By Nysa Gandhi
All eyes turn to Ukraine in shock and dismay as war crimes continue to be carried out by the Russian military. These attacks come at a time when people are struggling to find tangible ways to help Ukraine. Well, look no further than Baltimore to find the answer.
Businesses, charities, religious organizations, and people all over the city have been doing whatever they can to send aid to Ukraine, whether in the form of money, clothing, food, or shelter. Ms. Kyle, RPCS Upper School head, says: “What surprised a lot of foreign scholars is how fast the rest of the world has come out in condemnation of Russia and the way that corporations have taken it upon themselves to sever ties and go along with additional sanctions.”
While the sanctions have effectively hindered the Russian economy, there is still the problem of aiding the Ukrainian refugees that have moved into surrounding countries, including Poland and Romania.
One business that has stepped up to the plate is Max’s Taphouse, a bar in Fells Point known for its wide selection of beers from all over the world. When asked what they have been doing to aid Ukraine, owner of the bar Ron Furman says, “Not enough. And what I mean is, all we can do is a little piece of something to keep it in the limelight and do what we could in our little part of the world.”
“There is a company that sells Eastern European products and I told them that if they could bring a truck down with all of the vodka and the beer, I would call the other bar owners in Fells Point and we would buy it,” said Furman. And that’s exactly what happened. Along with Max’s Taphouse, bars like Kooper’s Tavern have purchased and sold Ukrainian beer and liquor while sending 100% of the profits to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit devoted to providing meals in the wake of humanitarian crises.
However, this camaraderie is not new for the businesses in Baltimore. “People in the hospitality business, it’s instinctive - that’s what we do. At Max’s, we do this all the time. If there’s a cause, we help out,” says Furman. This becomes especially apparent from events like Hurricane Isabelle and the BLM protests when restaurant owners banded together to feed first responders and protestors.
In another major step, Maryland has ended its “Sister State” relationship with a region in Russia that includes the city of St. Petersburg. This relationship dates back to 1993, as tensions between the US and Russia lessened following the culmination of the Cold War.
In lieu of that partnership, Baltimore has rekindled its relationship with Odesa, a region in Ukraine that holds a port only a short 50 miles from the Russian-controlled region of Crimea.
Additionally, protests have been held throughout Maryland while businesses, churches, and schools have put up blue and yellow colors on their storefronts and doors to show their support for the Ukrainian people.
Seeing others get involved is a great way to get inspired to do the same. Furman says, “High school students need to be powerful examples to their peers. It’s about loyalty, honor, integrity and service.”
Making a difference does not have to mean setting up a food drive or traveling to Ukraine to help displaced people. There are plenty of ways to aid in the humanitarian crisis from exactly where you are. When asked about ways to help, Ms. Kyle says, “For those refugees that make the choice to leave for their safety, there are organizations that can help. These are the places that make the most difference. Even if you donate furniture, clothing, or money, it helps immigrants with their safety, security, and quality of life.”
In addition to donating, many businesses are selling Ukrainian goods with the proceeds going to help refugees, not unlike Max’s Taphouse. Milk Reclamation Barn is selling Ukrainian candles with blue and yellow wax, with all of the profits going towards buying critical equipment like medical devices and sleeping bags.
While the rush of support and aid for Ukraine has been both heartwarming and devastatingly necessary, there has been an important distinction raised by multiple history scholars on the difference in response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis vs. the Syrian refugee crisis.
Ms. Kyle says, “This is a white country invading a white country, and the interest in it is something that is noticed. Why didn’t we act more with Syria? Why didn't we protest more during the Iraq war, a war of choice?”
It’s up to the rest of the world to hold up democratic ideals in the face of tyranny, as Ms. Kyle says: “Ideas are better and policies are better when we have more people weighing in, more minds.” So, as the public takes action, it’s imperative to remember that everyone is worth fighting for.
When asked about the USA’s role in handling these crises, Kyle says, “All Americans have to have that humility of realizing that we have a different perspective on the world and others are influenced by the decisions we make and that our government makes for us. Listening to and understanding those perspectives will make us more of a force for good.”
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