Impact of Heritage on My Culture

Understanding one’s ethnicity plays a large role in helping an individual understand his or her background and culture. I have always known that I was unique in the sense that I am 100% Polish; however, I’ve never really understood the impact that my heritage has had on my way of life.
Poland is a country located in central Europe, bordered by Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Russia. It is a country in which agriculture plays a big role in its economy. Approximately 35% of the population lives in rural areas. It also has a wealth of natural resources, including coal, sulfur, salt and copper. Poland is also considered to be an example of a successful transition from a Communist to market economy. It was under Communist rule until 1989, and then shifted into a democratic government. It is also known as the location for the Auschwitz internment camps during World War II. The majority of the population is Catholic, and one important figure within the Polish Catholic church is Pope John Paul II.
All my relatives, including my parents, have been born and raised in Poland. My mother and father both immigrated to the United States when they were each eighteen years old. When speaking to my parents, they have both told me that they chose to leave behind their families and the only way of life they knew, to pursue a better future for themselves and for their children. Since both my mother and father grew up on farms, the pressure to work was constantly applied. As children of farmers, education was placed on the back burner. Neither of my parents could fathom living the rest of their lives like that, knowing there were better opportunities elsewhere. When they were growing up, Poland was still under Communist rule, which is another reason why they chose to leave. So when both turned eighteen years old, my mother and father chose to immigrate to America.
My father studied English in high school so he was able to communicate with people once he arrived in the U.S. When he arrived, he lived in Yonkers, N.Y. with some relatives. However, he worked hard to improve his language skills by reading a lot of books and translating Polish texts to English. My father said it was difficult to find a good job at first because many employers were hiring people who were able to fluently speak English and had a college degree. His first job was working in a junkyard, taking apart cars. He then worked in a woodworking store, finishing furniture for a couple of years before working as a security guard in NYC. During that time, he decided to go to a trade school, where he studied for an engineering degree. After graduating, he obtained a job as an operating engineer in a commercial building in Manhattan. My father said that he initially faced prejudice at his job because his co-workers harbored resentment that a foreigner could obtain a good job. He would often be singled out to do the more tedious tasks, even when he was promoted. Although my father never formally graduated from college, through hard work and dedication, he was able to get a respected and well-paying job. During this time, his English became fluent and today he does not have an accent.
When she arrived in Elizabeth, NJ, my mother lived with relatives who spoke only Polish inside the home for about a year. During this time, she worked in their deli business, so she was not able to acquire any English skills. It wasn’t until she got her own apartment and took an ESL night class that she began learning English. She also worked as a housekeeper in a hotel for a short time, which also helped improve her English skills. Since she had no college education, it was difficult for her to find a good job. When she married my father, she decided to be a stay at home mother. When my sister and I entered school, she decided to take classes at the local community college to further improve her English. Several years ago, she began working for as technical operator in the packaging department of a pharmaceutical company.
Both my parents have achieved personal success. They have served as an inspiration to me throughout my life. Although they have lived in this country for over thirty years, they have never forgotten their roots and have encouraged me to embrace my heritage as well. My parents still speak Polish at home, and when I was a child, I was also able to fluently communicate with them in Polish. However, as I entered school, I was socialized into the dominant culture and have since lost my ability to speak two languages fluently. On special occasions, my mother will cook traditional Polish dishes, such as pierogies and kielbasa. Growing up, my parents took my sister and I to a local festival sponsored by a Polish organization that celebrates Polish culture. It was an opportunity for me to learn the traditional songs, dances, and plays. Through my parents, I have been able to experience Polish culture firsthand, and it has enabled me to take pride in my heritage. I can honestly say that I am proud to be Polish!