Thread by @yozhikisblue

I wish I could communicate how bleak this situation looks for historically oppressed minorities in Ukraine.

I support Ukrainian independence.

I also fear the climate that makes it impossible to talk about Ukraine's systemic failings without it being labeled Russian propaganda.

I have to put on a smile today.

I have writing to do. Art to make. A crowdfunding campaign to promote.

My ancestors were hardy people and so am I. But this is hard. Very hard. And despite the smile, I am not okay.

And for those looking for a way to help, this is an organization I have been familiar with for some years. To the best of my present knowledge, donations here will aid the most vulnerable, rather than the beneficiaries of war: voices.org.ua/en/

P.S. To be very clear here, I don't want these words taken as an excuse to undermine the pain of ethnic Ukrainians.

*Do not* make twisted claims about how these systemic issues mean they either deserve to be victims of Russian imperialism, or don't deserve international aid.

I literally, and with no exaggeration, would not be alive today if not for international aid to Ukraine. We are talking about human lives here. Never forget that.