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Posts by EbonyandBathory  

Joined: 14 Feb 2008 / Male ♂
Last Post: 3 Oct 2008
Threads: Total: 5 / Live: 1 / Archived: 4
Posts: Total: 249 / Live: 68 / Archived: 181
From: Los Angeles, CA
Speaks Polish?: a little
Interests: Poland, sports, literature, movies

Displayed posts: 69 / page 1 of 3
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EbonyandBathory   
19 Aug 2008
Life / Any good Polish films to watch? [110]

Also, Krystof Kieslowski (who directed Dekolog), has a ton of fantastic movies. Many of them are in French but you can't help feeling Poland flow through them. The best are;

The Three Colours Trilogy (Blue, White, and Red)

The Double Life of Veronique.

They are all just terrific.
EbonyandBathory   
29 Jul 2008
Law / Polish Citizenship for a foreigner whose parents was born in Poland [174]

I just got done a few weeks ago talking to the Polish consolate where I live (Los Angeles, CA, USA). While it is true that anyone with Polish ancestors is automatically qualified for Polish citizenship there are a few catches. First, my family came from Poland four generations ago, which makes me eligible. However, when they left Poland they actually left what would have been the Prussian partition and it's not as if I can get Prussian citizenship today, now is it? So I have to prove that my family was living in Poland in 1795, before the partitions and that is a long, expensive part of what already is a long, expensive process. So, when I heard that I automatically qualifiy, it sounded like an easy thing--not so much. If you have the time and money, go for it, but if it isn't worth it, it's not worth it.
EbonyandBathory   
18 Jun 2008
Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]

I truely belive that Blacks are overusing their civil rights

They would have to have some first to do so. Listen, I never said that the word Polak when used in a derogitory fashion isn't offensive. But let's have a little perspective. Poles in America, while they have had there struggles in America are not in the same catogory as Blacks in America. No ethnic group is. Just because of your "example" and your race baiting, Mateuszoflv, doesn't change the fact that Blacks have hoed a much more difficult road. You're using the double standards that whites created against them and that isn't fair. Polak, while a reprehensible and offensive word when used in America, I've been called it myself, doesn't not put Poles on the same suffering plane as Blacks in America. It just doesn't. I'm usually the first to say that Poles get a raw deal but I have enough perspective to know we haven't had it as bad as others.
EbonyandBathory   
17 Jun 2008
Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]

The word Polak is usually considered the equalivant to calling a black guy the n word in America.

By who? Lunatics? It's not even in the same category. I'm a proud Polish American and nobody, but nobody is going to put my heritage down but compared to the n word "Polak" is nothing. When someone says "Polak" it is taken as a sort of a joke, a throwback to when the word was more commonly used. The n word represents 400+ years of hatred and bigotry. It's not even in the same boat. It's apples and dumptrucks.
EbonyandBathory   
10 Jun 2008
Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]

will do whatever I can to try and change that so my children do not have to grow up in the same 'Dumb Pollak' world

I think America has its more pressing problems, but whatever floats your boat. In terms of Polish-Americans dropping their Polishness, I've found that Polish are some of the most proud of their heritage of all the etnic groups, even in SoCal. We have Polish-American groups, Polish-American churches and festivals. I can't speak for San Diego, but in LA despite having a tiny Polish population, we are all very proud.
EbonyandBathory   
10 Jun 2008
Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]

I dunno where all the Polack jokes originated from or why

When Polish people came here after World War One and certainly after World War II they came with a large section of Eastern Europeans who were officially title by the American Government as "Displaced Persons" because they couldn't speak English they were percieved as being stupid and this phrase "Displaced Persons" becamse "D.Ps" which became "Dumb Polaks" not just Poles but for all Eastern Europeans at the time.

I've been treated like an idiot because I was Polish a handful of times in my life but it's never bothered me. There are many groups in America that face much more resistance and insult than us, thats for sure.
EbonyandBathory   
9 Jun 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Oh, I see. Sorry, American Defensiveness has been up lately. Fair enough.
EbonyandBathory   
9 Jun 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

he writes like some american pole to me.

And just what is THAT supposed to mean?
EbonyandBathory   
9 Jun 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

PolskiZolnierz

I've never seen such angry tolerance. Yeesh.
EbonyandBathory   
19 May 2008
History / "Poland's Concentration Camp" ?? [570]

I've got a lot of respect for Norman but I do feel he has become a bit Polonised.

I remember reading that in my version. I'm not saying you're wrong, Harry. He recently updated the books and perhaps that was omitted in an earlier release but I do recall reading about that letter, although, I don't have the book in front of me.
EbonyandBathory   
16 May 2008
History / "Poland's Concentration Camp" ?? [570]

No problem it's a great history book in two volumes. It's really enjoyable although it is a bit slow.
EbonyandBathory   
16 May 2008
History / "Poland's Concentration Camp" ?? [570]

Davies' book?

It's called God's Playground. It's terrific. Really the greatest Polish history book printed in English. He has many books about Poland and is the preeminant English speaking Polish historian. However, it's not simply a love letter to Poland like Carol or yourself might like, his books are honest and place blame where it is due, but unlike our biased friend Harry it isn't cruel and is reasonable.
EbonyandBathory   
16 May 2008
History / "Poland's Concentration Camp" ?? [570]

Google Bereza Kartuska and read about Poland's very own concentration camp.

A prison for political prisoner in which only 17 people died? Not quite Auschwitz is it? Harry, I for one don't deny that Poland was not innocent and pure in this whole matter but no one was. And it is inescapably clear that the machinery of the Holocaust was forced upon Poland and was not created from withen her. As for this camp being a "concentration" camp or an "internment" camp or anything else, that is a silly semantics argument. The fact of the matter is that it was not a camp designed to kill its inmates, unlike Nazi and Soviet camps and we are comparing less than 20 people to over 6 million!
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Of course, I do, buddy. We may not see eye to eye all the time (this is probably because my superior Polish genes make me taller) but I think your great bloke and an asset to this forum even as a voice of dissent.*

*even in all the sarcasm, most of that statement is said in all seriousness.
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Plus, most of the "discrimination" that BB feels has more to do with some of his choice previous comments than it does with his Germanness. Sorry to burst your bubble, BB.
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

As a German I get discriminated here on this board all the time...*snif*....I tell ya...

I know, BB, you're a honest to goodness Civil Rights Hero. We all applaud you.
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

The bystander cannot fully comprehand racism, unless he/she experiances it.

Terrific point, Miranda. I can learn as much as I like but I will never know how it FEELS to be discriminated or looked at or hated for no good reason. And without that knowledge, I can never really understand.
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Love / Polish men are complete doormats (especially after they get married) [125]

it is a bit creepy to do everything together, you need some space

Absolutely. When my girlfriend and I graduated college last year we moved in together in a small apartment in California. It was a new place and new experience and we were both excited for it, but we'd never lived with each other before and moving in to a tiny studio was absolutely frightening. "When am I going to be alone?" "How can I keep her interested for 24 hours?" "Where will I go when I need some time." But we've kept our heads about it and found things we can do together and things we can do apart, even if were together. She loves naps so she'll conk out for an hour or two and I can do what I want. I love baths so I can spend two hour alone in the tub. In the whole year we've been living together the only two problems we've had that are related to the apartment are that I can't fold a towel apparantly, and that I scream too loud at the baseball games on TV. Hey, both of those problems are my fault, wait a minute....

Relationships are comprimises but they're also learning experiences. If I go to an art gallery with her that I otherwise wouldn't I'll probably learn something, just like she has fun at a hockey game with me even though she probably woudn't go on her own. I don't know if I'm a doormat, but I do consider her feeling before I say or do things and if that makes me ***** whipped then so be it, I suppose. Oh, and I'll hold a purse but ONLY IN DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT REQUIRE THE ATTENTION OF BOTH YOUR HANDS, LADIES.
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Why do you say America has bad racism

Because it does, plain and simple and I can give numerous examples of why it does, both in individual cases and in instituanalized situations. I say what I say not to bash America or to discourage because I love America. America is the greatest country on earth, however it is also the most racist country on Earth. It is this way because it is also the most multicultural. That's the paradox of racism. The USA is the most racist country because it is the most tolerant country. But tolerance and racism are always at odds with each other. Where there is one the other will push against it. That, sadly, is human nature.

My statements are taken as inflamatory because racism isn't what it used to be in this country. Yes, Blacks can sit on the bus and use the same restrooms and run for president and that's great. I'm so pleased to see a Black man on his way to a major pary nomination, but it's well overdue. The race problem in America isn't the KKK anymore, but it's there and it's there big time. I've mentioned this study before but it's very telling so I'll repeat it. In 1965, white people were polled being asked if they felt Blacks had a equal chance of excelling in America. 75% said yes, that everything is equal. In 2005, the same poll was taken with the same results. If we could have been so wrong then, why can't we be so wrong now?

Why are the jails 80% filled with Blacks when they only constitued 20% of the population? And why are Black jail sentences on AVERAGE 4 TIMES LONGER than whites? Why in 140 years of Black sufferage have there been only 6 Blacks elected to higher office? 6! I'm not telling you that you're racist, Kaylyn. Or that Houston is racist or any of that, America is great nation and I love it to death. And I agree with you, the general attitude IS more tolerant than more nations, but I want it to be perfect. And it isn't.
EbonyandBathory   
13 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

Hands EbonyandBathory award for most ridiculous statement of the year

I'm not saying that some things aren't better but some things are much worse. There's this perception that Dr. King came and fixed everything and we don't have racism anymore when it's alive and well and THRIVING. Saying that my statement is the most ridiculous of the year (an odd award to be given out in May) underlines my point, that people in America pretend that racism isn't a problem when it's the biggest problem we have. What good is a seat on the bus if you are mocked, stereotyped, and degraded while sitting?
EbonyandBathory   
7 May 2008
Life / Poles are not racist [873]

60 years ago. people were not allowed to pee in same toilet.. and thats not
fricken true now..

That's true but America still has a horrible racism problem.

there are racists. but most of them are fricken white supremeist idiots.

This is only half true. The "KKK" kind of racist is a dying breed (Thank God) but racism has morphed into a more sneaky, subtle entity. It lives in the media, and in the criminal justice system, and in hiring practices. People want to believe that racism is gone but it isn't. I wish this wasn't the case, but America is as bad as it was 60 years ago.
EbonyandBathory   
6 May 2008
Life / Any good Polish films to watch? [110]

s it in Polish? (I don't mind in Polish :)) just curious here

They are all in Polish. Depends on the DVD you get, but there should be English subtitles. I'm sorry I don't know the Polish names for the movies, those are the translated English names.
EbonyandBathory   
6 May 2008
Life / Any good Polish films to watch? [110]

"Ashes and Diamonds" is great film by Andrzej Wadja. Other films of his that are a must are "Man of Iron" and "Kanal" but "Ashes and Diamonds" is the finest Polish film of all time, in my opinion. This isn't a single movie but a series, called "The Decologue." It's fantastic as well.
EbonyandBathory   
2 May 2008
Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

No, I never said that either. He did it for its appropriateness for the piece. I wasn't trying to bismirch German in my comment, but simply promote the Turkish language and Turkish culture as being valid in Europe, which for some reason around here is a controversial thing to say. I didn't want this thread to devolve into "which language is better." Listen, I want to get out of this argument if it's going to be: "German sucks"

"No it doesn't"
"Yeah it does, it sounds like a cat barfing"
"Well, Polish sounds like someone sneezing"
"No way"
"Yes way"
EbonyandBathory   
2 May 2008
Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

To distort this and tell that Mozart prefered the turkish language for aesthetic reasons is grotesque

I never said this, I didn't even suggest that. But Mozart DID avoid using German in his operas and he DID write a opera in Turkish. "The Abduction from the Seraglio"
EbonyandBathory   
2 May 2008
Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

I've said this before, I will choose not to colonize my mind and put people into boxes, areas, or ghettos.

In Jova's defense, German is a horribly guttural language. There is a reason Mozart avoided writing operas in German (he wrote on in Turkish, by the way, BB). Plus, if her avatar is to be believed she is far from a "Hackfresse."

However, Bratwurst Boy, it's clear we don't agree, but I'm not sure that was the point. I have a healthy respect for your point of view even if I don't agree with it. There have always been minds like yours and their always will be. I'm sure the perfect solution can be found somewhere between you and I.
EbonyandBathory   
2 May 2008
Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

How is your knowledge about european history I now have to ask?

It's fine, thank you. My point is that diversity and differences in thought only add to the dialogue and general culture. The English Language is a perfect example of this. As is Jazz music. Or Polish food. They are all combinations of other cultures and tastes.
EbonyandBathory   
2 May 2008
Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

It's the same with Panzers...the Germans took the idea and run with it, from the Tiger to the Leopard - German Panzers are the best. Still, the first idea was a British one...

Two different cultural groups working for a better product? I though you were against diversity.
EbonyandBathory   
2 May 2008
Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

It's a crap language to begin with and bad for the ears...

Now that's the pot calling the kettle black just a little isn't, Germany?