Ukraine is alone. The people do not know how they will survive.
Last night, on The Rachel Maddow Show, a man spoke with Rachel, a restaurant owner who is living with some neighbors in the basement of their apartment building, which was bombed by the Russian military. He said that he didn’t know whether to stay in Kyiv or to leave. ‘No pl…
Ukraine is alone. The people do not know how they will survive.
Last night, on The Rachel Maddow Show, a man spoke with Rachel, a restaurant owner who is living with some neighbors in the basement of their apartment building, which was bombed by the Russian military. He said that he didn’t know whether to stay in Kyiv or to leave. ‘No place is safe.’ He asked the people of the world to help Ukraine. ‘We are a small country. We cannot match …’
‘Please, don’t be silent.’
‘My friends are in basements, in flight, and under fire. Help.’
By Timothy Snyder
‘Yesterday I sent out a list of charities and NGOs who are helping Ukrainians during Russia’s senseless and murderous invasion. Some of you asked for places where you could use your credit cards instead of bank transfers. The below list are international charities working in Ukraine who can take donations from credit cards:’
Libereco Partnership for Human Rights, evacuation and medical assistance
#1 Click here for a curated list of organizations you can choose from to support the people of Ukraine. These have been vetted by partner organizations we trust and our friends on the ground.
Russia's at war with Ukraine. Here's how we got here (NPR) - A detailed overview of what's happened between Russia and Ukraine since Ukraine gained independence.
"I have been breathless watching the terror in Ukraine unfold. Russia’s invasion comes in the midst of nearly a decade of escalating tension, violence, and antagonization. Since 2014, at least 14,000 lives have been claimed as the result of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and persistent military presence.
"To the people of Russia: We see you marching in the streets, risking arrest, bearing the cold, and holding your signs high: NO WAR. Your courage is a beacon. You show the world that Russia’s leadership is not Russia’s people. Only you have the power to stop this war at the source. Keep going!
"To the people of Ukraine: We see you — waking to the sound of sirens, pulling your children from the windows, and preparing to protect all you love. We tremble with you, and wail with you. You are not alone. We are rising up in solidarity and sending you our prayers, our action, and our aid.
"To the children of Ukraine: When I told my son about you, he wanted to send you our prayer Tati Vao Na Lagi. My grandfather sang this as a soldier in World War II. When German air raids came at night, he slept on the ground and imagined this Sikh prayer as his shield. So tonight, we closed our eyes and sang his prayer for you. We imagined a shimmering gold shield around your homes and your families and you. The prayer means: “The hot winds cannot touch you, you are shielded by Love.”
"And so, I ask all of us:
"What if we made a shield of love?
"What if this was the moment an unprecedented number of people around the world stood against war? What if we shifted collective consciousness so that never again would any government win support to start a war? What if our voices and songs and actions flooded Russia and Ukraine now, bringing aid and courage and change?
"We can choose to see no stranger — to see the people of Ukraine as our family, and the soldiers of Russia as lost ones who can be called home. We can let that sight shape how we grieve — and what we do. Each of us has a role.
"Just remember, my love, we are tired and wired and stressed from pandemic and injustice. Now, war. So breathe and rest before you push, read and learn before you respond. Revolutionary love is not the sacrifice of an individual, but the practice of a community. Together, courage."
... and more, from this inspired, purpose driven young mother:
A GUIDED INQUIRY FOR THIS MOMENT
I invite you into this guided inquiry to process emotion and find breath and action.
Where do you notice feeling grief in your body? What is the quality of that grief? What is the shape of grief inside of you? If it feels uncomfortable, take another deep breath and stay with it. Breathe through it.
What does your body need to be brave with this grief? What do you need to feel it and to move through this energy? What rituals are you called to? Who do you need by your side.
Who have you not yet grieved with? Whose story have you not fully let into your heart? What community’s struggle have you not fully taken in? Notice what is happening in your body. If your fists tighten, or your heart beats fast, or if shame rises to your face, it’s okay. Breathe through it. Trust that you can. The heart is a muscle: The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. You don’t need to know people in order to grieve with them. You grieve with them in order to know them.
What do you need to do to be able to grieve with them? What vigils or marches need you? What houses of worship are you ready to visit? What phone call are you ready to make? You can begin where you are, with a simple text or email, saying to someone “I’m here for you."
You have a role to play that no one else can play. You don’t have to know all the answers now. You simply need to allow yourself to feel the power that you have, the abilities that you have, the voice that you have, and invite that deepest wisdom inside of you to guide you into what you need to do now and next.
*******
This guided inquiry comes from the GRIEVE portal on our Learning Hub. Explore the full Learning Hub, with all our resources, available to you here:
The Revolutionary Love Project envisions a world where love is a public ethic and shared practice in our lives and politics. We generate stories, tools, and thought leadership to equip people to practice the ethic of love in the fight for social justice.
The Revolutionary Love Project is a project of Community Partners, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and intermediary organization that provides us with administrative services, expert guidance, and the benefits of tax-exempt status.
How could I have not known about the Revolutionary Love Project and Valerie Kaur until now? This is just what our country and the world needs. I know that I need it. I look forward to reading Valerie Kaur’s book, See No Stranger.
Thank you so, so much, Kathleen, for sharing this.
Envisioning a shield of love and compassion and strength is exactly how I went to sleep last night, after watching the NYT video of ordinary citizens taking up arms to protect their home, women included. Certainly this has happened for millenia, but only in recent years have we been able to watch it happen in real time. Yes, if we all did this, created a shield of love, what might happen? Let's try.
... with you in circle of healing light and love, Beth ... many such networks of focused energy and intent wrapping around our planet - it's the least we can do!!
And thanks to you too Fern - and all of us who spend hours on end to share in this forum - especially to Professor Cox-Richardson for giving us the timely information, insight and platform to share ...!!
When you look into what the Ukrainian people have gone through at the hands of the Russians in the past you can begin to imagine why they are fighting so very hard for their country and their way of life.
The movie 'Mr. Jones' is a painful, horrible story about the Soviet Union starving millions of Ukrainians (don't watch it if you are not feeling particularly sturdy emotionally) ~ it gutted me, but did give insight into the history of Ukraine under Russia. It's currently available on Hulu.
Thank you Fern! I am happy to contribute, only sorry that I can't give more. I would get on a plane, and learn how to shoot a gun and get there asap and help fight if I could. I am devastated about this.
Ukraine is alone. The people do not know how they will survive.
Last night, on The Rachel Maddow Show, a man spoke with Rachel, a restaurant owner who is living with some neighbors in the basement of their apartment building, which was bombed by the Russian military. He said that he didn’t know whether to stay in Kyiv or to leave. ‘No place is safe.’ He asked the people of the world to help Ukraine. ‘We are a small country. We cannot match …’
‘Please, don’t be silent.’
‘My friends are in basements, in flight, and under fire. Help.’
By Timothy Snyder
‘Yesterday I sent out a list of charities and NGOs who are helping Ukrainians during Russia’s senseless and murderous invasion. Some of you asked for places where you could use your credit cards instead of bank transfers. The below list are international charities working in Ukraine who can take donations from credit cards:’
Libereco Partnership for Human Rights, evacuation and medical assistance
https://www.lphr.org/en/humanitaere-soforthilfe-fuer-die-ukraine/
Caritas, humanitarian assistance
https://www.caritas.org/ukraine-appeal-22/
Malteser International, evacuation assistance. (Make sure you have selected "Ukraine")
https://www.malteserinternational.org/en/donation.htmlamount-100&interval=0&fb_item_id=24633
‘And then others of you were intrigued by the mention of the crowdsourcing of the Ukrainian army. If you want to do that, go to
Army SOS'
https://armysos.com.ua/en/help-the-army
To fund protective and other defensive gear for the Ukrainian army, go to
Save Life'
https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/
Please help them.
Fern, here are some additional resources from Valarie Kaur of The Revolutionary Love Project (( https://www.revolutionarylove.net/ )):
HOW TO HELP IMMEDIATELY:
#1 Click here for a curated list of organizations you can choose from to support the people of Ukraine. These have been vetted by partner organizations we trust and our friends on the ground.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CdrWLAkEaOMV7fBbIWzHsgHmFz8s1GM6e_7a57oc3ug/mobilebasic
*******
#2 Contact your elected officials to voice your support for peace in Ukraine.
https://www.uacrisisresponse.org/events
*******
To learn more, read these:
Russia's at war with Ukraine. Here's how we got here (NPR) - A detailed overview of what's happened between Russia and Ukraine since Ukraine gained independence.
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/12/1080205477/history-ukraine-russia
*******
Ukraine profile (BBC) - This timeline provides deep historical context on the evolution of the region that is modern day Ukraine.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18010123#:~:text=1772-1795%20-%20Most%20of%20western%20Ukraine%20is%20absorbed,development%20of%20Ukrainian%20literature%2C%20education%2C%20and%20historical%20research
... and this message from Valarie:
"My loves,
"I have been breathless watching the terror in Ukraine unfold. Russia’s invasion comes in the midst of nearly a decade of escalating tension, violence, and antagonization. Since 2014, at least 14,000 lives have been claimed as the result of Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and persistent military presence.
"To the people of Russia: We see you marching in the streets, risking arrest, bearing the cold, and holding your signs high: NO WAR. Your courage is a beacon. You show the world that Russia’s leadership is not Russia’s people. Only you have the power to stop this war at the source. Keep going!
"To the people of Ukraine: We see you — waking to the sound of sirens, pulling your children from the windows, and preparing to protect all you love. We tremble with you, and wail with you. You are not alone. We are rising up in solidarity and sending you our prayers, our action, and our aid.
"To the children of Ukraine: When I told my son about you, he wanted to send you our prayer Tati Vao Na Lagi. My grandfather sang this as a soldier in World War II. When German air raids came at night, he slept on the ground and imagined this Sikh prayer as his shield. So tonight, we closed our eyes and sang his prayer for you. We imagined a shimmering gold shield around your homes and your families and you. The prayer means: “The hot winds cannot touch you, you are shielded by Love.”
"And so, I ask all of us:
"What if we made a shield of love?
"What if this was the moment an unprecedented number of people around the world stood against war? What if we shifted collective consciousness so that never again would any government win support to start a war? What if our voices and songs and actions flooded Russia and Ukraine now, bringing aid and courage and change?
"We can choose to see no stranger — to see the people of Ukraine as our family, and the soldiers of Russia as lost ones who can be called home. We can let that sight shape how we grieve — and what we do. Each of us has a role.
"Just remember, my love, we are tired and wired and stressed from pandemic and injustice. Now, war. So breathe and rest before you push, read and learn before you respond. Revolutionary love is not the sacrifice of an individual, but the practice of a community. Together, courage."
Yours,
Valarie
... and more, from this inspired, purpose driven young mother:
A GUIDED INQUIRY FOR THIS MOMENT
I invite you into this guided inquiry to process emotion and find breath and action.
Where do you notice feeling grief in your body? What is the quality of that grief? What is the shape of grief inside of you? If it feels uncomfortable, take another deep breath and stay with it. Breathe through it.
What does your body need to be brave with this grief? What do you need to feel it and to move through this energy? What rituals are you called to? Who do you need by your side.
Who have you not yet grieved with? Whose story have you not fully let into your heart? What community’s struggle have you not fully taken in? Notice what is happening in your body. If your fists tighten, or your heart beats fast, or if shame rises to your face, it’s okay. Breathe through it. Trust that you can. The heart is a muscle: The more you use it, the stronger it becomes. You don’t need to know people in order to grieve with them. You grieve with them in order to know them.
What do you need to do to be able to grieve with them? What vigils or marches need you? What houses of worship are you ready to visit? What phone call are you ready to make? You can begin where you are, with a simple text or email, saying to someone “I’m here for you."
You have a role to play that no one else can play. You don’t have to know all the answers now. You simply need to allow yourself to feel the power that you have, the abilities that you have, the voice that you have, and invite that deepest wisdom inside of you to guide you into what you need to do now and next.
*******
This guided inquiry comes from the GRIEVE portal on our Learning Hub. Explore the full Learning Hub, with all our resources, available to you here:
https://valariekaur.com/learninghub/
*******
The Revolutionary Love Project envisions a world where love is a public ethic and shared practice in our lives and politics. We generate stories, tools, and thought leadership to equip people to practice the ethic of love in the fight for social justice.
https://www.revolutionarylove.net
https://www.facebook.com/valarie.kaur.page/
https://www.facebook.com/revloveproject/
https://mobile.twitter.com/revloveproject
https://www.instagram.com/valariekaur/
*******
The Revolutionary Love Project is a project of Community Partners, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and intermediary organization that provides us with administrative services, expert guidance, and the benefits of tax-exempt status.
https://communitypartners.org
How could I have not known about the Revolutionary Love Project and Valerie Kaur until now? This is just what our country and the world needs. I know that I need it. I look forward to reading Valerie Kaur’s book, See No Stranger.
Thank you so, so much, Kathleen, for sharing this.
<3
Thank you ☺️
❤️❤️🌿❤️❤️❤️
Yes, I am with Fern's many hearts on this! Another Bravo!!
❤️🌿❤️🪴
Beautiful.
Envisioning a shield of love and compassion and strength is exactly how I went to sleep last night, after watching the NYT video of ordinary citizens taking up arms to protect their home, women included. Certainly this has happened for millenia, but only in recent years have we been able to watch it happen in real time. Yes, if we all did this, created a shield of love, what might happen? Let's try.
... with you in circle of healing light and love, Beth ... many such networks of focused energy and intent wrapping around our planet - it's the least we can do!!
Oh my God, I am praying and crying for all of you.... this will be the turning of the tide in our world, I have to believe that.
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.❤️🥲❤️
And another...https://togetherrising.org/give/
Charity Navigator gives them a 97 rating.
BIG Thank you, Kathleen. Speaking for the forum, hoping there are no objections, Much Thanks.
And thanks to you too Fern - and all of us who spend hours on end to share in this forum - especially to Professor Cox-Richardson for giving us the timely information, insight and platform to share ...!!
Thank you, Kathleen. I shared these on Facebook.
Snyder has an excellent article on his sub stack "Thinking About" today and adds both lists where people can contribute.
I posted most of it here. It is near but not quite at the end of today's forum.
When you look into what the Ukrainian people have gone through at the hands of the Russians in the past you can begin to imagine why they are fighting so very hard for their country and their way of life.
The movie 'Mr. Jones' is a painful, horrible story about the Soviet Union starving millions of Ukrainians (don't watch it if you are not feeling particularly sturdy emotionally) ~ it gutted me, but did give insight into the history of Ukraine under Russia. It's currently available on Hulu.
Thank you, I have to watch it, painful or not. It's the least that I can do.
Thanks Fern.
Thank you Fern! I am happy to contribute, only sorry that I can't give more. I would get on a plane, and learn how to shoot a gun and get there asap and help fight if I could. I am devastated about this.
You are generous, Cynthia. Please stay strong in spirit and love. Salud!
Thank you, Fern. I shared these on Facebook.
Thank you, Mim.