WIKIPEDIA'S POLISH-AMERICAN ENTRY

Lopata (1976) argues that Poles differed from most ethnics in America, in several ways. First, they did not plan to remain permanently and become "Americanized." Instead, they came temporarily, to earn money, invest, and wait for the right opportunity to return. Their intention was to ensure for themselves a desirable social status in the old world. However, many of the temporary migrants had decided to become permanent Americans.

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Jun 7, 09, 15:12 / #
Wikipedia has got an extensive write-up on the American Polonia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_American How complete and/or accurate is it according to you?

SeanBMThreads: 41 Posts: 8,727 Joined: Mar 10, 08	Edited by: SeanBM Jun 7, 09, 15:48 / #
Good choice of topic. It will be interesting to hear what our American cousins think. Lopata (1976) argues that Poles differed from most ethnics in America, in several ways. First, they did not plan to remain permanently and become "Americanized." Instead, they came temporarily, to earn money, invest, and wait for the right opportunity to return. Their intention was to ensure for themselves a desirable social status in the old world. However, many of the temporary migrants had decided to become permanent Americans. I think this was the case with many other immigrants, longing for a chance to return home. In a somewhat related theme Polish American Journal

nunczkaThreads: 17 Posts: 623 Joined: Sep 13, 08	Edited by: nunczka Jun 7, 09, 16:23 / #
Good Topic. My Mother came from Torun. At that time it was in Pomerania. She was forced to go to a German school and swear allegiance to the Kaiser. She was one of nine kids. She along with her Father came over to make enough money to send for the rest of the family.. They failed.,but stayed. My Father came with his Family from Galicia. (Mala Polska). They lived on the west side of the Sanok river. On the east side the Poles were under the dominance of the Ukrainians. They were Peasants. And America offered them a new life. It took 60 years but they prospered and never looked back I once asked my Father if he would like to go back to Poland? He replied YES, but only to visit. He was proud to be an American

SwitekThreads: 1 Posts: 66 Joined: May 28, 09	Jun 7, 09, 17:29 / #
It's difficult for me to measure accuracy of Wikipedia info about Polish Americans but I've heard lately or read somewhere that first Poles who come to North America arrived with Captain John Smith and settled down in Plymouth Colony. What interesting they were glass foremen, so probably the first glass works in North America were founded and run by Poles. Pity, I have no more details about it...

Polonius3Threads: 1,005 Posts: 4,833 Joined: Apr 11, 08	Jun 7, 09, 18:22 / #
There is a lot of information on the first Poles in America including: http://www.angelfire.com/mi4/polcrt/AmPoles.html

regionpolskiThreads: 36 Posts: 164 Joined: Mar 13, 07	Jun 9, 09, 04:44 / #
I've heard Polish immigrants say everything under sun regarding Poland. Some can't wait to return, others call Poland a "******** country" because it offered them no future. Some are happy Americans, who say Poland is a nice place to visit, but they wouldn't want to live there. Others are just here for the money. In Chicagoland, there's certainly no shortage of Polish people and Polish Americans. In general, I find these people very proud of their heritage. They will work hard, but will harder for big $$. I see a lot of silly competetion between Polish immigrants. Who can earn the most money, have the best stuff, and pay virtually nothing for it. If a Polish housekeeper earns $10 an hour, she has five friends who tell her they earn $15 an hour and do half the work. I'll add just a few other thoughts. Tecgnology has had a profound affect on the immigrant experience. The proliferation of satelite TV, video phones, etc. have made Poland (and any other nation) closer than ever. The same technology has also allowed third and fourth generation Polish Americans to re-establish their Polish roots. Ultimately, the Polish-American communities require Polish immigrants. If Poland continues to develop a sound economy, fewer Poles wil look to emmigrate to the US, or any other destination. Personally, I think the future is far too uncertain to to shut the door on another wave of Polish immigrants. I know others have shut the door to such thoughts. One last thought. I believe the US government blew it after Communism fell in Europe. The US should have opened its borders to waves of Eastern and Central European immigrants. These were/are well educated people.

freebirdThreads: 3 Posts: 638 Joined: Jun 8, 07	Edited by: freebird Jun 9, 09, 05:14 / #
SeanBM: It will be interesting to hear what our American cousins think. you won't hear much from this time, sorry my irish cousin ;-)

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Edited by: plk123 Jun 9, 09, 06:01 / #
Polonius3: How complete and/or accurate is it according to you? what do you think? regionpolski: I think the future is far too uncertain to to shut the door on another wave of Polish immigrants. seems the US government shut that door long time ago.. there is no polish immigration right now.

regionpolskiThreads: 36 Posts: 164 Joined: Mar 13, 07	Jun 10, 09, 02:36 / #
plk123: seems the US government shut that door long time ago.. there is no polish immigration right now. Governments are their policies change. I'm not saying it will happen, but it certainly can happen.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07	Jun 10, 09, 10:36 / #
right.. things are getting tougher here in the states however.. Poles may decide they don't want to come here anymore.. or at least in the numbers of old.. poles have more choices now too.