Polish

= Polish Immigrants =

By: Kaitlin Pokorny
We came here between 1800-1860. My group and I came to the United States because we were looking for a better life. Most of us were agrarian and unskilled laborer, and we came from a country that had been occupied by outside forces up until 1919. A lot of us couldn't live in Poland because that country hadn't modernized its agricultural methods or industries and couldn't compete with the more industrialized countries in Western Europe. The first Polish-American settlement was in Panna Maria, Texas. But some immigrants settled in some of the upper-midwestern cites. Like, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Omaha, St. Louis, and most Chicago. The Polish immigrants did have jobs, they worked in the Mills and slaughterhouses in these growing cities. There was a lot of stereotypes that happened with the Polish in the US. They said that they were slow, stupid, undependable, and volatile drunkards. They were also accused of wrecking the economy because they sent money back to Poland to help out their family members. There journey here was good, but also very hard. The hardest thing they had to deal with was finding housing, they didn't have much luck, but eventually they found something. There employment was easy to find, they worked in factories. They brought food, language, words, phrases, styles, clothes, fashions, music, dances and more. But now today, as we speak, the Polish immigrants that came to America are doing good. There work and education are great. They have made a difference in America. They have changed a lot and have influenced a lot of people. Their skills and talents have improved drastically and have changed how they work and live. Video of Polish Immigrants- [|Picture of The Polish] [|American Flag]

=Interview-= Me: Thanks so much for coming today and answering some questions

Group: Sure, no problem. Thanks for having us.

Me: Anytime, first question I'd like to ask is, why did you come to America?

Group: The main reason we came here was to live a better life. We needed money and jobs and like I just said, we needed a better life.

Me: On the way here, how were things?

Group: Things were good, but bad and very hard at times. It was a struggle and most of all a challenge. It was am amazing memory and it will never be forgotten

Me: Sounds like a tough time! I bet when you got here good and bad things occurred. Was there any name calling or rude things said to any of you?

Group: Yes, actually a lot of name calling, and sometimes rude things were said but it never bothered us and most of the time we didn't care.

Me: That's to bad. But, How are things now a days?

Group: Things are great. People are great and there is a lot more options and choices and its just a better life and we don't regret anything, not one bit. All of our skills and talents have improved so much and we are all just so thankful to be here.

Me: Well that's great! Thank you so much for coming!

Group: No, thank you!

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