Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, images surfaced on social media of Black people trying to flee the country but being blocked by native Ukrainians, even being made to walk miles to neighboring countries.
The images sparked outrage. Shock, even. But Ukraine has long distanced itself from its Black community. Gaitana-Lurdes Essami, a high-profile Black Ukranian, tried to warn us nearly a decade ago.
Gaitana made headlines around the world in 2012 when she represented her home country of Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku. Gaitana blew viewers away with her song, “Be My Guest” —and finished in 15th place for her trouble.
At the time, Gaitana’s skin color spawned the majority of the headlines. Gaitana is half-Congolese. At the time, many Ukrainians decried the decision to allow Gaitana to represent them…simply because she wasn’t white.
“Millions of people who will be watching will see that Ukraine is represented by a person who does not belong to our race,” said Yuri Syrotyuk, a member of the right-wing Freedom Party. “The vision of Ukraine as a country located somewhere in remote Africa will take root,” he added.
At the time, Gaitana said that Syrotyuk’s remarks revealed a “wide-scale” problem in Ukraine. “I’m so ashamed of this unpleasant incident, because Ukraine is a democratic country, where kind and hospitable people live,” she said at the time.
Gaitana was born to a Congolese father and Ukrainian mother. They met while he was in the country, studying in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. The couple was married and Gaitana was born in 1979. That same year, the family moved to Congo-Brazzaville. After five years abroad, Gaitana’s parents split, and she moved back to Ukraine with her mother.
Gaitana was born in Ukraine. Her mother is Ukrainian and she spent the majority of her years in Ukraine. Still, many did not, and likely still do not, consider her to be one of them.
Gaitana held a press conference following the backlash, choosing to take the high road. She told reporters that she hoped “to show to the whole world that Ukraine is open, that everyone can come and stay here without any fear, whatever race he is, whatever language he speaks. Be our guest.”
Gaitana, a talented artist who performed at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in 2009, has remained relatively quiet since the public rejection.
The outpouring of support for Ukraine has been immense, as it should be. But supporting Ukraine while watching the Black community literally be pushed out into the cold has sired contrasting emotions within the Black community.
The United Nations conceded that non-Europeans living in Ukraine experienced “different treatment” by military officers, border guards, and civilians while trying to flee the country.
Government officials and public figures have condemned the discriminatory treatment.
“We are saddened by the news of African and other international students being denied at the border as they attempt to leave Ukraine. We are hopeful that the various embassies could swiftly rectify the situation to help those in need of support,” the BeyGood charity tweeted.
But when things finally return to normal, will the racism exposed during the evacuation be addressed and meaningful changes made…or will it all be swept back under the rug?
