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When Russia attacked Ukraine unprovoked this February in what has become a brutal daily reminder of the fragility of peace amidst the horror of unchecked colonial ambitions, I was flooded with memories of my years in the Peace Corps in the former Soviet Republic of Latvia from 1999-2001. I remembered the optimism of post-Cold War independence. I thought, too, about what I had learned about the peaceful Baltic Singing Revolution (1987-1991) that led to Latvia’s Independence--a miracle of language, music, and solidarity to effect mass social change. Finally, I thought of my own experiences learning Russian in Latvia, about it what it meant both personally and politically to endeavor to learn someone else’s language. I thought about the potential of language to bridge who we define as ‘us’ and who we define as ‘them.’
The result was this essay. I wrote the initial draft in a flood of emotion and horror. I am grateful to deputy editor Eryn Loeb of Guernica for finding the through line and for working tirelessly with me over multiple drafts to shape it not only conceptually, but artistically. Thanks to the copy editor! Thanks to the fact-checker! Thanks, too, to my wonderful friends who read drafts, offered feedback, checked my facts and imperfect memory and translations and politics and diacritical marks. A special thank you to my friends in Latvia, some of whom have family in Ukraine, who amidst their own trauma, took the time and space to share their experiences and reflections with me. Kristine, Cathy, Matt, Catherine, Alla, Judy, Heather, Indra, Mary, Jesse Lee, Lana, David, Ivan, Andrejs, you all are the best. Even a short essay takes a village! Writing is not a solitary undertaking!
I commit to donating my honorarium to humanitarian aid to Ukrainians via this Latvian site, which Latvian friends have recommended. There are so many pressing needs right now. As the war continues, if you can, please consider joining me.