“Unfortunately, it is in human nature to allow evil to mature, to stand up against humanity. It then destroys and kills. It launches aggression and breaks people’s lives. You and us have already fought together against such great evil. You and us already have the experience of defeating the evil that is generated by human nature. I’m not saying there will be no more wars after the war ends. No. It is impossible to completely erase evil from human nature. Yet it is within our power to guarantee with words and deeds that the light side of human nature will prevail” (Zelensky’s address to the British Parliament, February 8, 2023).

If I were Zelensky, this is what I imagine I would say…

I see you.

The light in your eyes.

Your soul knows rest.

You have no fear.

You wear compassion for my country like a flag and embrace us with open arms and kind words.

I thank you for that.

Now, if you would but listen…

Do you know what one of the precursors is for deadly genocidal violence? Hate-filled conspiracy theories.

Hitler copied this same conspiracy from anti-Jewish propaganda and brought its lies to life in his imagination.

QAnon is Nazism resurfaced.

When we will learn?

We’ve never heard the other side of the story—how people were forced to choose between following Hitler or death. How when any one of us under duress is faced with the same question, our natural instinct is to choose life. How the Russians invaded East Germany in tanks, plowing, raping and pillaging as they went. How my husband’s grandmother and aunt fled for their lives in the wake of Russian occupation.