American Greatness: 'The rapturous reception to Zelenskyy demonstrates a curious phenomenon. Many Americans, particularly liberals, have embraced Ukrainian nationalism. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of them. She introduced Zelenskyy before his video address and demanded her colleagues shout “Slava Ukraini!” before he began. The patriotic slogan—meaning “Glory to Ukraine”—is one of the many sights and sounds in Ukraine-crazed America. Millions of Americans changed their social media profiles to include the Ukrainian flag. Some made sure to add a sunflower emoji as well, which alludes to a popular internet meme about dead Russian soldiers serving as flower beds in the after-life. Ukrainian flags hang on highway overpasses and pro-Ukraine demonstrations draw in thousands of people in the United States. Many members of Congress waved Ukrainian flags during Joe Biden’s State of the Union, and a few even dressed up in blue-and-yellow outfits for the occasion.
'It seems that the Left has found a nationalism it can support. It’s just not American. Both the Left and the Right are guilty of vicarious nationalism through Ukraine. To the Left, Ukrainian nationalism is fighting on behalf of a tolerant, multicultural democracy against an evil, white fascist empire. Some leftists even see Ukrainian nationalism as an outgrowth of anti-colonialist resistance. It isn’t like icky Trumpism. Ukrainian nationalists are totally not racist and are down with the latest ideological trends from the West. Many conservatives, particularly of the NeverTrump variety, share this view of Ukrainian nationalism as well. Other conservatives fawn over Ukrainian nationalism simply because they see the plucky Slavs as fighting for their homeland and independence against a foreign power. There isn’t much else to the adoration. That rationale makes sense on the surface.'
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