Normalcy. What does it mean to have a “normal” life? Through mainstream culture, we are taught to strive to be “normal,” for fear of being ostracized. In reality, nobody knows what it means to be “normal” since our concepts of reality are all determined by individual experiences.
Since February 2021, Ukrainians’ new “normal” has been living in a war zone. The invasion of Ukraine has caused detrimental effects that stretch far beyond the country’s borders. The war has displaced families, and many are without electrical power in the winter months due to the increase in missile strikes.
It’s hard to fathom the need for food, clean water, shelter and protection from violence, since this is not the “normal” way of life for many of the individuals reading this letter.
The Borgen Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making global poverty a greater focus of US foreign policy. As a Borgen Project ambassador, I urge my congressional leaders to co-sponsor the Support Ukraine Aid Efforts Act. I hope you will do the same. A war zone should not be the new “normal” for anyone.
Reitz Wishtischin
Burlington
