#softie-talks

I have just found out that one of my favourite Ukrainian comedians was killed by russians.

And in the very same breath — five or so fandom people, my friends included, reposting and promoting a russian artist on Instagram.

Ukrainian artists die every day. It's not really a joke, it is true. Ukrainian lives are cut short every single day just because they're Ukrainian.

And for all I know, one day I might be amongst them. It's a scary thought, one that I usually don't voice and chase away from myself as much as I can. But it's true. One day I, a Ukrainian artist, as mid and inexperienced as I may be, with all my dreams and hopes and ambitions, might cease to exist for the sole reason of me being Ukrainian. Some of us already have.

And the world will move on. No, not just move on — it will continue promoting russian narratives, russian artists, it will watch and praise russian sports, movies and content about russia and russians.

Because it's not political, is it? Because people would rather find a thousand reasons to blame Ukrainians than one reason to boycott russian content. The reason being the genocide of Ukrainians and the collective responsibility over said genocide.

I can't help but think, if I died from a russian attack during the Easter vacation, all those people who smile at me, reblog my art, respond to my comments, would they stop to think that the russians are at fault? From the smallest artist to the politician to the member of the russian army — the people who have built and supported the society where genocide has become an acceptable thing?

I don't think so.

I think it would, like many Ukrainian deaths, exist in a hypothetical vacuum.

Oh, how sad. What a tragedy.

Instead, I will say this: next time you want to read a book from russian literature or praise russian culture, think about how much culture we will never get to experience because of russians.

Today, Ukrainians all around the world wear their vyshyvankas in celebration of our culture's perseverance! Before you ask, yes, you can wear a vyshyvanka, too! Though it would be best if you could buy it from a Ukrainian manufacturer.

And here's is mine!

1) Being brave as Ukrainians. Honestly, I'm struggling with this one. Which part of it is political? Bravery? Or being a Ukrainian? No clue. Is the politics in question that Ukrainians are brave?

2) Quoting a well-established Ukrainian poet with verses that don't have anything related to the russian war in Ukraine in it. Aren't you the guys who say arts and sports are not political?🤔 Or is it only when they're russian?

3) Memorializing your murdered colleagues and child athletes. That one's trickier. You could almost say it reminds people that there's a war out there where russians, who are allowed to compete under the "neutral flag" or masking as other countries' representatives, murder Ukrainians daily.

What is not considered political:

1) Allowing said "poor ordinary" russian athletes compete under a neutral flag despite the well-established hatred they harbour for Ukraine and their obvious connection to russian political power.

2) Wearing the banned flag of the banned aggressor country on your helmet because "you competed there before".

3) Having russian representatives who openly favour russia in the Olympic committees.

That's not to mention every other precedent outside of the situation with the helmet ban.

Did I miss anything? 🤔 Or does this truly look fair and definitely not like a coloniaser's treatment, where everything Ukrainian just becomes political, because our very existence and struggle to survive is?

_______

Sport is political. End of story.

Today Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from participating in competition, right before he was supposed to compete.

To the people of Ukraine, he is already a champion.

"This is the price of our dignity," he said, and I agree. And today he showed that you will never shut Ukrainians down, no matter how hard you try. Millions of people saw the helmet, and they will not forgive you or forget the victims of russian aggression because of what Heraskevych did. To millions, he will become a symbol of resilience and humanity no matter the ban.

And from me personally, from the very bottom of my soul:

The photos that are available to the public are insane, but there are probably more destroyed buildings. My Ukrainian mutuals are reporting the earth literally shaking from attacks, even in the shelters. At least one person in Kyiv is dead, at least 44 injured.

I don't just hate russia and russians. There's no word in any language in the world to describe the sheer amount of disgust, contempt, rage, burning, all-encompassing loathing I feel towards them.

I hope russia burns. I hope they never feel safe anywhere in this world. I hope they reap what they sow.

This is not a special occurrence. They attack my country every single day. All russia brings is pain and suffering. All russia is is a parasitic culture of genocide.

And it needs to be gone. And it will be gone.

"Remember my words: russia will disappear when the Ukrainian sun rises" - Dzhokhar Dudayev.

Because shadow is always doomed to disappear when the sun rises.

Glory to Ukraine. Glory to its heroes.

A big thanks to our defenders and rescue services.

And to my Ukrainian friends: I won't tell you to stay strong, because God knows, we are about as strong as they come. But none of us deserves it. I send you all my love and support, and if you need any help, please reach out to me, I'll do anything I can.

And please know that I truly believe that justice will prevail. Ukraine will prevail.

Все буде Україна.

🫂🇺🇦💔

Me: I can't just imagine that. I'd do that, and then do that again if I could. I'd invite them for a second interview just to tell them they're not hired JUST BECAUSE they're russian. Yes. I would.

Hi! Thank you for your ask!

Unfortunately, russians keep popping up in my feed as well, even though I am very against russia:(

Fortunately, there are plenty of Ukrainian artists for any budget and style, and other artists from all over the world! Depending on what kind of art you need, I also take commissions! Just DM me and we can establish something together for a price that's comfortable to you:)

Here are also only some Ukrainian artists that I know of that take commissions currently: @unicorngunter @miwwwch @gewska @blindemaler @lethendralis-paints @armd39 @ikkigaii @rofich @dankoneversl33b @antaarf @litepla @liusia-piu @nzarlissa @lordsovorn @terrible-chudovysko @piccollosh @lepetitghostcat @enotfantaser @fyaako @evilyunia @stereo-cyclops @bbulka @velvetvoidua @karasiknika @gal-o-guacamole

Here are the tags you can use to find Ukrainian artists: #украрт #арткозацтво #украртпідтримка #ukrart

And here are some cool artists I know/follow from other countries that are not russian: @geazz-01 @asenheiim @zeros-cold @mynqzo @chaaistheanswer @evydraws @kodasea @houndhavoc @peasant-player @astral-aromance @thelien-art @demonibestia @ptr3e @talyris @balrogballs @now-for-wrath-now-for-ruin @vanyamire @bluotbanner @maedictus @robiberon @unavidas @the-red-butterfly @sauroff @rinthecap

In general, there are some useful tips on how to tell apart russian artists in this post.

That's it! Best of luck with your commissioning! Hope you get the results you want 💜