I never thought global war would be a real possibility again in my lifetime, but here we are. Last week, Russia invaded Ukraine, my family's ancestral homeland.
That's right, I am of Ukrainian descent. I was originally a Rossman, before that an Ursuliak, and follow an immigration trail from my present-day home in Arizona to the Great White North of Alberta, Canada, to whence traveled the family from Ukraine in 1903, three generations before me. (I am in the 4th generation of American Ursuliaks.) Fun fact, Ursuliak and Bahr both mean "bear" in their respective root languages.
But enough about my grizzly bloodline. Anyone who knows me knows that one of my life causes is fighting against bullying. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is about the most gargantuan bully move that has occurred in many years. Even if I had zero ties to Ukraine, taking Ukraine's side in this war is a very easy and obvious moral decision.
That's where The Backstage Pass comes in, because it turns out two of Magic: the Gathering's all-time good guys in the Pacific Southwest, Dave Magenheim and Adam Romney, are ponying up in support of Ukraine and have set up the means for Magic players everywhere (and, indeed, anyone else who cares to join in) to do the same. I am on board and I hope my platform here, humble as it is, may provide some amplification.
I'll let their words serve as the best explanation for this campaign:
We're asking MTG players everywhere for something small: buy one less pack and send the five bucks to Ukraine. Then tell your friends to do the same.
On the first day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, thirteen brave soldiers found themselves surrounded and defenseless by the Russian Navy on a small island in the Black Sea. After firing on the island, Russian warships demanded their surrender. These true heroes of Ukraine recognized Snake Island as their personal Alamo and refused; responding "Иди на хуй!'" The precise translation is not suitable for a family fundraiser, but serves as our inspiration and our calling to the community:
"Get on This Deck!"
Buy Ukraine a Pack. Honor those Legends.
Our starting goal is for this community to cover the cost of a case of cards - equivalent to two months salary for the average Ukrainian. Your small sacrifice will go a long way. 100% of donations go directly to United Help Ukraine - which distributes food and medical supplies to Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion.
We are not in any way affiliated with Wizards of the Coast ... but we'd like to be! We've given you money for years Hasbro; it's time to send some back.
GoFundMe Link HERE.
I vouch for Adam and Dave without hesitation.
Morale on the ground in Ukraine is very high right now. Unlike Russians with their unfortunate fatalist mentality, Ukrainians are a scrappy, self-determined lot, and are used to having to make their own way and solve their own problems. Ukrainians are thrilled to know that anyone, anywhere, especially Americans, are taking their side, whether in material form or otherwise. Obviously the material form of taking their side is the form that's going to help the most directly. And since most of us aren't in the munitions shipping business, we then turn to financial support as an effective means.
