Inaudible voice by Dymitro Danchenko

Por. Diplomatique Magazine @cepq

Texto de: Dymitro Danchenko

Especial desde España

Foto. Cortesía

We hear often around us how fast time flies these days. We talk about what is happening today, trying to look into the future. Of course, we talk about the current generation and who will build this very future. At the same time, it should be noted this future of Europe does not seem to us so cloudless and light as it seemed a couple of decades ago. And in these endless conversations about the future and the young, who have yet to show how can they create a better and kinder world, we completely forget about the generation that spent their lives and health to build the world we live in today. So, I propose to remember about the older people. To think if their lives in today's Europe are safe and convenient? Do we hear this inaudible voice of our elderly people for the cries of those "offended" young and healthy folks who have come to Europe from around the globe? To be honest, it doesn’t look like.

Let's face the fact, the older generation of Europe has grown in the most difficult post-war conditions, many have gone through hunger and deprivation of dictatorships. They worked long and hard to raise their countries from the ruins, they were undernourished, they wore the clothes of their older brothers and sisters. They did not complain, they knew that something would not appear out of nothing and worked to create a world for themselves and their children. But how do they live today? Are we fair to those who have lost their health for the sake of our good present? I dare say today’s society is extremely unfair to the older generation. Have you been interested in what pension your mother or grandmother gets and how does she manage to live on it? Oh, I wonder if you know what pension can be in Greece, Lithuania or Bulgaria! For example, in Lithuania the average pension is barely above 300 euros per month. How do you find these numbers comparing to generous payments to economic migrants and those who are called "refugees"? What a cynical disregard for older Europeans! You think they do not see it? Do you think their souls are not moaning from this blatant injustice? Oh yeah, they are not used to complain, they do not do pogroms, do not burn garbage containers, do not trash the stores as "newly arrived guests." So, they are very convenient to politicians not to notice their poverty. Today's European politicians are not able to deal with the current situation, they don’t feel responsible for a better future of their countries. Well, okay with politicians, what should we do with this situation? Do you agree that your mother or grandmother, who has worked all her life and has never got anything “for free” from the government, remains a second-rate person in your country?

In this regard, I can’t fail to mention another problem in today's Europe. This is a personal security issue. Here, unfortunately, again, people of the older generation is the most vulnerable category. All their lives have built a wealthy and safe Europe, today they are defenseless victims of "hawks" who have no any respect for the continent that sheltered them. Social networks are full of violence towards the seniors in Europe from the part of those for whom they and their wallets are just “easy prey”. It is unthinkable that in today's Europe, fear has come back to the streets again so that life, health and dignity of a person is valued as in the third world countries. It is with our tacit consent "the third world" has come and settled in our streets, and we just look away pretending that nothing has changed. But unfortunately, it is not. For our older people, today's streets of Paris, London, Marseille is not the place where they would like to meet old age.

I know you also believe in justice! I’m sure you consider the people who have devoted their entire lives to build up the present welfare of Europe must live in dignity and safety. We simply do not have the right not to hear their inaudible voice anymore. Their voice is our dignity. It is they who deserve all the best today, because everything that we see around is built by their hands! Let's vote in the European elections of 2019 for those who respect our present, past and future. For those who truly value our people, the people who have built everything that surrounds us.