People Who Are Polish: A Video And Why We Share

I found this video on youtube and wanted to share it.

It's a slide show of people who are Polish or have Polish roots and who are famous.  Perhaps you might recognize a few?

I also want to explain why I share information about famous Poles and people who have Polish roots, or ancestry. 

It's not about thinking Poland or Polish peoples are better than America or American people.  Neither is better than the other, America and Poland are both amazing in their own ways.  

My children may one day feel inspired to not be ashamed of being Polish American.  I want them to be proud and not bow to Polack jokes or sneers by others. 

I don't want them to feel superior, it's not about that.  It's about celebrating who you are, whatever or whoever you are.  Whether it be Polish, Cherokee, Ethiopian, Indian, or whatever culture your family comes from.

I also want them to understand what it means to be Polish American.  That it is a culture, that we have certain foods, songs, traditions, a language, roots in a far away land where some of our family still lives and who we still have contact with because distance has nothing to do with love and family. 

It's about growing their souls as little people, making the world more understandable, helping them to become compassionate towards others, giving them the idea that the world is open to them and that they are a part of it.

I want them to also see that America is a land filled with stories like this, full of people who's ancestral ties are with countries around the world, and how wonderful that is, how unique.

I want them to grow, to be, to become, to feel inspired, to truly dream, to be kind, to know.

So, while I get a hard time by some for sharing stories about my heritage, my children's heritage, I just want to say that if you still don't understand why I share, that's not my or my children's concern.

We are here, we are living, we are celebrating who we are while respecting and celebrating who everyone else as well.

As it should be.

Na razie...

Pulaski Day

Before moving to Illinois, I never never heard of Pulaski Day.  But it's a celebrated day in Illinois, with public schools closed, many private schools closed, libraries and some other state institutions closed as well.

Pulaski was a household name for us living in Maryland.  Pulaski Highway, the Pulaski monument in Patterson Park (in Highlandtown, where a once thriving Polish American community used to reside by the thousands).

But, we never had off from school for him.  In fact, unless your Polish parents made it a point to tell you who he was, you didn't know.

So, who was Kazimierz Pułaski?  Or, his Americanized name, Casimir Pulaski?

He was a rebel.  A criminal.  A man on the run.  An idealist.  A life saver.  And much much more.

Pulaski was born in Poland's Warsaw, where my Dziadek's family comes from pre-WWII.  He lived through the Partitions. 

He fought bravely against the Russians, thus becoming a rebel and outlaw. 

When he fled to France, he met LaFayette and Benjamin Franklin, whom he befriended.  Franklin highly recommended him to George Washington.  He moved to the USA, where he saved Washington's life in Brandywine.

He is considered "the father of American Cavalry".  His efforts in the American Revolution are considered to be extremely important.  He died in service at the Battle of Savannah.

Today, on Windy City Live, he was remembered.  Lech Walesa made an appearance along with a Polish immigrant fitness trainer who prepared a Polish influenced dish.  Polish music was played and the episode presented Poland in it's positive and modern light. 

Except for one element.  I saw no mention of the train accident that had occurred over the weekend in Poland, which claimed the lives of 16 individuals (may they rest in peace) and injured 58 others.  (See also:  TVP article in Polish)

All in all, I think it was a fitting tribute and great way to keep many inspired to stay connected to their roots.  And to remember how diverse Chicago, and American history, really is.

Na razie...

People You Didn't Know Are Polish: Johnny Galecki

If you follow me on Twitter, you might know that I am a fan of The Big Bang Theory.  I actually chuckle at the science jokes and the scenarios discussing social awkwardness resound with me.

I will admit now that I was deemed "Gifted" in school as well.  I won't get into that right now.

The cast of The Big Bang Theory has 5 main characters and they are all linked together by their relationship with Johnny Galecki's character, Leonard Hofstadter.

Johnny Galecki's last name is pronounced Gah-weht-skee and he is of Polish, Italian and Irish decent.

On The Late Late Show, Johnny actually discusses being Polish.  And guess what?  He's from Chicago.






Na razie...




Related Posts:

Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Poles Who Shaped the Face of American History

Rob Van Dam

Warner (Warner Brothers Films)

More People Who Are Polish: Warner

We all know Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., one of the largest largest American motion-picture studios.  But did you know that the Warner brothers are Polish?  Jack, Harry, Sam, and Albert Warner were brothers born to a Polish immigrant.

I found some interesting links showing the family's history:
A link with geneological information about the Warner brothers and their family.  The article states they were from "Krasnoshiltz" of the "Russian Empire".  This town is called Krasnosielc of Poland, as Poland was at the time of their immigration a part of the Russian Empire.

While the last name Warner is not a Polish last name, Polish and Jewish history and culture have been linked since the 10th century and, especially, during the time of the "Black Death" when Jews were unfairly blamed for it.  Yes, I know, it's Wikipedia, but there are a lot of credible links in this link.

Another link with the history of the Warner brothers.

And a link to a family history film.

I don't think I need to explain Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc., what films they have done, etc.  We all know that large gold "WB" logo instinctively when it flashes across the screen.

Na razie...

More People Who Are Polish: Elisabeth Hasselbeck

I rarely admire and follow public figures and celebrities.  Extremely rarely.  If you speak to me about what soandso wore to thisandthis event, I probably won't know, or frankly care.  Until they are someone I can relate to.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck is one of few public figures I feel confident enough about how she has ever portrayed herself publicly to show her as a role model to my daughters.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck's maiden name is Elisabeth DelPadre Filarski and is of Polish and Italian descent, just like my daughters are.  And she is gorgeous, just like my daughters.

Her political views tend to mesh with my own and I have not yet come across any political stances she holds that I have not agreed with (besides supporting Palin, who I didn't feel confident enough in to support once it was reported she said the words "The country of Europe" which I later found out she never said.  Does my opinion regarding Palin change?  I'm not yet sure.).

She dresses like a woman of European background, in my opinion, anyway.  I have never seen her wearing anything inappropriate on any occasions, which speaks highly of her, as so many in today's public light have "accidentally" showed more skin than was appropriate.  Frankly, I envy her wardrobe.

She has kept her cool during very heated political conversations with people who's views appear to be the exact opposite of hers on The View, which I did not watch before she joined.

She has made mention that she breastfed her three children, at least for a period of time, which I strongly support.  The fact, however, that she "felt uncomfortable" with breastfeeding, and then, later I found out that supposedly she was a spokesperson for a baby formula, goes against what I value.  That is to say, that I don't find breastfeeding uncomfortable and that I only find uncomfortable the extremely vocal opinions of people who find what our bodies were naturally made to do as women to be something disgusting and somehow socially unacceptable.  To each their own, I suppose.

All in all, she is a wonderful role model for my Polish American daughters and I am proud to call her a part of Polish America.

People Who I Am Claiming As Polish: Rob Van Dam

One of the struggles many immigrant mothers, like myself, have with their American born children is teaching them to be proud of who they are.  I was raised that this pride has to include where your family comes from or else you are only proud of where you are and not of where you have been and that this pride also is a sign of respect for your family and all they did to give you the life you are now living.

One of the easiest ways to teach that pride is to point out other people, even public figures, who share that same heritage.

So, I have been wanting to start this as a series.  "People Who I Am Claiming As Polish".

The first person is one my wrestling loving husband pointed out to me.  Rob Van Dam. 

Rob Van Dam is probably one of my husband's all time favorite wrestlers.  He's cool, cocky, very funny, extremely good at what he does, and is easy to relate to. 

When I have ever seen him on television, there has been no denial in my mind that man is Polish.  He has the same eye shape as 1/2 of my family has and he's good looking.  Must be Polish.

To further establish my suspicions of his Polish heritage, his real name is Robert Alexander Szatowski.  I do not know the reason for him using the name "Rob Van Dam" for his stage name but it could be a combination of Americans thinking that Dutch/German names are somehow better ion some strange way than Polish names (which I personally disagree with), German culture is stronger in the linguistic history of the English language and therefor easier to be remembered, and perhaps it's possible that Mr. Szatowski has some Dutch or German ancestry as well or his family could be from the German area of Poland or something.  It doesn't matter, either way, his real last name is Szatowski.  Which is Polish.

Also, Rob Van Dam plays in the movie Wrong Side of Town where he plays "Bobby Kalinowsky, a Polish pipe layer turned landscaper. He was also in the Navy SEALS, Polish division".  I doubt this is a coincidence.

I think every boy needs reinforcement that being Polish or of Polish descent is something to be proud of.  And Rob Van Dam is definitely an example I would share with any boys struggling with their identity.  I also tell my daughters about "Mr. Pay Per View" himself as an example of successful Polish Americans.

Now, if Rob Van Dam would confirm on here that he is indeed Polish, I would squeal like a silly school girl.

I have not been paid to write about Rob Van Dam, link to any of these sites, or promote anything.  I just want to share this to spread information.