1st time diarist, long time lurker. Please be gentle.
Since the Association Agreement between Ukraine & European Union was ended by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych there have been protests and general unrest. Today riot police attacked Independence Square; current reports indicate at least 13 people have died.
More beneath the Orange Revolution homage.
The struggle going on is to determine whether the Ukraine will continue as an independent nation or revert to being a vassal state.
As many people know soccer (football to our European friends) is considered the World's sport; National and professional sides are followed with great passion. The USA Men's National Team (USMNT) is scheduled to play Ukraine in Kharkov on March 5 as part of the USA's preparation for the World Cup. In 2011 The USMNT was scheduled to play Egypt but that match was cancelled due to the Arab Spring. Many observers wonder if the USA-Ukraine match should go forward.
Would the match be a positive way of engaging with both sides of what appears to be a nascent civil war? Some people will no doubt think playing the match legitimizes the Ukrainian government that is currently sending armored vehicles to crush a protest. Others might think playing the match is the epitome of people to people, grass roots outreach; a way of saying "we haven't forgotten you."
Nelson Mandela famously stated:
“Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair."
My question to the Kossack community is should the match be played?