Thread by @Russian_Starr

I’m still mad ABC suspended Whoopi Goldberg.

One chapter in my book explores my own growing experience and mistakes I've made about Jewish people and one thing I touch on is that there is a difference between someone who is ignorant of a subject and holding antisemetic views.

I've run into Ukrainians who have said the most ignorant shit about Black folks, but the majority of it was not intended to be harmful. I am HUGE on intentions. I am not one of those, "It's not intent, it's impact" people. We really need to start extending each other more grace

We are all so hurt and angry that the only way we know how to address harm is to hope the other person is harmed as well. That is a very poor model that has lead to the U.S. being the biggest prison country in the world. We need new ways to address harm besides punishment.

What I love about being a Black man in Ukraine is that I can dispel a lot of stereotypes about Black Americans and educate people. 99.9 percent of Ukrainians appreciate it. Once I explain to a Ukrainian that their words are racist, they immediately apologize.

For a long time, it was very common in the Russian language to call Black people "negger." It's rarely used now, but I run into it sometimes. I immediate correct people and they usually feel horrible and apologize. There was no racism behind it when used to address me.

This world is fucked up and we are all victims in it to some degree. I just wish we'd take more time to unclench our fists and start to do the hard work of unlearning ignorance and supporting each other through it.

You have no idea how much ignorance I experience here sometimes and how patient I have to be--even with very educated Ukrainians. But much of my mission is to educate people and sometimes I have to do the hard work of working through my hurt reactions first before responding.

Once I calm down and respond to someone saying something racist, I usually get an apology. That is how this should work. We can't always respond to harm with payback and retribution. I'd never be able to thrive in Ukraine if I got enraged anytime someone said something racist.

I am not just a journalist. My ministry is also to help Ukrainians see a different side of America, which is why I snap so many photos with people. Yes, people think I am Santa. But I also want people to get used to talking with Black Americans who speak Russian.

I am able to love Ukraine because I gave its people grace to learn how to love me back in a way that isn't rooted in ignorance. If we all did that, we all be able to live in this world together and fight ignorance together. Please, let's extend each other more grace.

That is what is missing in so much of the reporting and hot takes about Ukraine. These people have been abused linguistically, displaced out of their homes and harmed by colonialism for centuries. To not acknowledge that is just cold-hearted and mean.

The main reason I do Spaces on Ukraine is because I center Ukrainian voices and hopefully you all learn something from hearing them. That is my constructive way of helping to curb ignorance about Ukraine. I care about this country as if it were my own. I'd hope for similar care.

I'll close by saying that we need better ways to address anger than punishment. ABC failed Whoopi and I am sad that we have not matured beyond this punishment model. I am devoted to extending grace and I hope you all are, too.