Polonia Business Association
Hartford Advocate
Our Response was Printed in the Hartford Advocate: March 17, 2005 Not Broad-Minded
Britain Trainspotting," Feb. 25]. In it Bulger referred to the Polish residents of New Britain as "Eastern European gangsta types ... wearing fake-looking leather." His statements are degrading, narrow-minded and insulting. I fail to see how his comments relate to the purpose of his article. Those residents put their kids through school and work hard to give their families a better life. Broad Street is made up with a lot of hardworking Polish families and wonderful businesses. The fact that most stores end in "ski" (as Bulger noted) is a testament to the economic investment the Polish community has made. He seemed surprised when the "shadowy pedestrians" he approached did not know anything about heroin. What kind of response did Mr. Bulger expect? I am sure that in asking anyone in any community about heroin he would probably receive similar responses. I also spend time on Broad Street. I bought an engagement ring from Rafaels on Broad Street. The owner is an artisan from Krakow that makes the most unique jewelry. I buy my groceries at Noweskis Meat Market where clients travel from as far north as Vermont. I eat at the area's many wonderful restaurants. You can get satellite service from Orbitech Satellite or get pampered at Danusia's Day Spa. The fact is the area offers a rich cultural fabric that only enhances our state. I suggest Mr. Bulger not base his assessment of New Britain or the Polish community on the "Go Go" club he visited. Whether it be the music of Chopin, the science of Copernicus, or the writings of Sienkiewicz, Polish culture greatly enhances our own. Polish generals assisted our young nation in its quest to gain independence and helped preserve it during our Civil War. Poland's Solidarnosc movement and the efforts of the Polish-born Pope were instrumental in bringing the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mr. Bulger owes the Polish community and the city of New Britain an apology. They do not deserve such treatment. -Adrian Mark Baron Printed in the Hartford Advocate: April 21, 2005 Polish Jokes
Adam Bulger made a reference to some New Britain residents as "Eastern European gangsta types on the Polish strip wearing fake-looking leather jackets." Considering the comment was in a story about heroin abuse next to a picture of a large syringe, the article offended many in the Polish community. It got me thinking. What is offensive? Are people being overly sensitive? What if the article referred to Latino gangsta types on the Puerto Rican strip? Not the same? I disagree. Both groups face similar tough obstacles. You just don't hear about it as much. Of course, if the comment was about Scandinavian gangsta types on the Norwegian strip, would anyone have been up in arms? Perhaps not, but when is the last time you heard a joke about Norwegians, the Scottish or Swedes. In that respect, when is the last time you heard a Polish joke. Bias against Poles is often glazed over. A few weeks ago, an elderly Polish couple in Shelton had their house set on fire and anti-Polish slurs and swastikas were spray-painted throughout their home. The story barely registered a blip. On the silver screen, the treacherous villain in the film Enigma is a Polish code-breaker that betrays the allies to work with the Nazis. In reality, Polish codebreakers are credited for breaking the Enigma code during WWII. To a generation of movie audiences, the victims and heroes of WWII just became the perpetrators. The movie S.W.A.T. contained similar unfairness. As officers arrive on the scene they find a lone man in his underwear holding a gun to his own head. The S.W.A.T team chuckles that they have a "Polish hostage" situation. Archie Bunker funny? Hardly. The S.W.A.T. writers missed the underlying point of All in the Family. Whether it is labeled prejudice or artistic expression, such derogatory remarks display the ignorance of the remarker. Why should such jabs get a free pass simply because they are about Polish people? Mr. Bulger, we are still waiting for our apology ... meathead. |
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