USA

I must admit that this text has been in the back of my mind for several years. I have not written it earlier out of concern for the good name of the Polish community in America, of which I am an integral part, but recently some situations just irritate me.

The history of Polish Texans is not very well known. Very few people among the Polish diaspora realize that Texas was the first landing place for Polish refugees escaping the hardships after the November Uprising of 1830; also the site of the first Polish settlement in America; the first home for a Polish Catholic church and parishes on the continent; and the location of the first Polish-language school.

On Wednesday, November 10, that is, on the eve of the National Independence Day, at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland located in a historic building on Lakeshore Blvd. in Chicago, official celebrations were held, combined with the presentation of decorations awarded by the President of Poland, and with artistic performances.

The celebration of Independence forces us all to reflect. It forces us to analyze the facts: what has been done to fix Poland and what has not. Many activities after 1989 are still in doubt.

It is time to create professional, pro-Polish lobbying in strategic countries for Poland, and to invest in the collapsing Polish diaspora media. The network of Polish diaspora media and strategically connected organizations in countries important to Poland is an important step and the most important priority that nobody talks about. The Polish diaspora around the world has the potential that can not only help strategically support Polish interests, but also help change the image of Poland.

People struggled with my last name when I was single, refusing to attempt a pronunciation or apologizing before they even started. My married surname is no easier for them. One man even asked why I couldn’t marry someone named Jones or Smith. I think he was joking, but it stung. This was my ethnicity he was mocking.

In 1936, on the 100th anniversary of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the January 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition Bulletin stated: "In the Hall of Heroes of this Texas Hall of State, at the opening of the Centennial Exposition in Dallas on June 6, Felix Wardziński's name will be inscribed along with with the name of Sam Houston, the liberator, and Stephen F. Austin, the colonizer and father of the Lone Star Empire. "

In today's interview, Kuryer Polski hosts Professor Jim Mazurkiewicz, Regents Fellow and Leadership Program Director, Governor Dolph Briscoe, Jr. Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) Program, and one of the most important leaders of Polonia in the USA.

The Polish media again missed the visit of an important American scientist, leader of the Polish community abroad, and the man behind the liquefied gas (LNG) contract that was signed between Poland and Texas. There were many opportunities indeed to get interested in this extremely distinguished friend of Poland.

The condition of the American Polish diaspora as the largest group of the Polish diaspora should be evaluated by an objective examination of a scientific institution. This analysis should include the current state of affairs and the condition of the Polish diaspora in the United States, as well as an attempt to set the course of action in order to prevent the progressive assimilation of the Polish diaspora in the USA. A report on this should be drawn up by experts from both sides of the political spectrum. This article is an attempt to open a solid debate on the American Polish diaspora as the largest group of the Polish diaspora.

In view of the weakness of the political elites in Poland and in the world, we must promote and educate adepts of the Polish elites. Geopoliticians such as Jacek Bartosiak and Leszek Sykulski talk about it. Editor Rafał Ziemkiewicz echoes them. Similar situation can be observed in the Polish diaspora all over the world. There is a shortage of people who could contribute to creating a new policy for the Polish diaspora in the United States.