How the crisis in Ukraine has held up a mirror to all of us
In this edition of Leaps and Bounds, we look at the racism that pervades in times of crises, as has been seen throughout the war in Ukraine and evacuation effort. It’s critical to practice antiracism in all aspects and ensure aid and support is extended universally to people in need.
We can’t not talk about Ukraine – the story and situation dominating the world and keeping us all on edge in a way we haven’t felt since…March of 2020. We have seen how global crises reveal the good, bad, and the ugly about us as individuals, as a collective society, and the power (or lack thereof) of our institutions. The war has brought to light how we as a global society treat the most marginalized, and how important it is to continue antiracism work. These fault lines in how we treat have been clearly exposed both on the ground and outside of Ukraine.
On the ground – Who gets left behind
Several news outlets have documented incidents of racism in the process of evacuation. Foreign students studying in Ukraine were denied boarding buses and trains as they tried to evacuate, told that “No Blacks” could board, and forced to continue their journey on foot in freezing temperatures. Everyone in Ukraine was trying to get to safety, but some people’s safety was more important than others. In times of crisis, seeing who gets left behind, who is neglected at the expense of others, or who is prioritized is a mirror which reflects our values. The reckoning lies in whether we are ok with what we see. Ukrainian officials denied that there was any priority or stratification of who was allowed to evacuate, yet at the individual level, racist policies and decisions were in full force. The fact that racism is so deep rooted that even when individuals are all seeking the same basic goal, safety, is a reminder that in times of stress or duress, our deepest biases and prejudices come to light, regardless of circumstance.
From afar – Exposing privilege by comparison and dehumanization
Beyond the discrimination that was happening on the ground in Ukraine, the curtain was also pulled back on many journalists and news reporters and how they covered the situation. An NBC news correspondent said “These aren’t refugees from Syria, these are refugees from Ukraine” and as if the comparison wasn’t clear, the reporter goes on to say “They’re Christians, they’re white. They’re very similar [to us].” This is just one of many similar comments which all imply the same thing – that it is, by some measure, more unacceptable for white, blonde-haired, blue-eyed Christians to have to flee war, and by corollary, that it is more ‘acceptable’ for people from the Middle East or countries in Africa to do so. These comments were all a version of trying to explain just how bad the situation was in Ukraine, that such terrible events could happen to people even if they’re white – and that is what is scary about this situation. Biases still come out loud and clear even for individuals viewing the situation from afar.
Mitigating against these effects
Knowing that our deepest biases come out in these situations is the first step to addressing them. It is clear that antiracism doesn’t and can’t just exist in a vacuum, in books or in workshops, but that it needs to be practiced and lived. It’s easier to be antiracist in times of peace and prosperity, for countries, societies, or even organizations. However, the true measure is how antiracism takes hold, or doesn’t, in times of difficulty. Reporters have made apologies, and there is a bit more attention being paid to the plight of the marginalized in Ukraine but there is still so much more to do on this front at the individual and institutional level to drive change. Those with privilege can stand up and be a voice and ally to those who can’t speak up for themselves (or who aren’t being heard), and this is true no matter where you are in the world or what form the discrimination takes. It’s imperative that we talk about these issues, shine a light on them, and continue our own individual antiracism journeys in order to continue to fight for the safety and humanity of everyone.
