Ukraine

Since ancient times, a major provocation for war was persistent dispute over property lines. Land was the precious commodity of every nation. Those in control of the land determined who could farm, hunt and mine, or even cross the land to reach other areas.

Blacks have been protesting against racial abuse in America for centuries. White discrimination against Blacks is considered to be endemic. Only recently have Blacks become aware that violence by whites is even more extensive. Some of those supporting the Black Lives Matter campaign were surprised to learn that the police also kill a substantially greater number of unarmed whites than Blacks.

Following the announcement of a federal plan to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, local leaders and organizations have voiced support for the proposed action, while also noting perceived inequities between the treatment of Ukrainian refugees in comparison with the treatment of migrants from predominantly non-white countries and hoping that the action can jumpstart change in the U.S. migration system.

It was shocking to many Americans that Vladimir Putin could be responsible for a reign of terror against his own brother and sister Slavs. The provocation was that Ukrainians refused to bow and become subservient to the president of Russia. This inter-Slavic hostility brought to mind the continuing racial conflict in America.

With Ukraine under siege and people making a frantic dash to NATO border countries like Poland, Hungary, Moldova and other neighboring nations for safety, reports of acts of discrimination and violence against Africans surfaced. Sadly, anti-Black racism will also be part of Ukraine’s war narrative.

Mayor Michelle Wu hosted an informational session with Yusufi Vali, Director of the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA), to discuss Ukraine and “how Bostonians can support global communities in crisis,” before attending a rally in support of the embattled country Sunday.

So many American Republicans have canonized a dictator who has established a kleptocracy that deprives its citizens and wages war to annex the sovereign state of Ukraine.