Macedonian-Americans Need a Unified Macedonian Diaspora

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  • vicsinad
    Senior Member
    • May 2011
    • 2337

    Macedonian-Americans Need a Unified Macedonian Diaspora

    Macedonian-Americans Need a Unified Macedonian Diaspora

    As a Macedonian-American, I value my ethnic identity and democratic principles. Whenever those cherished gifts are challenged or threatened, however, we have a duty to defend their sanctity. We should not be deceived by this temporary and isolated period of relative peace, progress and prosperity. There are forces, both visible and hidden, with intentions to destroy the Macedonian identity, and as a result, dismantle well-established democratic norms. We cannot afford to remain disorganized, unified and apathetic: time is quickly running out. The fight to preserve our identity and democracy must be maintained, or else our ancestors’ sacrifices will fade into the realm of meaninglessness, and our precious Macedonian identity and treasured democratic society will be nothing but dust in the past.

    To guard against these dangers and to continue advancing the Macedonian Cause, we Macedonian-Americans need a unified force to advance our Cause and achieve our objectives. We need to build an unshakeable movement that is representative of the entire Macedonian-American diaspora. Despite the existence of scattered cultural and political groups throughout the States, and a larger organization based in Washington, D.C., the Macedonian Diaspora in America does not have a strong movement advancing our Cause.

    It is not a weakness for there to exist several groups with separate agendas. Actually, it is a benefit. We need different groups and individuals working tirelessly on different issues and catering to different Macedonian constituencies in order to tackle Macedonian issues from different angles. Further, separate groups may be necessary because they may have different visions and functions. But our individual and segregated efforts would be much better served and rewarded if there actually existed a body that represented the will of the Macedonian-Americans. To be united does not mean that we must agree on every issue. And it does not mean we surrender our personal values and beliefs for those of others. But it does mean that we collaborate to achieve common objectives. It means that we must be willing to calm our egos, stifle our stubbornness and sincerely listen to our fellow Macedonians.

    Some will point to the United Macedonian Diaspora and claim that such a Macedonian-American movement already exists. While the UMD can provide a valuable service to the Macedonian diaspora, and while it has established a presence in the American political scene, it is a far cry from operating as the organizational structure that Macedonian-Americans need. Let me explain what Macedonian-Americans DON’T need in an organization that claims to represent them:

    We DON’T need an organization that emphasizes the interests of governments (whether the U.S. or Macedonian government) over the will of the people. For example, UMD has relentlessly advocated for Macedonia to join NATO, while Macedonian-Americans have never expressed this as a priority for them. UMD has not been clear whether it is working on behalf of Macedonian-Americans or the Republic of Macedonia. While Macedonian-Americans support Macedonia, often times the will of Macedonian-Americans differs from that of official Macedonian stances and actions.

    We DON’T need an organization that values input based on financial donations and not a democratic vote or consensus by Macedonian-Americans. For example, those who contribute greater amounts financially to UMD have a louder voice in the organization’s agenda, which is a very specific concern Americans have with the U.S. political system. Even the appearance that meeting a certain donation threshold will get someone a seat at the table is an affront to the democratic ideal.

    We DON’T need an organization that measures its success with awards, honors and titles rather than by the fulfillment of objectives. For example, the Macedonian name, identity and nation face as severe of a threat – if not worse – compared to when UMD came into existence; but the number of individuals receiving honors, recognition and awards from UMD has exponentially increased. Rather, a representative body of Macedonian-Americans would measure its success by its actions and progress toward fulfillment of the Macedonian Cause.

    We DON’T need an organization that is not courageous enough to criticize the U.S. government for fear of potential political fallout. For example, UMD’s silence on U.S. interference in Macedonian affairs is a disservice to Macedonian-Americans. While it is important that we respect the country we live in, it’s just as important that we don’t equate respect for a country with subservience to a government.

    We DON’T need paid, career activists in Washington, D.C. purporting to be the voice of the Macedonian people. For example, one salaried employee has directed UMD for over a decade. One individual serving as the face of an entire group of people with few checks and balances is dangerous because it gives one person unfettered power and access in dealing with Macedonian-American affairs; and it creates the illusion that the individual is serving our needs and wishes, resulting in many Macedonians stepping aside from meaningful involvement.

    It is quite evident that UMD is not a representative organization of the Macedonian-Americans. It is an organization that creates its own policies and agendas; it is an organization that represents only the interests of its policymakers and limited members. Perhaps UMD can evolve into the representative body that Macedonian-Americans need; but it seems that they have been moving further away from that ideal from when they first sprouted.

    Thus, we Macedonian-Americans need to establish a national body that represents our needs and wants in annual or semi-annual meetings, such as is expressed at the North American Macedonian Orthodox Church Convocation or when, in the 1930s and 1940s, the U.S. had the Macedonian People’s League. We Macedonian-Americans need to build on the tenants of these models to form a Macedonian-American body that clearly articulates to the public the Macedonian-American view on critical Macedonian issues affecting us.

    At minimum, such a body would adhere to the following five principles:
    1) Its decisions, resolutions and actions are the result of a democratic vote;
    2) Its goals are based on a definition of the Macedonian Cause as determined by its members;
    3) Its acting representatives are elected by the people and are limited in their scope of power and length of tenure;
    4) Its membership is reflective of the views, backgrounds, and interests of Macedonian- Americans in all communities across the country; and
    5) It holds no power over any other Macedonian-American organization.

    Such principles are only the foundation for a Macedonian-American representative organization. This body would not serve as an umbrella organization over all other Macedonian-American organizations; rather, it would serve as a medium for Macedonians to come together to clearly articulate their opinions, and to resolve on how to achieve important objectives.

    While the task of creating such a body is formidable and will take much time, patience and effort, the rewards reaped for having a truly unified force of Macedonian-Americans will greatly outweigh any of the stumbling blocks encountered in organizing such a movement. When we are unified in a representative body that treats all voices equally and not only encourages, but wants and values, participation and input from all Macedonian-Americans, then we will have succeeded in assuring that our descendants will continue the fight to protect our identity, promote our culture and embrace our values.

    Sincerely,
    Victor Sinadinoski
  • Liberator of Makedonija
    Senior Member
    • Apr 2014
    • 1595

    #2
    Is there no WMC branch operating in the US?
    I know of two tragic histories in the world- that of Ireland, and that of Macedonia. Both of them have been deprived and tormented.

    Comment

    • VMRO
      Senior Member
      • Sep 2008
      • 1462

      #3
      Originally posted by Liberator of Makedonija View Post
      Is there no WMC branch operating in the US?
      No, Just in Canada, but there might be a branch, there is already four i believe in Australia in the states of W.A, S.A, VIC and NSW.
      Verata vo Mislite, VMRO vo dushata, Makedonia vo Srceto.

      Vnatreshna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija.

      Comment

      • VMRO
        Senior Member
        • Sep 2008
        • 1462

        #4
        Great piece Vic, i agree with all your points.
        Verata vo Mislite, VMRO vo dushata, Makedonia vo Srceto.

        Vnatreshna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija.

        Comment

        • Liberator of Makedonija
          Senior Member
          • Apr 2014
          • 1595

          #5
          Originally posted by VMRO View Post
          No, Just in Canada, but there might be a branch, there is already four i believe in Australia in the states of W.A, S.A, VIC and NSW.
          There are branches in every state here, they're still setting up (only began proper operation earlier this year).
          I know of two tragic histories in the world- that of Ireland, and that of Macedonia. Both of them have been deprived and tormented.

          Comment

          • vicsinad
            Senior Member
            • May 2011
            • 2337

            #6
            Thanks guys.

            We don't have much on the national front.

            Comment

            • VMRO
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2008
              • 1462

              #7
              Originally posted by Liberator of Makedonija View Post
              There are branches in every state here, they're still setting up (only began proper operation earlier this year).
              I know the guys behind it.
              Verata vo Mislite, VMRO vo dushata, Makedonia vo Srceto.

              Vnatreshna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizacija.

              Comment

              • Liberator of Makedonija
                Senior Member
                • Apr 2014
                • 1595

                #8
                Originally posted by VMRO View Post
                I know the guys behind it.
                As do I

                ********
                I know of two tragic histories in the world- that of Ireland, and that of Macedonia. Both of them have been deprived and tormented.

                Comment

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