue to proudly serve this great nation that took in our fathers and mothers, and gave us freedom, happiness and opportunity.

SGM Daniel Zahody
U.S. Army Special Forces
Presidio of Monterey, Calif.

| Home Page |