>>News Homepage

August 17, 2004

By Metodija A. Koloski
I have hope and am optimistic that my homeland and my ethnic Macedonian brothers and sisters will prevail in the end! All are aware of the coalition government's proposal to territorially divide Macedonia along ethnic lines, granting the Albanian minority a majority in certain municipalities, which unfortunately smells fishy to me. I have been following this whole matter on territorial division nonsense since it arose. In America, where I was born and currently live, we read and listen to news about Macedonia, but you cannot actually grasp what is happening unless you're in Macedonia. I'm very excited to be here at such an important time where there is so much action and reactions from the civilian force in this country. It is at this time the Macedonians in Macedonia and around the world all become politicians.

"What are you in the Diaspora doing for the homeland?" is a question everyone asks me here. I sometimes also ask myself this question, unfortunately. There is a stereotypical idealism and perception of the Diaspora. The common perception of the Diaspora is that they left during hard times, made their money in a foreign land, and now without putting their hands in their pockets and donating or investing want to dictate and advise Macedonians that live in Macedonia. We, in Macedonia, are labeled as foreigners and most often hard-core nationalists, which is not necessarily true.

It intrigues me how when Croatian people in the Diaspora visit their homeland are considered Croatian, which is also the same with the Greeks, Serbians, Bulgarians, etc...yet, we, Macedonians that visit the homeland are considered foreigners. In Croatia, around 30 parliamentary seats are held by Diaspora members, yet, we, hold none in Macedonia. Of course, we have to do research and study their example in order to implement it in our system.

What does one have to prove to be considered a true Macedonian? I did not have a choice when I was born in America; had I known I might have chosen another country, but we do not have that choice, only God does. Nonetheless, I love America, and I'm very thankful for the many opportunities it has given me especially the current education I'm receiving. But, we do not and should not forget where our roots are. Most Macedonians, who have left the homeland, think about Macedonia. Most travel to Macedonia often, most send money to their families. In America, we have around 34 church communities, and some very strong and wealthy, but the unfortunate reality is that there is not much unity.

An identity crisis exists among a lot of Macedonians, not just in the Diaspora but also in the homeland. This is not their fault, but the fault of many years of assimilation, genocide, oppression, and other tragedies. My father always said the history of Macedonia is a tragedy, similar to Armenians and Jews, but look how united they are, and look how united we are. I always ask myself why we're not united, and have come up with many reasons, but there are too many to write in one column.

My friend from Chicago told me in 2001 that we must unite because "Nasite dedovci ginea za nasata tatkovina toa e premnogu golema zrtva i nie ne smeeme nikogas da go zaboravime toa." (Our grandfathers were being killed for our fatherland. That sacrifice is too great and we must never forget
it.) I believe in this quote very strongly and remind all my friends and family of this constantly. We must never forget what happened to our forefathers, but we also must not repeat history. Right now we have an independent country called Macedonia, which some people are trying to take away from us.

I am, like most of the Diaspora, very disappointed in the current situation in Macedonia. The Ohrid Framework Agreement is an embarrassment upon us as an emerging democratic nation-state and on our territorial integrity.
Macedonia has lost its' independence because we listen to and act on the advice of foreign diplomats rather thinking and acting for ourselves. Our country is being divided along ethnic lines and languages, which the international community is supporting claiming it will make Macedonia a true multi-ethnic society and will help us get in Euro-Atlantic institutions. I wish things were so dandy in reality; these foreign diplomats should look at how multi-ethnic their respected countries are.

Everyone in Macedonia and the Diaspora blames the four wolves, Greeks, Albanians, Bulgarians, and Serbians, for our faith. I agree that they are at fault for a lot of the tragedies that have befallen Macedonia and Macedonians, but I do not blame anyone but us for our current situation. I think this is a strong phrase, but in order to unite we must look within the mirror and open our eyes. We must not let someone take our homeland away. I am a very optimistic person and believe we shall prevail in the end, but if we do not unite now, we will not prevail in anything.

To this end, the Diaspora calls upon the President, the Prime Minister of Macedonia, and His Beatitude, Archbishop Stefan to sign a joint protocol calling upon the unity of all Macedonian church and ethnic organizations in the Diaspora to work, support, and strengthen Macedonia in the world's power centers, such as Washington, London, Brussels and Moscow. These three individuals must address this matter decisively once and for all in order to unite the Diaspora. Unity is the only savior for my homeland Macedonia and my dear ethnic Macedonian brothers and sisters in and out of Macedonia!
The author is the co-founder and coordinator of the Macedonian Orthodox Youth Association of North America.