Supporting Ukraine from San Diego 🇺🇦

Introduction

I need to put a break tag on my HTML to get this message off the ground.

At the time of this recording, it’s been a little over two weeks since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine. Officially, Wikipedia notes the start of this conflict as Thursday, February 24th. Why this one hits home for me is that in my work experience as a web developer, I’ve had the pleasure of working with several Software Developers, QA Engineers and Product Owners of Russian, Ukranian and Belarusian heritage and they all have voiced a similar opinion. They stand with Ukraine. And I do as well.

If you’re sitting behind your keyboard right now with headphones on sitting state-side in the continental US, it might be hard for you to fathom what on Earth is really happening minute-by-minute. I’m certainly struggling. On my end, I’m trying to empathize with as many frames of reference that I can muster and here’s how I’ve given myself some context in how to better relate to this global event.

Frame of Reference

  • According to Google, Ukraine is about the size of Texas.
  • Ukraine’s entire population as of 2021 has 41+ million people. 
  • California has 39+ million people (2019 statistic).
  • Imagine that on a daily basis, this is 9/11 occurring at any given moment and you don’t where the planes are headed (I really grit my teeth with this one, but it had to be said). 

I could go on and on about how to make this hit home, but I think you get the theme. A big thanks goes out to my work colleagues, both past and present for providing this list.

Ways to Help

  • Reach out to your congressional district and ask for tougher sanctions against Russia. Visit this link and enter your zip code.
  • Discovery TV has partnered with Save The Children to provide critical support for those impacted by this crisis.
  • San Diego based GoFundMe has curated its top list of fundraisers supporting the individuals and families seeking shelter, security and peace.
  • Hashtags actively being used at this time: 
    • #standwithukraine
    • #standforukraine
    • #supportukraine
    • #stopthewar
    • #ukraine

Thanks again for listening in. Remember, I’m here to foster innovation through conversation. So if you’d like to continue this discussion or any topics previously discussed, join me at San Diego Tech Hub and go head first into the AllWebSD Group. It’s totally free. Just visit this link or click San Diego Tech Hub on the footer of AllWebSD.com. Thanks and Aloha!