In a demonstration of the College’s mission to educate world citizens, Sarah Lawrence faculty, students, and staff came together on March 22 to meet with some of their counterparts in war-torn Ukraine.
Faculty members Roland Dollinger (German, literature) and Melissa Frazier (Russian, literature) convened the hour-long Zoom session in the Library’s Pillow Room, with over 30 members of the Sarah Lawrence community in attendance. Connecting from half a world away and with a six hour time difference, students and faculty from a university in Dnipro shared their harrowing experiences and gratitude for the concern and connection from students in the West.
Professor Dollinger opened the conversation by asking about daily life in Dnipro. Students and representatives from the university described hearing nonstop sirens but emphasized the collective pride and unity among Ukrainian citizens. One student described how everyone volunteered in defense of the nation, and that she personally had been knitting socks for soldiers on the frontlines.
Professor Frazier inquired about Russia’s claim that Ukraine is not historically or culturally an independent state. “It is our country,” came one of several adamant replies. “We are a strong country, a peaceful country. We live in this blessed land and we want to defend it.”
One Sarah Lawrence student, who is Russian and asked for anonymity for fear of retribution on her family back home, arose to express solidarity with the Ukrainian cause. She shared the following:
“I studied Ukrainian and I knew what I wanted to say, but I was so emotional I had to stick with my first language, Russian, a language most people in central Ukraine share with us. I told them that I have never felt so ashamed and disappointed in my country. I also said that the whole world is with them right now, including many Russians who are not being silent and are facing the consequences of speaking out. One of the professors from Dnipro thanked me for our support. I can’t begin to imagine what they are going through right now. I can only hope that knowing that the aggressor’s country’s people are fighting to stop this unfair, cruel, and senseless war too will strengthen them in this ongoing fight for justice and peace. I hope this nightmare will come to an end soon.”
Asked how Americans can meaningfully show support, Ukrainian students and professors uniformly said the best thing anyone can do is to speak up to fight disinformation. “We are hearing from Russian friends that we are bombing ourselves,” said one student. “Share the truth about what is happening in Ukraine. We didn’t start this war and we are under attack.”
“The gap in the depictions on the Russian side has left an awful hole,” a Ukrainian faculty member said. “When people don’t understand the value of human life, it is awful. Every human being is valuable.”
Professors Dollinger and Frazier hope to foster an ongoing relationship between Sarah Lawrence and the university in Dnipro. Concurrently, the College will continue its efforts to understand and educate about the situation in Ukraine on April 5, when Dr. Donald Jensen, director for Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace, will deliver the annual Bozeman Lecture, this year bearing the topic, “Putin’s War in Ukraine.”
Names and identifying details regarding individuals noted in this story and in accompanying photos have been omitted to protect their anonymity.