Polish nationality? Which of the following (if any) determine being Polish.

I agree with this.

Nonsense! We are the Polish nation within a nation.

Why not make an uprising! You might get your New-Poland sooner than you think!

As Harry would tell you, your birthplace could be accidental (aka 'where your parents had sex'). I think it's more important what nationality they were and where you grow up. And look at Kurds or Palestinians: they have no country at all but are still Palestinians or Kurds.

We might take over the state of New Jersey, changing the name and kicking out all non-Poles. That way we have our own state.

Isn't New Jersey mostly Italian?

In the north it is.. WASP in the south.

There's a lot of people who had more than one grandparent who made the long journey from Poland. The Italians can all move to NY and call it "Nova Italia".

But where do you draw the line? Because your great- great- great-grandfather was Polish, you are Polish too, even if you yourself, your parents and grandparents have never set foot in Poland? I think there comes a point where you have to say that you're American and again, in my opinion that is the place where you were born, not the place where your parents or grandparents were born. If I take this to my own situation, I would be Portugese, because my great- great- great- (...) great-grandparents came from there?


If the parents have already American citizenship and the child was conceived in Poland, but born back home in the US, then the child is an American citizen. It could be accidental, but often it isn't.

>^..^<

M-G (tiens)

I get your point but some of us have family in Poland and remain connected. We are proud Americans but we call ourselves Polish as well. Maybe not "Poles" because that implies we are subjects of Poland, but "Polish" fits us just fine.

Best description I heard was American of Polish descent. Don't get me wrong, I say this too to the Americans I meet that claim to be Dutch when it was their great-grandparents who came from NL to the US and they usually have never set foot in NL, but do have a kitschy windmill in their garden or living room :S

Those folks are prolly planning to return to Netherlands, but are waiting till they can go dutch ;)
They will return.

One day.

Good point.


Hmm...

I agree with the premise that what you are is determined by whatever nation you were born, but only to a point...
Say for many generations your family was from one place, Korea, let's say, they are unquestionable Korean. But at some point your parents moved to Poland and that is where you were born and raised. I think then it would be a stretch to call this person "Polish" just because that's where they happened to be born when their linage is so thoroughly Korean.


Fine. You're just "ish".

They're waiting all their lifetime, their parent's lifetime and their kids' lifetime, eh? :) It's just folklore, at least, that's how I look at it. I don't look at them being Dutch - it makes nice conversation, but that's it. I think the Americans of Polish descent have the same folkloristic idea about Poland and probably will have the same effect on a visitor from Poland.

M-G (you planning to take over the US? You and what army?:) )

Some of them keep in touch with family there. Those who do not might have this fantasy about Poland which has no basis in reality. That's where you get the Plastic Pole types who run around waving their kielbasas in the air.

Isn't nationality mainly a matter of self-identification? One needn't set foot anywhere, as it is a matter of the heart, soul and mind. Of feeling and belonging. The boudnary often runs through a single family -- some identify with their ethnic heritage, others do not. Shouldn't we respect that choice? A passport is just another piece fo paper, innit?

I see what you mean. Like being gay is a choice that should be respected...

;)

I'm confused sometimes :)

Are u maybe talking/discussing about this.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta-ethnicity

For me this discussion looks like u are following the "American pathway".

They invent new definitions of ur origin, citizenship, nationality etc.

What is the purpose of that?

Exactly.

I know someone who was born to a Dutch father and Belgian mother. She's Belgian. She even grew up 5 minutes away from The Netherlands, but she regards herself as Flemish and Belgian, not Dutch.

To me, the whole thing is just idiotic snobbery. No wonder "Polack" is an offensive term in the USA, but completely inoffensive in Europe.

Ethnicity and nationality get confused all the time. Americans are especially guilty of this.

I do not agree. I was in Poland very recently and was there for a whole week traveling from Katowica to Krakow and then from Krakow to Czestochowa back to Warsaw before flying home again. There is no doubt in my mind that Polish spite and nastiness is inborn and flows through certain genetic characteristics over which, the nasty Poles have no self control. A cross between German and Ukrainian certainly accounts for much of their peculiar behaviour!

As Poland spent so much time under Communism, the English rightfully felt sorry for them and wanted to see them reach independence. However, control from Moscow does not imply that anybody who is not communist is necessarily nice either as any trip to Poland will prove!

The worst thing is that I'd say that being American is something to be proud of. I cannot understand why they so desperately want to be something else - what's wrong with being from a strong, proud country with proud traditions and a fairly interesting history, along with a huge amount of diversity?

Tell that to American-Jews!
Sorry if I sound offensive but you cannot force your point of view down somebody throat, its lack of respect for the others and is about as useful as pogo stick in quicksand. You said your part, you can relax now.:)

Here's a quick lesson where the word "american" comes from:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_%28word%29#History_of_the_word


Are u talking about US&A? All they had/have is EUROPEAN. U forgot that the 1st settlers there were refugees just like u find them today all over the world.

What traditions, values, history etc.??

Do you ask for a lesson?
Your ignorance about American traditions, values and history doesn't entitle you to be an arrogant cock.

Traditions? Plenty of them - the pledge of allegiance every morning being the most notable one in my view, but there are plenty of others.

Values? Well, American values are one in which hard work is rewarded. In fact, the very essence of America is hard work.

History? Well, right back to Colonial times, then an interesting civil war, an interesting history in terms of expansion (how Alaska was purchased, for instance) and even their role nowadays as a superpower.

Ha! That's about me! I am an Ukrainian (well... my grandad would kill me for saying that. He considered himself as a Polish) and German (other grandfather wouldn't be happy as well) mixture. And my behaviur is peculiar indeed. Now I know why. :-)

Seriously though: The answer is quite simple.
By law the Polish citizenship can be accured by the bloodline.

But in the reality being Polish is a matter of choice. And it always been this way. In XVI century, when the old Poland was at the height of its power, no one (even the King) was sure where exactly borders are. What makes one a Polish was deep love for the "golden freedom" and cabbage. ;-)

yuck ! I hate this stuff :)

Only your non-Polish half hates it ;)