To say there are monumental things happening on Earth right now goes without question: democracy is teetering, climate change has passed the point of alarm, and Elon Musk wants Twitter in his personal portfolio…all this after the Easter holiday and the wrap up of Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 14. It’s a lot to follow and like Jesus, some of us only have 12 followers…a pitch perfect read courtesy of Queen Kornbread.
It’s surreal to see the daily devastation in Ukraine on television or on a smart phone from an ample distance away in America. We can change the channel if a war image is just too much or simply scroll past headlines of horror. Ukrainians cannot. We are geographically removed, yet gainfully connected to Ukraine, they are freedom loving folks, just like you and me. All of us are humans trying to make our way on the planet and share a little love – except Elon, word has it he’s trying to buy Mars to build a master planned community.
With all that’s going on, we must continue to support Ukraine. To humbly, and hopefully humorously, paraphrase an honorable, incredible man of peace and service, Dr. King…you don’t need a Pulitzer to support Ukraine, you don’t need a million clicks to support Ukraine, you only need artillery, tanks, air defense systems, and a soul generated by love.
Anne Applebaum, staff writer with The Atlantic interviewed Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the article is one to read. Applebaum and Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief at The Atlantic, share a byline on Liberation Without Victory, which includes a list of items Ukraine needs to fight Russia along with Zelensky’s take on Putin’s fear of humor and the truth comedy provides.
“Jesters were allowed to tell the truth in ancient kingdoms,” he said, but Russia “fears the truth.” Comedy remains “a powerful weapon” because it is accessible. “Complex mechanisms and political formulations are difficult for humans to grasp. But through humor, it’s easy; it’s a shortcut.” Volodymyr Zelensky, excerpt from Liberation Without Victory.