Do you ever avoid talking about the elephant in the room?

Well, I’m not going to do that today. The fact is, we are one big global family, and some of our kinfolk are wrapped up in a big ruckus right now that we can’t ignore.

Before I dive into a few thoughts on the bully versus the underdog, I’d like to share a few things I learned recently with all this focus on Ukraine. The backstory on the current debacle is a fascinating read in itself.

Did you know that Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe after Russia, larger in land mass than either France or Germany? Or that approximately 44 million people live there, making it larger population-wise than Canada or Afghanistan, a little less than South Korea or Spain.

Contrary to some common misconceptions, (and propaganda), it is vastly inaccurate to describe it as “part of Russia“. Competitor, yes; cousin, no. Sure, the language overlaps quite a bit, and being neighbors, a lot of family ties exist, but aside from the years when it was part of the Soviet Union it has always been a separate entity.

Some say that it would be more accurate to consider Russia as the Western edge of Asia while Ukraine sits at the Eastern edge of Europe. When you consider the history and cultural identity of either one, this makes sense. Russia, coming from the Tsarist tradition, is much more attuned to autocracy, having never had a tradition of democracy, or government by and for the people.

The secret of Ukraine‘s national identity however, is a surprise. The historical hero at the heart of modern Ukraine was a 19th-century poet, painter, and illustrator dedicated to universal democratic freedom named Taras Shevchenko or simply Kobzar, which means ‘bard’ in Ukrainian. This fellow inspired his countryman with the idea that freedom is the key value above all others and gave them the anti-colonial motto “Boritesia, poborete!” (Fight! You will prevail!) that lives on to this day.

Why does any of this matter to us, living and safe and secure countries in the west? Shouldn’t we mind your own business and let these foreigners work things out for themselves, as some say?

It matters because so much of what we take for granted as a result of our good fortune in living in a liberal democracy. Our freedom to live, love, work, create, speak, or even dance as we choose is predicated on the bedrock values of democracy.

Right now, Putin is the big dog of the dictators. The historical moment we happen to be living in is the struggle between two systems. The autocrats have no qualms about crushing human rights, trampling the environment, and ruling with an iron fist in the quest for power driven by greed. Western Liberal Democracy may not be perfect, we’ve had our share of fumbles, but it’s the only horse to bet on if we hope to work together solving the challenges to the common good facing us.

So let’s send our love and support to the good people of Ukraine, who are bravely standing up to an arch super-villain in the name of democracy. Only the most elderly among us have any first person recollection of the last time global democracy was on the line like this.

In the USA, folks often avoid politics in casual conversation and I don’t blame ’em. But what’s going on these days both here and around the world isn’t politics. It’s democracy, and whether it survives or not. Democracy is what enables us to have politics. The alternative is unthinkable, especially for peaceful, loving, creative types like you and me.

Holding a high vibe for you and our friends in Ukraine, let’s pray they prevail!

Much love until next Monday!

M+

Mark Metz
Director of the Dance First Association
Publisher of Conscious Dancer Magazine