Sheepshead Bay Resident Shares the Political Sentiment of Russian-Ukrainian Community

Ellie moved with her family from Donetsk, Ukraine, to Sheepshead Bay in South Brooklyn when she was just two years old. This vibrant New York neighborhood is well-known for its large Russian-speaking immigrant community, composed predominantly of individuals and families who emigrated from the former Soviet Union. Over the years, Sheepshead Bay has become a cultural melting pot, home to diverse immigrant groups, but it is the Russian-Ukrainian community that has had a particularly pronounced influence on its political and social character.

Historically, the Russian-speaking community in Sheepshead Bay has leaned toward conservative political ideologies, and many residents, including Ellie’s family, were enthusiastic supporters of Donald Trump during his presidential campaigns. The neighborhood has been a stronghold for traditional values, reflecting a generational divide in political attitudes. While older residents often hold conservative views informed by their immigrant experiences, younger generations who grew up in the U.S. are increasingly embracing more progressive stances.

Ellie is part of this younger cohort challenging the status quo. As a vocal advocate for immigrant and LGBTQ+ rights, she represents a shift in political attitudes within her community. She openly opposes Donald Trump’s policies and has consistently criticized what his campaigns symbolize for minority groups in the U.S.

In this interview, Ellie shares her reactions to the 2024 U.S. presidential election results, which declared that Donald Trump would be the next leader of the United States. She expresses deep concerns about the implications of his leadership, particularly for the immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities she tirelessly supports. Ellie’s perspective not only highlights the generational divide within Sheepshead Bay’s Russian-speaking community but also sheds light on the evolving multicultural and political dynamics of her neighborhood.

A lonely street in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, on December 14, 2024. Photo by Ana Kasper.

AK: How did you and your family feel when you first heard about the 2024 election results? Can you describe your initial reaction and any discussions that followed?

Ellie: I was honestly shocked by the results. Being a 24-year-old New Yorker heavily involved in the LGBT community, I’m really in a bubble of radical liberalism, and it was hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that most places in the USA don’t have the same mindset. Many of my left-leaning friends and family reached out to me to ask how I was feeling, and it made me realize there was a huge wave of support in my community despite the results!

AK: Were the election outcomes what you anticipated, or was there anything particularly surprising/upsetting to you and your family?

Ellie: I did not personally anticipate the results, but my mom and step-dad did. They are both New Yorkers whom I know voted for Trump, a dying breed. My step-dad identifies as a conservative and is extremely interested in politics. He heavily influences my mom’s views on the matter.

AK: In what ways do you think the results of this election will affect your daily life, your family, and the local community in the immediate and short term?

Ellie: In the immediate future, I don’t think much will really change. Even with all the branches being red, I understand that it takes time for them to implement legislation that could harm my community. The most impactful aspect of the results is the strain between my step-dad and me. We have always argued over politics, but now more than ever he can’t help but make constant smug comments. On the other hand, I truly believe this will strengthen my community of immigrants, women, and LGBT people. I think that now, more than ever, people are coming together in solidarity and support, and that’s truly beautiful.

AK: What are your main concerns or hopes regarding the political and economic landscape of Ukraine post-election, since President Trump has mentioned multiple times that he will end US support for Ukraine? 

Ellie: I am very much afraid for my family still living in Ukraine. I don’t know much about Ukraine’s economy, but I know how Russia has made it absolutely hellish to live there. Today, President Biden, in his last two months in office, authorized the use of U.S.-supplied missiles for Ukraine, and I’m scared that this is the last bit of help Ukraine will receive. Russia knows this assistance won’t last long and has the numbers to just overpower it. I believe that Trump winning the election is the final nail in the coffin for the war in Ukraine, and it doesn’t bode well for my entire family still there.

AK: Based on the election result, what is your perspective on the new government leadership? Do you trust them to address critical issues facing the country? 

Ellie: No, of course, I do not trust the new leadership! His ethics and character have been proven to be way past subpar, and with so much backing, there is way too much momentum for things to go wrong very quickly. 

AK: Given the current political shift, what are your biggest hopes and fears for your community’s future over the next few years? 

Ellie: I hope that the decisions made in the next four years will be hyper-focused on improving the economy rather than societal issues like immigration and women’s health rights. I don’t think this will be the case because Trump has always been a performer, not a Politician. I’m scared that so many amazing social reforms that have been implemented during Biden’s presidency will very easily be reverted, and we will be back to square one. 

AK: How do you see your community responding to these election results? 

Ellie: My dad and stepmom have been trying for years to make it possible for some of my family still in Ukraine to come live in the US. Just in the past few months, we finally were accepted for a program that lets relatives host whole families affected by the War. I’m really scared that if the process isn’t fast enough, this program won’t be there by the time they are able to come! I know this is a big fear for much of my Ukrainian community here in NYC, but still, I hope we can stand together and be strong through this tough moment. I am hoping for the best and expecting the worst. 

A quiet street in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Photo by Ana Kasper.

Ellie’s experience underscores the nuanced reality of living within a politically and culturally diverse community. She navigates the challenges of maintaining her political identity while fostering respectful dialogue with her family and environment. Her family dynamics mirror broader community sentiment, particularly in immigrant families that maintain strong connections with their heritage.