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Being ashamed of Polish ancestry?


lauraabarlow  
26 Nov 2013 /  #121
I am Polish-American on my mother's side (4th generation). They came from Poznan Poland in 1902 and I am not sure when on my mother's mother side. My great-grandfather's birth certificate said Germany but actually German earned Poland at that time. His name was Stanley Adamski. My mother's father side (Frank Piojda) supposedly also has Hungarian Gypsy blood but he also came from Poland. So that makes me fifty percent Polish. I used to feel shame but no more. Living here in SC and missing Ohio, and losing my mom years ago while serving in the air force, I feel more connected or yearning to feel more connected to my Polish roots more than ever.
Ironside  50 | 12413  
26 Nov 2013 /  #122
I used to feel shame

Because of your Polish ancestry? Are you mad?
TheOther  6 | 3596  
26 Nov 2013 /  #123
My great-grandfather's birth certificate said Germany

Rightly so, because there was no Poland at that time and Posen was part of the province of Westpreussen.

I used to feel shame but no more.

For your ancestors that came to the US more than a 100 years ago? Seriously?

I am Polish-American

You're American who happens to be 1/16 Polish.
legend  3 | 658  
26 Nov 2013 /  #124
I feel more connected or yearning to feel more connected to my Polish roots more than ever.

Good on you.
delphiandomine  86 | 17823  
26 Nov 2013 /  #125
They came from Poznan Poland in 1902

It would have been rather difficult to come from Poland in 1902.

So that makes me fifty percent Polish.

You could easily be German too. Either way, it's meaningless - be proud of where you're from - America - not some random relatives in the distance past.

What is it with Americans and latching onto a distant ancestry that is pretty much meaningless when they have such a great nation to belong to?
Wulkan  - | 3136  
26 Nov 2013 /  #126
So that makes me fifty percent Polish. I used to feel shame

Please explain why
z0ltan  
8 Dec 2014 /  #127
Yes, and funnily enough, this often manifests itself in a desperate attempt to over-highlight Poland as a superior "pure" country as a means to hide their inferiority complex. Very sad, really.
Tonyd  5 | 17  
8 Dec 2014 /  #129
I'm embarrassed to tell people I'm an American when I travel abroad. I usually claim "Canada" as my home country (except for when talking to customs...then I tell them the ugly truth).

Americans are butt of every joke and for good reason (our tyrannical government for the past ~14 years).
Szenk88HTAFC  2 | 47  
8 Dec 2014 /  #130
I love it when Americans say that they are *insert foreign country here*-American and then it turns out that their family emigrated over in the late 1800's, early 1900's.

I always say that I'm English when asked my nationality but my last name is Polish but originally German Schenk/Szenk.
f stop  24 | 2493  
8 Dec 2014 /  #131
I love it when Americans say that they are *insert foreign country here*-American and then it turns out that their family emigrated over in the late 1800's, early 1900's.

It may help you to understand that when "Americans" ask about your roots, they do expect you to dig deep into your heritage.
Szalawa  2 | 239  
9 Dec 2014 /  #132
Be happy to be Polish, eat Polish food, learn Polish language and history and ignore those who just don't get it, they are not worth your time. :)
MediaWatch  10 | 942  
10 Dec 2014 /  #133
Poles coming to America had NO more "baggage" than any other ethnic group coming to America. The Irish people were RIDICULED TREMENDOUSLY in America prior to WWII when it was common in America to make jokes about "Irish and Dogs Need not apply" and "Irish are like White monkeys", etc. American newspapers were filled with these jokes about the Irish prior to WWII.

During and after WWII....Hollywood and its new TV networks virtually ignored prior Anti-Irish stereotypes in America....and instead IMPORTED Nazi German subhuman intelligence hate jokes about Polish people...INTO America....and RENAMED them as "Polish Jokes" making sure to NOT REVEAL to the American public the Nazi German Origin of these Anti-Polish hate jokes that they RENAMED as "Polish Jokes".....that they used to beat down and degrade the Polish people with.

See youtube videos:

Polish jokes origin is Nazi German propaganda Part 2C

youtube.com/watch?v=nlASxvIfLCY

Polish jokes origin is Nazi German propaganda Part 2D

youtube.com/watch?v=o5v_V70ZFKQ
Blanketsniffer  1 | 25  
10 Dec 2014 /  #134
I assume you are also specifically meaning a particular generation.

you are the woman . I needed some kid of source . thanks
goofy_the_dog  
10 Dec 2014 /  #135
being ashamed of Polish heritage i think, comesfrom a lack of knowledge of the rich history and culture.. being ignorant or in certain cases on the external cases.

id understand being ashamed of being British even.. all the stuff thatve done because of their Imperialism.. but id still even as a Pole, disaprove.. you should never be ashamed of your Country, Family and God.
Roger5  1 | 1432  
10 Dec 2014 /  #136
Goofy. Why would I be ashamed because of what my country's rulers did before I was born? You, I believe, have enjoyed the generous benefits of Britain for a long time. Perhaps it's time to come home and help us build Poland.
goofy_the_dog  
10 Dec 2014 /  #137
Why would I be ashamed because of what my country's rulers did before I was born?

Because you take credit for it.. face your whole country's based on the old Imperialistic values m8.. aapart from that you take direct advantage from your country's past as well.

Perhaps it's time to come home and help us build Poland.

Perhaps its time to hcome back to the UK and help out over here hahaah, at the moment i, myself am not at work so yeah, I dont help outver here m8 :D
Roger5  1 | 1432  
10 Dec 2014 /  #138
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Crow  154 | 9490  
10 Dec 2014 /  #139
i can tell you one thing. i myself noted, on this forum, that i am, as a Serbian, greater Pole then some Poles here. i am actually for Great Poland and i dare to admit it. Great Poland is nothing but extended Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. People, its necessity of this Europe. We must have new Commonwealth.

shame on those who are ashamed of their ancestry.
Veles  - | 197  
10 Dec 2014 /  #140
i am actually for Great Poland and i dare to admit it. Great Poland is nothing but extended Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. People, its necessity of this Europe. We must have new Commonwealth.

What do you mean? Some kind of union between countries who were a part of PLC, or strictly one country?
goofy_the_dog  
10 Dec 2014 /  #141
Well from my extensive knowledge of the topic, Great Poland is an idea of having the Kresy Wschodnie added, good idea overall but we would need an independednt state first+ a stronger army.. possibly somekind of a friendly situation with the Russians.
Veles  - | 197  
10 Dec 2014 /  #142
I know what is this. I was asking if he wants resurrection of the past or other bs, or cooperation between countries which were part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

And I asked because I can't believe that someone really is so arrogant to judge the others and state that he is "a better patriot" due to his own "bright" ideas.
Crow  154 | 9490  
11 Dec 2014 /  #143
What do you mean? Some kind of union between countries who were a part of PLC, or strictly one country?

union of countries from Baltic to Balkan and Black see, following the idea of Pilsudski about Międzymorze (Intermarium). Realistic backbone of the project are today`s Visegrad Group countries plus Serbia. It giving fundamental structure and secure access to the warm waters via Montenegro (another Serbian state on Balkan). Macedonia would follow Serbia automatically, too. Same is with Serb Republic within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Most probably with Slovenia, too.

Deal should be offered also to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia. No matter in original Pilsudski`s idea, we should exclude (at least initially) Finland and Romania from the deal but, expand original idea by offering the deal to the Greece.

Bulgaria, if Germany and Russia have consensus about it. Same goes for Romania but, it depend on tripartite deal of Russia, France and Germany. Finland, if Russia and Germany agree. Croatia is excluded if its up to Germany and ruling elite in Croatia that is deeply anti-Slavic but pro-Germanic.

Belarus is big question. It may want deal with Międzymorze if it has neutral stance on other world powers (if is Międzymorze out of NATO).

Ukraine should be called into Międzymorze when finish negotiations with Russia about their new borders.

As we see, a lot of depend on western European powers, USA and Russia. Its a big game. But, judging by the actions of Serbia and then, judging by the Russian support to Serbian stance, we have to conclude that Russia founded interests to support creation of Międzymorze or at least not to oppose to it. EU and NATO leading powers play just solely on their interests ready to sacrifice Poland in their game. It seams to be that way by our reality.

Essentially, after process is finished we should have Eurasian Union, Intermarium and European Union (Western European Union). i am sure this scenario is inevitable.
Veles  - | 197  
11 Dec 2014 /  #144
Deal should be offered also to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia.

As you probably know, Poles and Lithuanians are not really friends today. Such offer, even if somehow appreciated by the Lithuanian government, would result in negative opinion in society. Especially, due to original idea of Polish "supremacy" in this... union.

Bulgaria, if Germany and Russia have consensus about it. Same goes for Romania but, it depend on tripartite deal of Russia, France and Germany. Finland, if Russia and Germany agree. Croatia is excluded if its up to Germany and ruling elite in Croatia that is deeply anti-Slavic but pro-Germanic.

Germany and Russia are excluded by the definition.

Belarus is big question. It may want deal with Międzymorze if it has neutral stance on other world powers (if is Międzymorze out of NATO).

Belarusians are divided between pro-Western and pro-Russian. Government is the part of the second.

Ukraine should be called into Międzymorze when finish negotiations with Russia about their new borders.

What "new borders"? O_o

i am sure this scenario is inevitable.

This scenario is abstract.

No one will join Intermarium of your dreams (it cannot be truly even named Intermarium), because:

1. They are afraid of results of leaving the EU;
2. Hatred between nations;
3. Alliance with Russians;
4. Archaic, panslavic ideas, without freedom and liberty.

No one will join such "union" - it would be like Soviet Union but without Russians and commie nonsense. Even I would be anti this idea, as I don't want any... genetic preservance in political cases. And the biggest thing: it has nothing to do with "Great Poland" you have mentioned.
Crow  154 | 9490  
11 Dec 2014 /  #145
As you probably know, Poles and Lithuanians are not really friends today. Such offer, even if somehow appreciated by the Lithuanian government, would result in negative opinion in society. Especially, due to original idea of Polish "supremacy" in this... union.

you are probably right here. There goes then same as i said for Finland. Exclude Baltic states. Germanic factor strengthened there.

Germany and Russia are excluded by the definition.

Excluded from what? You don`t see them as factors which would have their opinion in case of formation of new Commonwealth?

What "new borders"? O_o

Its about to be seen

1. They are afraid of results of leaving the EU;

true

2. Hatred between nations;

It existed and would always exist, this way or another

3. Alliance with Russians;

no. New Commonwealth needs to have neutral stance on Russia.

4. Archaic, panslavic ideas, without freedom and liberty.

Things change

No one will join such "union" - it would be like Soviet Union but without Russians and commie nonsense. Even I would be anti this idea, as I don't want any... genetic preservance in political cases.

Why then tolerate existence of any ethos on Earth? We see that USA and Canada creates American and Canadian ethoses. Today, its around idea and culture, tomorrow who knows. Let`s follow trend and let`s create Commonwealth around idea and culture.

And the biggest thing: it has nothing to do with "Great Poland" you have mentioned.

questionable.

i see Great Poland as idea that evolve.
Veles  - | 197  
11 Dec 2014 /  #146
Excluded from what? You don`t see them as factors which would have their opinion in case of formation of new Commonwealth?

Intermarium's main goal was to prevent countries located between Germany and Soviet Union losing the hypothetical (as we know now, not hypothetical) war. Germans and Soviets were the biggest threat, and this was the purpose of Intermarium.

no. New Commonwealth needs to have neutral stance on Russia.

This point was actually about Belarus.

We see that USA and Canada creates American and Canadian ethoses.

Yes, but Americans and Canadians have different history. There is no such ethinicity (despite of native Americans), this nation was created by the colonists. European countries were not. In other words - Americans and Canadians wanted to unite to create free country - in Europe such thing will be impossible, as there is no chance to forget about history and unite.

Americans, let's say, have beginning of their history in times of colonization. After the War of Independence they became one nation, no matter if they were British or French - the same with "American Dream" period. These people became Americans. Do you believe, that for example, Serbians will shake hand with Albanians even though they have argues about Kosovo? I doubt it. The same with other nations in Europe. Many Poles complain about Volynian Massacre and blame Ukrainians, many Lithuanians blame Poles for being "superior" during PLC, for wars about Vilnius; many Greeks are still in conflict with Macedonians about the name of their country etc. This is simply impossible to create peace here - such Union will bring the same results as Yugoslavia - wars. Because there had to be leader, and no matter who he/she will be, other nations would start talking about superiority of one nation.

I'd be more convinced about union focused on cooperation, without ideological context.
Crow  154 | 9490  
11 Dec 2014 /  #147
i want Poland strong and reasonable, not weak and servile.

Please Poles make an effort. Will you
Veles  - | 197  
11 Dec 2014 /  #148
And I want to be rich, to be like Casanova, to be the most wise person on the Earth, and on every field be successful. Dreams are for free.

Your wishes and the idea you propose are impossible to create in real world. The only way to make such "union" which is in other words... the conquer of neighbour lands, is the fastest way to destroy Poland and erase it from maps and kill many of its citizens. Great idea, definitely. We do not live in ancient nor medieval times.
MediaWatch  10 | 942  
13 Dec 2014 /  #149
I agree with my Slavic brother Crow.

As Crow says.....Poland should be strong and reasonable, not weak and servile.

As a Polish American....I appreciate Non-Poles like Crow supporting Poland today.

In my opinion.....Crow being a fellow Slav only wants to see the best for his fellow Slavic brothers like the Poles, which I think is nice.
Crow  154 | 9490  
13 Dec 2014 /  #150
Poland should be strong and reasonable, not weak and servile.

That would go with price

Poland has numerous diaspora. How would Polish diaspora react when Poland start to focus primarily on its own interests? How would NATO and EU leading powers react? many, many questions.

As a Polish American....I appreciate Non-Poles like Crow supporting Poland today.

by some things we feel and see that continuity of old Slavic civilization still exist in the sense that those who feel Slavic in their meta-ethnicity, no matter nationality or religion, simply feel Slavic world as a whole. For those people, being Slavic isn`t in conflict with their local ethnicity

In my opinion.....Crow being a fellow Slav only wants to see the best for his fellow Slavic brothers like the Poles, which I think is nice.

Thank you.

Poland must be careful. Too much is at stake. Those casualties that Slavs suffered in both great wars were enormous. Similar things in the future should be avoided if possible. But, some price must be paid, sooner or later. Even in the economic sense (at least temporary), in any sense. That`s how it goes with freedom. It comes with a price.

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