The 7,000 Mile Heartache

By: Anna Janumov

It’s been about a month now since the conflict erupted again. I’ve been struggling with what to say, when to say it, and how I should say it. Every day I sit in front of my devices, refreshing my social media over and over again for just a glimmer of hope that the conflict will come to an end again. Even now, I’m too scared to even say which conflict it is out of fear that somehow, someone from the opposition will find this article, find me, and threaten me or my family. 

However, it would be a shame if I didn't say exactly what is on my mind. 

Growing up as a first-generation American, it never crossed my mind that this conflict would explode to this extent. I always sympathized with my friends who had family struggling overseas because I knew how it felt.  My family always tried to help our members back in our homeland. Before immigrating, my family had their fair share of hard times, and I’ve been extremely grateful to have a proper roof over my head, a good education, food and water. 

7,000 miles away, I’m here every day, my heart hurting for civilians on both sides of the conflict, feeling helpless as I can’t do anything about it. It’s difficult to form a coherent opinion about this; I know that no mother wants to see their child sent off to such a brutal fight. Children my age are being sent off to fight a war that is older than them. 

I am left speechless at the rapid progression of the war. I’m speechless for those who continuously provoke the war and who threaten an ethnic cleansing. I’m speechless for those who refuse to speak up about this conflict, even when I constantly repost informational posts that I know they can see. I am especially speechless at those who threaten my loved ones online with the most horrifying, degrading messages I have ever seen, just because of our ethnicity, something we have no control over. 

But despite the constant discouragement, I see my friends speaking up about this with their families. I see my loved ones donating, protesting, and encouraging anyone and everyone to speak up about this to avoid a repeat of a tragedy. Most of all, I see my community joining together like never before, doing anything they can to support the soldiers and families abroad. I see nothing but love and compassion for our culture, and the undying will to keep it alive. 

7,000 miles away, I’m here with a small light of hope, praying for peace, for my family, and for anyone who has a loved one currently fighting in a conflict overseas right now.