No one really called be anything offensive in school. I grew up in a hispanic neighborhood. They all either thought I was one of them or knew I was mulato.
You have no control of what people think of you. What's important is not what people think of you, but what you think of yourself. Biggest fear that white Americans have of Black Americans is the gun violence. Once they get past that you'll be fine. Be kind and friendly and people will return in kind. The Polish last name will be a curiosity for most. Use it to your advantage. It makes you a more interesting person. BTW, when it comes to race Polish people are more open minded than a lot of other nationalities.
I'm an Irish-Polish mix. grandma came from Poland, moved to Chicago and met grandpa, who came from Ireland. myself and my family have a taste for both Polish and Irish cuisine. we were given American names to "fit in", but still appreciate our Polishness and Irishness.
I have only a basic understanding of Polish, but am working on learning the whole language.
It's an interesting topic here--what is it that makes up one's identity? Is it genes? Birthplace? Cultural factors? Residency? A feeling of belonging or acceptance by others in the group? It seems that unlike gender or perhaps even sexual orientation, this kind of identity is socially constructed. For this reason, I doubt that you will find a clear-cut answer anywhere.
I think it is clearly the case that some mixed-race Poles consider themselves to be Polish and are regarded by other Poles to be Polish. For example, take a look at this English language interview where Polish actor Omar Sangare discusses his experience as a mixed-race Pole (youtube.com/watch?v=t-c2UxDfS-I). For other examples of mixed race Poles look at Omenaa Mensah (youtube.com/watch?v=zkUrvX0emtc&p=C02CD7B535D894FB&playnext=1&index=2 8 ) and Ola Szwed (youtube.com/watch?v=i75EqR71-e4&feature=related).
Here in Canada, my buddy Rob is half-polish and half-Ghanan. He speaks Polish, works in the same company as a ton of other Polish people, is up-to-date with what's going on in Poland, knows the cool new Polish slang words, and has a lot of Polish friends. We're in Canada. I've never met anybody who would not consider him to be Polish. Of course people who do not know him are at first surprised that he is polish when he starts talking.
You're asking about how a mixed-race American would be perceived. From what I can tell the mixed race bit is a non-issue (obviously ignoring the bigoted viewpoints). What's most important, I think, is a connection to things that are somehow Polish. For people living outside of Poland this is obviously very difficult to maintain, and these ties weaken with time. For this reason few 3rd generation immigrants really participate in Polish things--they lose touch and at some point it becomes just a part of their heritage. When they learn about their heritage, these Canadians or Americans try to reconnect with their polish roots, but since so much time has passed and the grandparents are no longer around, it is hard to do unless one's living in an area where there are many other Poles to meet who could transmit the Polish identity (I'm thinking about somewhere like the Polish neighborhoods in Toronto). It doesn't help that Polish people tend to assimilate very well into their host societies, so often contact with the 1st generation is essential.
Since you grew up in what appears to be a polish home with your mom and grandmother, you've essentially got the most important thing to being polish, just like all the other 2nd generation polish people in Canada and the US. In this regard you're really no different than anybody else in the 2nd generation because you've got what matters.
Wow... just found this thread on Google. Yes you're half Polish, but you're half black. Most people in Poland will NOT consider you as a Pole, and neither would I. You're a mongrel.
I'm half Polish and half Ukrainian but I'm 100% white...
You could have been born in Poland, and lived in Poland for your whole life but you're still not Polish. In order to be Polish, you must be white and have Polish ancestry.
It's sad to see all these foolish liberals on this forum. Silly liberals, Polska dla Polakow (Poland for Poles)!!!
Most Poles in America date or marry other Poles or white Americans, Irish, Italian.
In modern America this is simply not the case, unless you live in a densly populated Polish/American community it is hard to find Polish people to date. I think most Americans are spoiled and date whomever they found appealing to the eye regardless of race or ethnicity.
Doesn't mean didly. If you wanna be Polish MOVE TO POLAND.
So I suppose if I move to China, I will suddenly become a bad driver and develop excellent math skills. Being Polish is in the genes. What does it mean to be a True Pole? Some on this site argue that Poland didn't exist at one point. Does this mean that if you can't trace your lineage prior to 1795 give or take your not a true Pole. Please.
If your moving to China learn the language, know something of the culture, enjoy the food, find yourself a Chinese wife. I'd recommend the same if moving to Poland. The "genes"? Hitler devastated Poland over "the genes". Please yourself and read "Democracy in America" by Tocqueville.
What does "Democracy in America" by Tocqueville have anything to do with the topic at hand??? I suppose if I was moving to another country I would learn the language but you missed the point. You don't have to speak the language to be Polish.
He's was a very perceptive Frenchman who described YOUR culture.
I consider myself half Polish and half Irish. America is a melting pot of many cultures. Because I didn't grow up on the family farm in Podbielko doesn't make my blood any less Polish. I do agree it is very important to learn about one's culture and I have strived to learn both about both my families history and Polish history. I would like to learn the language, it may have to wait as I must provide for my family first. I will try to visit with family over the next 2 years.
I keep hearing that Poles are racist. My experiences have been good. But, afraid to engage with the community for fear of what they'll think. I'm afraid they'll say, "Wtf is this blakc kid doing here? He's not one of us. Go away." lol you know? I already get **** from some blacks because they think I'm trying to be less black when really I am black AND polish, you know? It's my ancestry. If I were polish and Russian, non one would bother me. But, because race is in the way all of a sudden it's a bad thing.
When I was younger, my grandmother would comfort me by telling me about her mother who was from southern France and supposedly could tan really well.
Idk. I've been made so racially self-conscious. I'm not complaining. I know I've had it easy. Race relations are better, regardless of what people say. But, it bothers me that my own people wouldn't want anything to do with me.
No there are some Poles here but not that many. It doesn't really have anything to do how many Poles live in your area but the total population of the are, how much more others there are. I was in northern New Jersey a few months back and in one day saw two separate Polish men with black girls!! I have never seen that here in PA and there are much fewer Poles here. Most Poles date other Poles/Slavs or white Americans whichever background they may be.
The gold chain analogy...I use it to explain Greek-Hellenic continuity or Greekness in modern speak, but it could so easily apply to mixed Poles and their relationship to the Polish version of Hellenism!
Hear me out......Just insert the Polish word in place of Greek-Hellenic or Hellenism!
If a gold chain stretched out in a straight line represented Hellenism, and the series links of that chain represented continuity to them...how would that chain appear to us, I mean, would the first links in that chain sparkle, being made out of pure gold representing the first Greeks, would those links lose their sparkle as they stretched out having inherited impurities along the way.
If Hellenism was visualized in that fashion, that chain, from start to finish would still be hallmarked Hellenism, no matter how impure or less sparkling those links became as they stretched out...representing time continuum.
The sparkle of the first Greeks no modern people can compare, those ancient Hellenic dudes set the standards, their Ideals and core values still resonate...don't they ???
Todays Greeks represent the ending part of that chain, they occupy the last few link places of that hallmarked chain, their sparkle may have diminished somewhat but Greeks they are, and Greeks they remain, no matter how impure, even with that fragmention todays Greeks are still the closest living modern people to the ancient Greeks.
Todays Greeks are obligated...both morally and legally to protect and defend Hellenism. Todays Greeks may have incurred impurites along the way but they have not become detached from the original chain, the last links of that hallmarked chain are just as Greek as the first links.
Hellenism...Trade Mark or a Hallmark belongs to Greeks, right!
Don't worry about it. Former Polish president Aleksander Kwasniewski was in New York some years back and was greeted by a African-American/Polish mix girl in a Krakowianka outfit he was most shocked when she started speaking Polish to him. True story.
How accepting is the Polish-American community on such issues surrounding mixed race Poles?
Personally I think you're Polish-American unless you know the county of the origin of the other half, but seriously you need to check with delphiandomine, he truly calls all the shots on any Polishness issues on this forum.
I have never seen that here in PA and there are much fewer Poles here
I don't mean to burst your bubble but there are a hell of a lot more Polish Americans in Pa than there are in NJ. Philly has over 65,000 of them alone.
Of course you count. Most polish would really be open to you despite the fact your half African. The internet however, attracts a lot of bad characters, so do not listen to some people if they say your not polish. I am polish and I consider you polish.
@josh sklodowski You can't more than ever !! I am Polish / Native American . Polish are not Racist they are kind of on the defense though . I think with all of the racial differences today they get it from both sides . They were not considered " white " when they came to America and the " White " people treated them differently and the black People thought they had privilege . Polish are banned from the US visa program . I believe there are certain ppl who are very racist who are " white " they despised poles back in the day and the still do today . In America Polish came a long way they don't worry about the past or hold any grudges but some ppl depending on their religion I think seperate themselves from others . In Poland they were an occupied country for over 100 years and have been. Through a lot I think they some may be on the defense a little but is not because of race it is because of fear that others may try to repeat history. That is just my opinion of course and what I have felt from my family but they are the farthest thing from racist in Chicago or Detroit . You have an excellent mix - best of both worlds . If you get a chance research the Polish Haitian people .
I'm a Mutiracial Pole and Polish Citizen in America. My father came to the US when he was 13 and chose to stay a Polish National. I will tell you this. Poles are racist and they resent that a Multitacial Pole is Polish and Dual United States and Polish Citizen. I've observed that Polish Americans are desperately trying to latch onto American Jim Crow and push the ridiculous One Drop Rule because Polish Americans are Slavic not white and they have fragile white identity and privilege. Polish Americans are desperate to be Anglo white Americans so they think acting racist with make them Anglo instead of Slavic. I've met really nice Poles but its rare. I focus on my Polish heritage, studies, language, and citizenship. We don't need identity validation from Poles who choose to be ignorant and discriminate against their own Polish people.
All Whites came to existence from Slavs. In ethnicity, in genetic sense all Whites are Slavs, that live as members of different nations. Have in mind > Slavs = Sarmatians. Other stories are just that- stories.
