Who Am I?
German girl, German dirndl, German beer
As I’ve become obsessed with the news from Ukraine, first the Maidan revolution and now Russia’s invasion, I’ve found I can turn almost any conversation with any group of people into a discussion about Ukraine and its politics. And so I’m often asked, “Are you Ukrainian?”
The correct answer would seem to be no. No, that’s not my heritage. No, I don’t know Ukrainian customs, don’t paint Easter eggs, never called my grandmother “Baba,” don’t have a closetful of brightly embroidered blouses.
And yet, my ethnic German grandparents and great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents were born on the steppes of Ukraine. I grew up eating food from Ukraine (though we used different names—e.g., käse knepfla instead of vareniki).
Ukraine and the Ukrainian people are in my heart. They’re not my peeps … but they are. So it seems disrespectful to say no, I’m not Ukrainian. And yet, it seems presumptuous to claim that heritage.
Protesting to support Ukraine
A couple of weekends ago, I solved the dilemma by embracing all sides of my heritage. One night, I went to Oktoberfest, wearing a dirndl and drinking German beer. The next day I went to a protest against Russia’s military aggression, draped in a Ukrainian flag and defiantly claiming that Russian-occupied territories are still Ukraine.
So I guess it’s not really that ambiguous. I’m Ukrainian. I’m German. I’m American. It all fits together somehow.
Hello Carolyn! I share so much of your sentiment over this issue – like you, I feel more global than singularly committed to any one culture or heritage. Am I German? Yes, but a healthy mix of French, Spanish, and Baltic (White Russian) comingling through the centuries make me less than “pure”. Am I Canadian? Yes, by citizenship, education, and coming of age there. Am I American? Yes, and proud of my relatively new citizenship and adoption of its values and core principles. So….your take on “somehow it all fits together” is so very, very true! I love all your blogs, but just felt I had to weigh in on this one. Cheers, Daniela
Daniela – I know you understand! I didn’t even mention in the blog article the affinity I feel for Greece, too. I walk the streets and feel comfortable, feel like I understand the customs. But adding my love of Greece into the blog post just made me sound too confused. 🙂
Carolyn, you are more Ukrainian than you imagine. We are “your peeps” 🙂 and you are ours. I know this trip to Ukraine will be very joyful to you and especially everyone else who will be so lucky to meet you! I know I am. Well, not face to face, but I hope this will change soon and I’ll get to meet my Ukrainian sister 🙂 And by the way: “No, I don’t know Ukrainian customs, don’t paint Easter eggs, never called my grandmother “Baba,” don’t have a closetful of brightly embroidered blouses” – some of these things will soon change too 🙂
Natalja – I am honored to be considered your Ukrainian sister!