A week after Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Brandeis finally decided to respond by holding events regarding the matter. I would really like to say that those events were good, but just like everything at Brandeis, they were a disappointment. But my bar for Brandeis has always been low, so what exactly was so outrageous to warrant another article?
Well, the series of events, sponsored by the Russian Department and Russian Club, wonderfully titled “Unity Week Against the War,” was essentially a celebration of Russian culture colored blue and yellow. I get it: The Russian-affiliated organizations at Brandeis were put into an awkward spot. But there were only two routes to go: Stay out of the spotlight or come out and support Ukraine in this disgusting violation of everything post-WWII Europe was supposed to stand for. It seems like they decided to go a third route though.
Let me start off by talking about the concept of a “unity week.” Are they really trying to push Russian and Ukrainian unity right now? This actually has got to be a joke. How many Ukrainians want to be “friends” with Russians right now? The people who lost their loved ones? Like this man who lost his wife and two children and found out from Twitter. Or maybe it’s the thousands of people who lost their homes? Maybe those who’ve lived in agony the past two weeks worried sick for their loved ones and their country. The answer is clearly all of the above.
Do they not understand the pain we are all in? This is my fucking home getting destroyed. For context, I am Ukrainian; I lived in Kyiv before coming to Brandeis. And I’m lucky, I’m thousands of miles away from all of this. Not that that helps me sleep at night. But millions of people are not so lucky. I cannot imagine the pain and trauma people who are actually in Ukraine have already endured (and unfortunately, how much more of it they likely will have to endure). And these people have the audacity to promote unity.
Are they actually telling me that there needs to be unity with Russians? I actually have no words, like I am in pure disbelief. These past two weeks have been like a living nightmare, and this just makes it that much more surreal. Maybe a few generations down the line, there can be “unity” but right now, when these wounds are so fresh they are still bleeding, bringing up anything like this is nothing short of appalling. If you were hoping that the unfortunate name/theme of this week is the only thing that went wrong, I am sorry to tell you that it is far from it.
Also, the irony of this being sponsored by a club and department that represents the invader is just too much to handle. In my most humble opinion, it would be better to leave the support of Ukraine events to a neutral party. I definitely do not want anything to do with anything Russian right now and do not have the mental health to go to their “supporting” events. But even the concepts make my blood boil.
Let’s go through the events of the week. First, we had the “International Women’s Day by Hillel and Fundraiser to Support Ukrainian Refugees.” According to the event description, you could “participate in a fundraiser to support Ukrainian refugees by buying a sunflower hairpin.” Great, celebrating women, sunflowers, donations to Ukraine; nothing bad to say here. Unfortunately the positive comments I have end here.
The next event was “Russian Alphabet for Anti-War Protests.” Okay, I get that this is sponsored by Russia-affiliated departments, but teaching the language of the invaders during a week that is supposed to be about the two coming together? So Ukrainian is not a language in your eyes? Especially in a conflict where language plays such a crucial part. Russia for a long time has claimed that Ukrainian is not a language, which all ties back to the idea that Ukraine isn’t a sovereign nation. Do I really need to spell out why this is fucked up? And I get it, there is no Ukrainian language course at this school, but if you know the Cyrillic alphabet, there are very few changes that need to be made to teach Ukrainian letters. Or at least frame this as learning the Cyrillic alphabet not Russian.
Also just for the record, if anyone has actually been to a protest, you would see that most signs are in English (so everyone can understand), with a few in Ukrainian and maybe one or two signs in Russian. Who thought this would be a good idea? The only context where a poster in Russian would be appropriate is if you are trying to speak on behalf of Russia/Russian people (i.e, Russian people writing “forgive us” on posters, as seen in protests around the world). This makes sense. But if you are going to an anti-war protest, please do not bring a sign in Russian. That is inconsiderate at best and extremely ignorant.
Next, was “‘War and Peace’ Then and Now” with chocolate cake to follow. But that isn’t really my issue with this event. My issue is that this is a discussion on a book by a Russian author yet again during a week that supposedly is about Ukraine. The website does note that this event was planned earlier, but they thought it was “relevant to the ongoing situation.” I guess a discussion about “War and Peace” may be relevant but including a Russian author (when there isn’t a single piece of Ukrainian literature discussed) is just in poor taste.
This one is probably my favorite: “Cheburashka Against the War,” where they would be making felt Cheburashkas. Cheburashka is a Soviet cartoon character, and according to the event description, a symbol “of friendship and brotherly love.” I have already covered the topic of friendship, but let me say this again: “Brotherly love” is a thing of the past. And not even the very recent past. Did everyone conveniently forget about the annexation of Crimea in 2014? Or the fact that there has been a war in Eastern Ukraine throughout this entire time? Or, going further back in history, the Holodomor (not officially considered, but, essentially, a genocide against Ukrainian people done by guess who)? If your “brother” killed your spouse and children, would you really consider them a brother after that?
Listen if you want to felt something, why not do something that is Ukrainian or neutral? White doves for example. Or sunflowers. Something that is not a freaking Soviet symbol. Not that there’s ever a time to celebrate Soviet culture, given all the atrocities committed under the regime, but if there ever was a time to NOT celebrate it, it’s definitely now. I cannot express how enraged this makes me; the narrative of Russia and Ukraine being friends has to stop. Especially because Putin’s supposed agenda is bringing Ukraine back into Russia, so pushing unity is as good as agreeing with his agenda. What exactly he wants is unclear, but Ukrainian independence/sovereignty definitely isn’t it.
Next up is a “Documentary on the Ukrainian Maidan Revolution” plus a Q&A with two Brandeis professors. As you can guess, one of the professors is a Russian studies professor. There are more than one hundred colleges in Massachusetts; could you really not find a Ukrainian professor to give this talk or at least have a Ukrainian professor there? Granted I do have to say that I am writing this before this event happened, and cannot comment on what was said during the Q&A (though is there really much hope to be had?). Of course, Russian and Ukrainian candy will be provided at the event.
The next event is a “Fundraiser for Ukraine,” which is described as “our second fundraiser with home-made cakes, bliny, and other Ukrainian/Russian dishes.” Now let me just highlight something that is said on another poster: “All proceeds will go to support Ukrainian refugees and Russian anti-war protesters.” When someone first texted me about this, I just couldn’t believe it. No one would have the audacity to equate these two. But no, yet again Brandeis proves that my already low bar was held too high.
Now, I am not saying that what is happening to the anti-war protesters in Russia is good or right. Or that they do not deserve support. But you cannot equate them to Ukrainian refugees who are running for their literal LIVES. Putting the two as equal causes is fucked up. I really do not know how else to explain it. How can people be this insensitive? How can you think that jailed protesters = refugees running for their lives? How? I have so much more to say about this, but if people do not understand that this is not okay, then I don’t think there are any words I can say to explain.
Also, let me take a second to talk about the name of the event “All-We-Need-Is-PEACE.” This is probably the first thing I fully agree with. But here’s the problem: If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no more Ukraine. If Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. So why exactly are you trying to support both sides here? You cannot support both sides in this conflict.
The final event of this week is “Ukrainian/Russian/Jewish cooking: Borsch.” Once again we cannot seem to shake Russian off the Ukrainian thing. Ukraine has the most solid claims over borsch, or at least the most famous variation of it. Props to them for making a Ukrainian dish, but once again they had to include Russia in it. (I acknowledge that it is a staple dish in many Eastern European cuisines, but come on.)
The final blow to me was this quote on the Russian Studies Department page. “The faculty of the Brandeis Russian Studies program condemns Russia’s military assault on Ukraine and President Putin’s use of historical distortions and cynical lies to justify Russia’s attack on Ukrainian sovereignty. We stand with all the people of Ukraine and Russia who oppose this war. Our hearts are with our students, alums and colleagues, many of whom have family and friends in the region. As we are all deeply distressed by these events and ask ourselves what we can do, the Russian Studies program will continue its work toward our declared learning goals, which include helping students apply the acquired understanding of literary, linguistic, and historical analysis to raise and explore new questions about Russia and the Russophone world. We believe that acquiring this knowledge and skills is ever more important in these difficult times. We recognize that our classes will now take place in the shadow of this war, and we are here to support our students and colleagues.”
I am so happy they stand with the people of both countries. But what should I be surprised about? Through all of these events, they clearly showed that they do not in fact stand with Ukraine. The fact that they can’t even pretend to be is disgusting. There is no way to stand with both Russia and Ukraine in this war. (Also my favorite term, “military assault.” You can find my response to this in a previous article.)
Overall, this really was a week of ignoring Ukrainian culture and instead presenting Russian culture painted blue and yellow. (And no, putting blue and yellow on everything does not make it more Ukrainian.) If the goal of this was to support Ukraine and Ukrainian students, why not do something about UKRAINIAN culture? And more importantly, just leave Russia out of it. This is not a story where you can take both sides. It has been said many times, but let me say this again: If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no more Ukraine. If Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. What two sides are we even talking about? Do I actually have to mass email graphic images from the invasion for people to understand that what Russia is doing is atrocious? Yesterday, a children’s hospital and maternity ward were shelled. You cannot look me in the eyes and tell me about another “side.”
Brandeis, I am so disappointed in you. I am embarrassed to be a Brandeis student. I cannot believe that during this difficult, for lack of a better word, time, I have to also deal with this. Do better Brandeis. You are happy to brag about your Ukrainian alums that you are so proud of, but what about the Ukrainian students that are here now? Do you really think this has not tainted my experience at Brandeis? I am already in so much pain, and all of this feels like you are taking a knife and jabbing it further in. There isn’t much I can do about all of this, but I hope everyone involved with this outrageous response takes a long hard look in the mirror.
Edit 3/14: Someone else put this nicely as well:
