white-on-white colonialism.

what do Ireland and Ukraine teach us about the spectrum of colonialism.

here is what’s in store for you this week:

• One Irish driver said the words I didn’t know I needed — and everything shifted.

• What the overlap between Indian and Irish anti-colonial struggles taught me about the future of the Ukrainian anti-colonial resistance.

• There are generations of brilliant indigenous scholars who have been warning and educating the world about russian colonialism - few paid any attention. I am sharing a trailblazing 2003 text.

• How russia stole indigenous clothing of other nations and called it ‘Russian traditional clothes’.

• How Qazaq ‘Yurts of Invincibility’ produced ripples of decolonisation across the Russian neighbourhood.

Some of the landscapes in north-western Ireland look so spectacular that you can easily imagine you are on some alien planet. The mixture of black rock, green fields, emerald ocean, and grey skies is the most comforting natural palette, easily putting me into a trance of serenity.

As we drove past another stunning harbour, my Irish driver, Finn, tried to make small talk about the weather, tourism, and the ocean’s temperature. But none of these topics felt quite right. Blown away by overwhelming beauty, I still felt gutted. Back in Ukraine, we also have plenty of mind-blowing terrain. But instead of grateful visitors, they see a rainfall of russian missiles ravaging and mutilating them. I was in too much grief to care for a social talk. It didn’t feel right for my driver either. He knows I am Ukrainian.

'I don’t care whatever anyone says, taking in Ukrainian refugees is the right thing for us to do. Irish people were refugees ourselves,’ Finn abruptly changes the topic. I instantly take my eyes from the car’s window and catch his stare in the rearview mirror. It is full of concern and care. He wants me to see it. Suddenly, I feel safe.

'Thank you, it means a lot,’ I reply.

And I really mean it. Amid a record influx of refugees, including 70+k Ukrainians, Ireland is experiencing one of the worst housing crises. Heating prices and inflation are exceptionally taxing, too. Despite this, Ireland remains arguably one of the most passionate allies of Ukraine in Western Europe. Unlike other people in this part of Europe, the Irish people just get so many things about Ukraine almost instinctively, without needing us to explain.

We start talking about Ukraine, genocide, and the Irish language.

Part of the reason I always wanted to visit the Connachta region in western Ireland is their passion for reviving the indigenous Ghaeilge language — this is probably the only place where people use it daily and prolifically. Ireland is investing heavily in mainstreaming the Irish language, which was nearly erased by British colonial rule.

‘For many generations, our language was considered the language of the poor, uneducated. Parents would discourage their kids from learning it because it would limit their chances in life. Schools would teach only in English. Thankfully, it is very different now,’ Finn explains to me.

'Just change Ghaeilge for Ukrainian, and you have the same story about my language,’ I respond.

‘We are so similar, indeed,’ he agrees.

When we arrive at our destination, Finn wants to shake my hand for an extra second, looks me in the eye, and nods in silent but resolute solidarity.

Ireland is why I started looking at my own country and connecting the dots about my own history through colonialism. Before my exposure to the history of this badass survivor of a nation, I thought of all the tragedies that happened to Ukraine as absolutely unique and isolated.

Moreover, I often thought we were the ones to blame for it. I also had very narrow and simplistic knowledge about colonialism as a phenomenon, too.

Learning about Ireland changed that forever.

The history of Ireland showed me that colonialism, in many ways, is similar around the globe and throughout history.

Want to learn how? Please take a step beyond the paywall.

Russian Colonialism 101 is the first newsletter to shed light on Russian colonialism and is part of the Volya Hub network. What is happening to Ukraine has happened many times before, and the rest of the world has been conditioned to overlook or misdiagnose it. This isn’t history. It’s how you stop being shocked by what was always predictable.

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