A Letter from a Polish Woman

"Why do you have a Polish word in the title of your blog? I am not sure I like it being associated with some of your views." - Chrissy (June 23, 2010)

I received these two sentences in a comment to my previous blog site.  It took me aback.  I don't know Chrissy.  She clearly does not know me.  As she read some of my blogs, she felt compelled to exercise her First Amendment freedom to write me a brief note telling me that my views were not consistent with that which she believed the Polish community would approve.  Apparently, as a Polish man, I am supposed to be sensitive to how the Polish community is perceived and censor myself in that light. 

I disagree.

This was my response to Chrissy:

"Dear Chrissy,

"Thank you for writing. The reason I have the word, 'Powodzenia,' in my title is because as a Polish man, I love the meaning of the word, which I’m sure you know means good luck. It appears you believe that all Polish people believe the same way you do. I am sorry to inform you that this is not the case. There are liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, Christians and Jews, and many other polarities that can be found in our culture, as in every culture. I am surprised, however, to find someone who feels they can speak for an entire culture as you seem to be attempting to do.

"The other aspect of my concern is that as an American, under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, I am freely entitled to express my views and use whatever language I choose. Lech Walensa also fought for those same rights in Poland. As a Polish culture, we have been embattled for centuries with being overrun by Russians, Germans, and many other countries in their futile attempt to cripple or destroy our culture. We were thrown in concentration camps during World War II, not because we were Jewish, but because we were simply Polish. No one person or foreign culture has been able to accomplish that goal. We Poles are too strong.

"It is with this understanding that I invite you to remember our culture, to celebrate the fact that we are free to speak our minds and hearts as both Poles and Americans, and to move toward a more compassionate understanding of others’ views. It is the same appearance of your close-mindedness that incited some of the greatest tragedies in our common Polish history.

"Powodzenia, pani Chrissy,

"James"

Some may suggest that I should have asked her about which views she found so offensive as to inspire her typing these two phrases.  I suppose I'm not a very sensitive listener/reader, because I was not at all concerned about that.  It could have been my views on politics, equal rights, our military, or my support of Tyreke Evans from the Sacramento Kings as Rookie of the Year.  That wasn't the point. 

In 2010, some of our citizens still think that we are supposed to have a homogeneous belief system to which everyone must ascribe.  These same citizens also believe, as is in evidence from Chrissy's note, that those who do not believe in the same way should be silenced, or at least, not identify themselves as part of the accepted majority.   This concept takes me directly to other periods in history when individuals suggested that this would be the best course of action. 

What a tiny world in which Chrissy and all the other Chrissys (Chrissies?) must live.  My father's entire family is Polish and I know that we represent the spectrum of philosophies and belief systems.  We argue about them and laugh about them, but what we do not do is attempt to silence those around us who disagree.  We know that this would be ethically criminal.

So, to Chrissy, and those who share her beliefs, I offer no apologies or other explanations for what I write.  I only offer my pride in my Polish heritage, my gratitude for my citizenship as an American, and my awe at the freedom I enjoy as a writer.