POLISH IMMIGRATION TO THE U.S.

by Julitta Grocholska

Copyright 1999--Julitta Grocholska and Anglopol Corporation

This is a scholarly work about Polish immigration by Julitta Grocholska, wife of Michal Grocholski, former Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago. Although it focuses particularly on immigration from southern Poland to the Chicago metropolitan area, much of it is applicable to any place Poles have settled in America. Originally published by National-Louis University in Nowy Sacz, Poland, this is its first publication in the United States.

Bibliography and footnotes have been omitted for simplicity. A few words have been added for clarity to American readers. Grammatical changes were made, but the sense of the writing has not been altered.

Part 4

Summary

Polish Immigrants to the United States and the development of Polonia there is a very broad issue which could be investigated from a different point of view. It is not so easy to decide which kind of things could be treated as most characteristic and important for this phenomenon. This is especially true because many authors, both Polish and American, have already published many studies about Polonia. Upon reflection, I decided to present those things which are most interesting for me as a geographer, i.e., spatial disposition, spatial changes of Polish citizens, their socioeconomic status, promotion of the Polish ethnic group in an American society, etc.

I want to add that my detailed knowledge about Polonia is based on personal experiences, which I had during a more than five-year sojourn in Chicago, the city which is the first or second, after New York, main Polonia center in the United States. In Chicago all of Polonia's problems are easily visible. In this city are the seats of many different organizations, such as the Polish American Congress, the most important one, the Polish National Alliance, the Polish Roman Catholic Union and many others. Here running their activities are over a hundred fraternal, professional, regional and local organizations, representing different forms of political, social and cultural life. There are published Polish newspapers, magazines, etc.; Polish broadcasts and Polonia TV play all important role In Polonia's life. The Polish Museum of America has a rich historical collection and presents many cultural activities. The Copernicus Center organizes many cultural affairs and events, etc.

In Polish ethnic neighborhoods different sorts of Polish businesses opened their doors, e.g., real estates and doctor's offices, travel agencies, food markets, shops, services, etc. Polonia's activities have been developed in so many fields that it's impossible to mention all of them.

In Chicago there is also a well organized network of Polish parochial life. In 46 Roman Catholic churches once a week, at least, a service is celebrated in Polish. In Holy Trinity Church, one of the two oldest Polish churches in Chicago, all patriotic anniversaries and events are commemorated, drawing Polonia from all over the Chicago metropolitan area.

Regarding social and economic advancement of Poles and Americans of Polish ancestry in the American society during the last two decades, it is possible to state that the main restraints now limiting free access to the more elevated posts are the individual levels of education and professional skills. Now, Poles and Polish American are not regarded as a whole ethnic community, but each person is regarded individually. Highly skilled specialists obtain better jobs in high paid professions and they are respected, if they are good in their specialty. It is well known that the power of the U.S. has been created thanks of the mass of immigrants who arrived in this country. So it tries to give the most talented people special protection and assistance, helping them to develop their abilities. It is also true that membership in the so-called liberal professions requires a special certificate. Diplomas obtained in Poland or elsewhere should, in the majority of professions, be recognized in the U.S. It requires special courses and is a huge effort for the applicants, but the final result is satisfactory.

Since the 1970s, the impact of ethnicity in the pejorative sense has been diminished. Newcomers from Asia and other parts of the world changed the former opinion that only "Wasps" were good and welcome. Nowadays in the U.S., education, personality and intellectual assets are more important than ethnicity and skin color; money. But, certainly, there is a very strong competition between individuals for obtaining a good job, payment, position, etc. which creates serious challenges and, simultaneously, rivalry between the potential candidates.

Polish schools play a vital role in the reinforcement of the native culture and tradition among the young generation. Teachers have made a strong effort to train students in the Polish language, history, geography and patriotic education. Also to be appreciated is the effort of Polish teachers in the American so-called bilingual schools that Polish students, children of newcomers, attend. I had occasion to give lectures in the Peter Reinberg school, situated in a region where many recent immigrants live.

Lessons in this school gave me an advantage for carrying out a sociological investigation. I was interested in how these children approved of their new living conditions, and their feeling about what they left in Poland and the "clash" with that what they found in America. I distributed questionnaires and received 96 back. One of the questions was about the place from which came the students. I received information that the most numerous arrived from Southern Poland (Tarnow, Nowy Sacz, including Podhale, and Rzeszow provinces). I also asked why they, i.e., the students' parents, decided to leave Poland. Answers were: "here my dad received a better job," "my mom wanted to earn more money." "my dad was born in the U.S."

The next question was "are the students happy living in the U.S. Based on the anonymous answers, it is possible to state that many students felt nostalgia for the good old days the in homeland where they had friends and family. The students mentioned the lack of common playgrounds, social contacts, etc. Some of them answered, "Poland is my homeland; I miss it." I felt sorry for them reading these opinions.

In the introduction to this article I mentioned Podhale as an area inhabited by people who have the strong motivation to move forward. I observed this spirit in Chicago and in Colorado state especially. In Chicago the Highlanders keep firmly together. They settled in the Southwestern region, particularly Archer Heights. In these two units there are lot of Polish Highlander businesses (shops, markets, offices and other services).

Highlanders are hard-working people and they have had good results. I appreciate very much their spirit of common sense and determination to be successful, rich, powerful, etc. Some of them, since the end of 1980s, have migrated to Colorado state, a region similar to their be loved Podhale countryside, and started to operate motels. They became mostly family businesses; sometimes three generations work there. It is amazing, but now over 90 motels in Colorado state belong to Polish Highlanders and they run them so well that Americans and other nationalities are envious of them. Good luck to the brave Highlanders.

However, what I would like to stress especially in my conclusion is the great role of Polonia, which always supported the old homeland in our difficult national history. It is its great merit and no statement about that would be an exaggeration. Most recently have been the important effort of Polonia to promote our membership in NATO and other good initiatives and support (scholarships, education Support, Medical aid, etc.).

For the future I see it necessary to create in the U.S. a strong Polish lobby, which could have a stronger impact on federal and local policy and administration. It is really a very important challenge, which should be started immediately. Helpful to such an aim would be an investigation about Polonia's position and the status of people of Polish ancestry and Polish Americans in the different spheres of American life.

Poland is still a Country of emigration and the decision to emigrate can be made now without any political obstacles. For many Poles the United States is still synonymous with a bright future and prosperity. So, going to the U.S. is still attractive for many Poles. But, what is hopeful for Poles now is that, thanks to political and economic changes, Poland has became a country of great possibilities and people with entrepreneurial spirit can find a chance and challenge in their own country. Thanks to the open boundaries and free access of people, the experiences and achievements of those who stay in Poland, and those who decided to emigrate, or immigrate and run their businesses in Poland, could be exchanged. That would be valuable to both sides.

-- Conclusion --