Guest column: My plea to Speaker Mike Johnson as a proud LSU Tiger from Ukraine
It’s clear, Russia is trying to resurrect the Soviet Union. Former LSU Tiger from Ukraine, who was born in the Soviet Union and defected to the U.S. in 1991, has lived in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's invasion and has lived there since 2008. He returned to Louisiana recently to share his experiences with students, community leaders, and students. His visit revealed that the state's support for Ukraine's future was strong, with Louisiana's deep love for freedom and democratic values. He also found that the people of Louisiana care about Ukraine's futures and expressed their desire to help Ukraine win. Despite most Americans and members of Congress supporting Ukraine's needs for aid, House Speaker Mike Johnson is not allowing their peers to vote on a bill that would provide Ukraine with desperately needed aid. Ukraine is already fighting to become the land of the free, but without assistance, more lives will be lost.
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It’s clear, Russia is trying to resurrect the Soviet Union. As a Tiger, I bleed purple and gold but, as a Ukrainian, I bleed blue and yellow. I am a son of Louisiana and have lived in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s invasion. Last month, on the second anniversary of that invasion, I returned to Louisiana to share why Ukraine’s fight is so relevant to the people of this state. During my time in the state, I engaged with students, organized basketball clinics for kids, met with community leaders and spoke with the local media. What I found didn’t surprise me: The people of Louisiana care deeply about Ukraine’s future, remain horrified by Russia’s unprovoked invasion and want their leaders to help Ukraine win. Louisiana made me into the man I am today. I was born in the Soviet Union and, in 1991, I defected to the U.S. and requested political asylum. In the spring of 1992, Shaquille O’Neal decided to leave LSU early and coach Dale Brown offered me his scholarship. I played for the Master Motivator from 1992 to 1996 and lived in Louisiana for nine years before moving to Ukraine in 2008. Louisiana’s democratic values, independent mindset and deep love for freedom are ingrained in my psyche and formed the way I see the world.
My two homes share much in common. They have rich histories; their people are proud, know where they came from and celebrate their legacies. If you slip, your church will cushion your fall, and your neighbor will help you back up. Both are fiercely independent places that don’t take kindly to outsiders telling them how to live. Both find their strength in the different faiths, nations and languages that have put down deep roots for generations. There is one important difference between my two homes. Two years ago, Vladimir Putin, who openly calls the Soviet Union breakup the worst disaster of the 20th century, invaded Ukraine. The Russian military has rocketed our cities, butchered civilians and kidnapped thousands of children. His goal is to resurrect the Soviet sphere of influence, control neighboring countries and deny their desire to determine their own futures, hold free elections, build democratic societies and respect human rights.
Putin will not stop until the Ukrainian army stops him. Ukrainians won’t let a foreign power govern our lives much like the people of Louisiana would never let a foreign power govern theirs. Ukraine has the skill, ingenuity, and courage to defeat Putin’s invasion. But without U.S. assistance, more Ukrainian civilians will needlessly lose their lives. For two years, America’s support has given Ukrainians the ammunition we need to protect our independence and the air defenses we need to protect our cities. Ukrainians see this as a testament to the unparalleled generosity of the American spirit and the American people. America’s aid also creates jobs and stimulates the economy in communities across the country. Just like in World War II, weapons produced in the heartland of America get shipped to Europe to help a U.S. ally repel a brazen aggression.
Most Americans and members of Congress support giving Ukraine what it needs to finish the job. But the House of Representatives leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, is not letting their peers vote on a bill that would provide us with desperately needed aid. I know that Johnson came to Congress to uplift his community, not focus on a conflict thousands of miles away. But Ukraine lies at an inflection point, and I cannot help but think that he has been elevated for a time such as this. We need Johnson and all Congressional leaders to mirror the generosity and solidarity of their constituents. We need them to let Congress vote on Ukraine aid. Ukraine is already the home of the brave. We are currently fighting to become the land of the free. But we can’t do it alone, we need Louisiana's help.
Tematy: Louisiana State University, Academia, Russia-Ukraine War