avatarJustiss Goode | F😄M

Summary

The author of the article expresses their decision to cease public discussion about the conflict in Ukraine, despite their initial intention to support Ukrainian refugees financially, due to the discrimination faced by black individuals in the war zone and the selective visibility of global conflicts.

Abstract

The author begins by expressing a personal struggle with their passionate responses to global issues, particularly those affecting children. They had previously committed to donating earnings to support Ukrainian refugees and updating readers on their efforts. However, the author has reconsidered their approach after learning about the discrimination against black students and other individuals of color trying to evacuate from Ukraine. This revelation, coupled with the realization that the war in Ukraine receives disproportionate attention compared to other conflicts, especially those in Africa, has led the author to question the global selectivity in addressing humanitarian crises. The author decides to honor their financial commitment but will no longer discuss the situation publicly, feeling uninformed about the complexities of global conflicts and the media's role in highlighting certain wars over others. They advocate for acknowledging all conflicts equally and plan to learn more about the plight of African people in similar crises, whose stories are often overlooked.

Opinions

  • The author is deeply troubled by the reports of discrimination against blacks in Ukraine, which resonates with their own difficult childhood experiences.
  • They believe that the media's focus on the war in Ukraine overshadows other international conflicts, particularly those affecting African nations.
  • The author feels that their initial desire to speak out has been complicated by the political nature of the conflict and the selective outrage it receives.
  • They question why certain conflicts are more visible and garner more international support than others.
  • The author emphasizes that all wars are equally devastating and that society should not show favoritism in its concern for global conflicts.
  • Despite their decision to remain silent on the issue, the author maintains a commitment to helping others, including those who are often ignored in mainstream media coverage.
  • The author encourages readers to become more

Here’s Why I’m DONE Talking About Ukraine!

Why are blacks discriminated against even in the midst of a war?

Photo by Seth Doyle on Unsplash

I hate that I’m always so passionate and quick to take a stand on an issue. Too many times, I find myself being swept away by feelings, especially when children are involved.

As a result, I make a comment, a promise, a vow or some type of declaration about my intentions to do what I can.

This is what I did recently, in one of my stories. I wrote how I planned to donate some of my earnings and sharing updates with readers.

But today, I’m changing my mind about how I plan to proceed, with regard to Ukraine, such as how I’ve decided to keep my mouth closed from now on!

Feel free to read why, and perhaps you’ll understand

Discrimination against blacks always becomes an issue

I lived a hard life, and as a child, I knew what it meant to go to bed starving. My battlefield as a child, was on the streets of Los Angeles.

I was just one among many little black children living in poverty, and the product of a severely broken home. I had to bounce from place to place, often not knowing where we’d lay our head for the night.

I suffered for a great deal of my childhood, which ultimately affected my life as an adult, that’s why I hate the thought of any child going through what I went through, or worse.

It was only natural for my heart to go out to the people in Ukraine, when I watched them on television, fleeing with small children and babies. I can relate to a lot of what they’re going through.

But as sad and as horrifying as the situation is, today I was confronted with yet another truth about what’s going on in Ukraine, and also the rest of the world.

Discrimination against blacks! It has been reported that among the foreign students stuck or detained in the war zone areas, are Africans and other students of color.

Apparently, during the efforts to evacuate people from Ukraine, these blacks have been treated as second-class citizens, even by Ukrainian officials.

I’d be lying if I said this didn’t disturb me.

This same news report I was watching, made mention of how the war in Ukraine has become so visible to the rest of the world, and people are rallying against it. But then it posed a question that I really had to think about.

Why is this war any worse than all the other international conflicts that have been raging on, out of the public’s eye?

How many conflicts are there in or near, or having to do with Africa, and where are the loud outcries for justice?

I’m not saying I know the answer to this question, because I don’t. But what I do know, is that the question matters; at least it matters to me.

So what does this mean going forward?

Final Thoughts

I made a decision to lend my monetary support to Ukrainian Refugees, and I plan to stick to that decision. But I won’t continue talking about it, or notifying my readers about my actions.

My desire to help is still there, but I have no willingness to get dragged into the political mire of it all. Unfortunately, that’s what I find happening to me.

As I try to stay abreast of what’s going on, I find myself feeding into the news frenzy, and feeling like I’m not doing enough.

But where are the images of current African conflicts? Why aren’t they publicized in the same way? Where are all the black mothers and babies from wherever, who have had to be evacuated from war torn countries, not to mention natural disasters that are just as devastating?

How exactly does the world pick and choose on what counts as bad enough for everyone to start speaking out?

I hate what’s happening in Ukraine, and I still feel strongly about it, in spite of my anger and dismay over my black brothers and sisters constantly being ignored during these same type of crisis.

What I’ve come to appreciate, is that I don’t know enough about the world and the ongoing conflicts to weigh in with my voice.

How can I, when only the battles and wars that THEY want to bring into our living rooms are the ones we end up getting so emotional about.

ALL WAR IS HELL! We as a society, should stop playing favorites.

While I’m glad that I care enough to try and help other people who don’t look like me, it saddens my heart, to think of all those who are also suffering, who do look like me.

With so many people around the world, already on the band wagon to speak out against war in Ukraine, I think I’ll save my voice for the time being, and learn more about some of the other conflicts that involve my African brothers and sisters.

Their situations might not be as visible, but I suspect some are just as dire.

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War News
Ukraine
Afriica
Black
Discrimination
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