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By Peter Borisow
Co-Founder and President
Hollywood Trident Foundation
Los Angeles, California
March 20, 2003
2003 marks the 70th anniversary of the deliberate killing of at least 8
million Ukrainians in the horrific winter of 1932-33.
Ukrainians in Ukraine, as well as in the diaspora, are taking the initiative
to tell the story of this nightmare to a worldwide public which is almost
totally ignorant of the events. In many ways, our tragedy is one of the
best kept secrets of modern history.
This part of our history is largely unknown for many reasons. The Soviets
were ruthless in destroying anyone who spoke out. Survivors were (and
many still are) afraid of retribution. The USSR had an elaborate program
of disinformation to deny its deeds. Many of us who spoke out in the
west were either not believed or ignored. Somehow, our tragedy failed to
catch the imagination of the general public. True, our resources to tell the
story have been, and still remain, limited. Nevertheless, I believe we can
do a better job telling our story to the world.
One of the difficulties we have faced, especially with the U.S. public, is
how to focus public attention in a time of sound bites. In the English
speaking world, sound bites create the impression that stays with the
public. Whether it's a presidential campaign or a new pair of sneakers,
anything that requires more than a quick look will be ignored by most
people. If we are to get our message across, especially to the American
public, we must use an instantly identifiable sound bite for our tragedy
that will be understood by virtually everyone.
Only two words fit the bill: Genocide and Holocaust. The events of
1932-33 were Genocide. It was the Ukrainian Holocaust.
Forget "famine". When people hear "famine" they think of crop failures.
Maybe there was no rain. Yes, it's sad, but it's not even close to
conveying the horror of what happened to our families. Famine was just
one of the instruments of the Ukrainian Genocide. But, the events were
genocide, not famine. If someone is stabbed to death, do you raise the
cry of "Murder!" or do you run around screaming "Knife!"
Even worse is "Holodomor". It's not an English word. It's not in any
English language dictionary I know. It's a wonderfully sophisticated
Ukrainian word. We know what it means because it makes sense in
Ukrainian. Non-Ukrainians don't have a clue to what it means. Our
biggest task here is to communicate.
You might as well go into a store and try to buy a "sorotchka". This is
the fellow who sees the stabbing and raises the cry of "Severed lower
vena cava resulting in massive and terminal hemorrhage!!" -and then
wonders why no one is calling the police.
Holodomor is a good Ukrainian word. Let's keep it Ukrainian and
translate it as Genocide. That's what the public understands.
The same holds true for "famine-genocide". Most people, even the well
educated, are just confused by this. What was it, a famine or a genocide?
Few have the time or attention span to bother with our customary technical
explanation.
Perhaps the most regrettable side effect of our confusing nomenclature is
that it makes it easier for the revisionists who would like to reduce our
history to a vacuous footnote. Our challenge is to tell the story of our
tragedy, of the horrific slaughter of our families, in a manner that conveys
what happened and the enormity and horror of what happened. We will
tell the story best if we tell it in a clear and consistent fashion using
words that the public understands.
The events of 1932-33 were Genocide. It was the Ukrainian Holocaust.
Genocide. Holocaust. Eight million times Genocide. Eight million times
Holocaust.
NOTE, From the Editor, ArtUkraine.com Information Service:
Peter Borisow's parents were the sole survivors of Soviet persecution
of their respective families. Those who were not executed earlier, died in
the genocide of 1932-33. He grew up in New York and works in
entertainment industry finance. Peter recently co-founded the Hollywood
Trident Foundation and serves at its president.
Peter Borisow said, "Ukrainians have played important roles in the film
industry since its inception. We hope that the Hollywood Trident Foundation
will not only encourage those working in the industry, but alsodemonstrate
and teach an international audience about Ukrainians and the contributions-
past and present - to the art and business of film and media worldwide."
Jack Palance serves as chairman of the Hollywood Trident Foundation's
board of directors. The Foundation works closely with the Hollywood
Trident Network and the Ukrainian Student's Club at U.C.L.A.
Los Angeles attorney Andriy Semotiuk serves as President of the
Hollywood Trident Network and as Executive Director of the
Hollywood Trident Foundation. The Network was founded in late
1999 and includes members primarily living in the Los Angeles area
and working in Hollywood-related areas.
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