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At first we got on a wrong foot with my country. Coming from extremely poor background in Ukraine of turbulent 1990s, as a kid I was robbed of many social, economic and educational opportunities. Not only poverty, but also state and societal refusal to recognize me as equal, because I happen to born gay, robbed me of confidence as well. So many kids who go through the same path usually become chronically angry. I developed a 24/7 anger as well. What I did differently, though, is the channeling of this anger. When I was 16 I've decided to become a journalist as I felt that exposing the truth and social injustice would make ease my anger a bit. Now, 14 years later, I've realized this has saved my life from a frustration trap. Yesterday, after my Future NATO speech in Warsaw, a young 16-year old kid approached me to shake hands. He is a Ukrainian studying at local school and was drawn to the conference when heard that young Ukrainians might give speech there as well. It was remarkable to see such a young fellow looking for answers that his generation will face in coming years. I'm sure he feels the same anger about enormous injustice surrounding us. He is just channeling that anger differently - by looking for fixes. Then, suddenly, I saw myself in that young kid, but 14 years ago: unsatisfied with what the surrounding reality offers me, relentless in finding answers and looking up for inspiration in people, who just won't budge in face of injustice. There was that small life circle completing itself in our brief handshake. That 16-year old me is still well and alive somewhere inside me. He is the sole reason I never give up.
Maxim Eristavi @MaximEristavi