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...

People Who Are Polish: Jane Krakowski

You've seen this stunning woman before if you watch television. 

Credit:  Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) by Capital M, on Flickr

 

 

 

Jane Krakowski is an American actress who is on 30 Rock. 

 

 

Other shows and movies Jane Krakowski has been in:

• National Lampoon Vacation
• Fatal Attraction
• Stepping Out
• Ally McBeal
• A Christmas Carol

 

 

 

This Polish American beauty is also a regular on Broadway.

 

Jane Krakowski's original last name was Krajkowski.  Her family is Polish and originally from Krakow.

 

 Na razie...

 

 

 

Related Posts:

Polish American Characters on My So Called Life

 

People Who Are Polish:  The Inventor of the Mine Detector

 

Books for Polish American Kids

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polish American Characters on My So Called Life

For those of us who were teenagers in the 1990's, My So Called Life was a short-lived show that captured so much of our lives.

While there is little information out about the show, after all there were only 19 episodes before it was canceled, the show has to this day a bit of a cult following.

When I watched the show as a teenager, the names of two characters seemed for a split second to stick out for me.  However, growing up being told over and over that being Polish was something to be ashamed of, I figured that I was either imagining it or something along those lines.

And they aren't stupid, in fact, the character "Sharon" isn't portrayed as... very loose. Since that was the typical Polish character on TV at the time, and even to this day, I wrote them off as not Polish.

Plus, I didn't think that they looked Polish, or at least, they didn't look like me.  In my humble opinion (My So Called Life reference, he he).

Fast forward 17 years later, I decided one day to watch the series after my kids bedtime just for fun.

In the first episode, I heard the names again.

Sharon Chirsky and Brian Krakaw...

And I thought, it had to be my imagination.  They don't sound like Polish names, I told myself.

So, for fun, I decided to look up more information on the show.

It turns out Sharon Chirsky is actually spelled Sharon Cherski as I thought it would be.  She's very intelligent and is actively involved in school activities.  Her father's name is revealed as "Andy", which I assume to be Andrew, the English version of a popular Polish name Andrzej.

Brian Krakaw is actually Brian Krakow.  Of course, I always forget how Krakow is pronounced in English.  And it turns out he is Jewish.  With Blond hair.  Brian is also very intelligent.  Socially awkward, yes, but then again, his parents are a behavioral psychologist and Freudian psychiatrist.  Brian's father's name is "Bob".

So, here are two TV characters that don't portray Polish American and Polish Jewish Americans in the typical negative light that we are so used to seeing as a society.  At a time when I was so used to seeing Poles and Polish Americans as nothing more than overly religious, stupid, slutty, back stabbing and cowardly, I missed that here were two positive and relatable characters on one of my absolutely favorite shows.  And this at a time when I needed, absolutely needed to see positive Polish American characters on TV.

Of course, the series never made it past the first season. 

Hopefully when my kids are old enough, we can snuggle on the sofa together and watch the show together, and I can whisper in their ear during the first episode, "Sharon is Polish American and Brian is Polish Jewish American.  They are both very smart and good hearted people, just like you."

Na razie...

People You Didn't Know Are Polish: The Man Who Invented Mine Detectors

Mine detectors are used every single day all over the world.  They are used to clear paths for soldiers in combat zones.  Mine detectors are also used in places such as Lebanon and Sri Lanka to clear lands which had previously been mined during wars and which now are intended for safe use by locals again.



But who invented the Mine Detector?  Józef Kosacki.

Kosacki was a Polish WWII soldier who finished his design of the first ever mine detector in 1941.



I must point out something about Kosacki and his invention: 

Kosacki did not patent the first ever mine detector.  He gifted it to the British Army for the war effort against Germany.

Kosacki's invention has revolutionized war and postwar efforts to save lives in a massive way.  I hope the next time you see on television or in a movie, or read in a book or a news article, about someone clearing an area of mines, that you remember the Polish contribution.




Related Link: Time Magazine article "History of Mine Detectors"


And remember that Ted Turner (of Time Warner) and Polish jokes about Polish mine detectors being a foot are uninformed and inappropriate. 

Na razie...

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People Who Are Polish: VS Model

People You Didn't Know Are Polish: Johnny Galecki

Poles Who Shaped the Face of American History

People Who Are Polish: VS Model

One of the newest Victoria Secret models is from Poland.

Her name is Magdalena Frackowiak and she was born in Gdansk, Poland on 6 October, 1984. 

Madgalena has appeared on the cover of Elle, Vogue, Dazed and Confused and countless other fashion magazines.  She has worked with Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta and others.

Magdalena's eyes and pout are her signature looks.  When you get a chance to look at the shape of her eyes, you'll see that they are curved in a very unique way.  Some call these "Polish eyes".  They run in my father's side of the family, who are from the Białystok area and other surrounding towns.

When I was growing up, I had no female stars to look at who looked like me in any way.  It's refreshing to see women who are from that area of the world being celebrated now for their beauty.  I'll be showing my younger daughter photos of Magdalena's eyes, since she inherited the same feature from me.


Side Note:  I wonder if she goes by the typical Polish familiar of Madga.


Na razie...






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Rocket From Little Einsteins

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People You Didn't Know Are Polish: Rocket from Little Einsteins

While watching TV today with my 2 year old (yes, I let my children watch TV), I noticed that Rocket from Disney's Little Einsteins is Polish.






The episode in question is called "Little Red Rockethood".


The episode places the Little Einsteins in Bialowieza, Poland.  Rocket's Grandma lives there and is sick with a cold.  I'm going to call her "Babcia".  If she lives in Bialowieza, most likely she is Polish, after all.


Also, something subtle I must point out.  Rocket is red.  It's a very subtle thing that Poles like to sometimes do to acknowledge their heritage, the color red.  In fact, I have a love for red leather boots and purses myself.


The "Rocket Soup" the group brings to Rocket's Babcia looks suspiciously like Barszcz Czysty.  When you watch the video, tell me what you think.


German/Polish version of the tale of Little Red Riding Hood.


Sadly, Disney didn't think to use a Polish composer or painter for this episode.


More information about Bialowieza (UNESCO).


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...




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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.