DATE: Feb. 10, 1998
Dedicated Group Keeps Polish Heritage AliveBy Christina Hale, Purdue North Central student WESTVILLE - Many people believe that there is a cultural crisis within the Northwest Indiana community. As generations grow up and leave home, long-cherished family traditions often become lost. A group of area men and women, however, have united to do their part to combat this phenomenon. Currently under the guidance of Purdue University North Central assistant professor Janusz Duzinkiewicz, Chesterton, a class of seven highly motivated adults meets once a week to study, speak and share the Polish language and heritage with one another. Although it began three years ago, in the fall of 1994 with an original class size of about 30 people, the group had whittled itself down to its current core of dedicated students when Duzinkiewicz joined them in the September of 1997. "This is what's left, but we're a very determined bunch, you bet!" says Barbara Dean, Rolling Prairie. "Polish is a very, very difficult language," says Henry Wroblewski, Michigan City, who has been with the group since its inception. Duzinkiewicz is extremely impressed with the energy, interest and effort the students pour into their studies. "While the group is not connected with the university, its pursuit of a foreign language out of personal interest reflects a vital goal of higher education," Duzinkiewicz said. "Central to their mission is the expansion of student's horizons beyond narrow professional interests." For mother and daughter Irene and Rosanne Brown, this becomes very personal. "When we call each other on the phone, we always use Polish," says Rosanne Brown, Beverly Shores. "I listen more, and she speaks." Her mother Irene, Michigan City grew up in a family where her parents communicated solely in Polish, yet she made it a point to speak only in English, in an effort to teach her parents the language of their new home. She credits her daughter's interest in her Polish heritage for exciting her own interest. "My daughter is very determined, and genuinely interested," said Irene Brown. "It's because of Rosanne that I've stuck with it. "Every Thursday night, Rosanne and I are there to learn." "Back in the 40's at St. Stan's school, half of the day was taught in Polish, and the other half of the day was taught in English," according to Henry Wroblewski, Michigan City. Wroblewski credits the Michigan City Health Care Center for supporting the group's efforts in spirit. "We use the conference room free of charge...that's a community involvement," he said. This is a change in attitude from what many Polish Americans experienced in the past. Jennifer Keller, LaPorte, told of her uncle's struggles with his Polish heritage...he had to hide it. "He wouldn't get promoted if the boss knew he was Polish, she said. He had to change his name first." Duzinkiewicz believes that kind of attitude is what has put the Polish-American identity in crisis. "People are forced to lose their Polish names to get ahead in business...and then no one associates their success with being Polish. I think it's a scandalous situation," says Duzinkiewicz, who was born in New York to parents who immigrated from Poland in 1954. He credits having learned Polish at home for affording him the opportunity to travel and pursue his research interests. "It is a major advantage to be able to function in two different cultures, and this I have my parents to thank for," he said. "I am very happy to help this group not only in contributing to achieving their personal goals, but also because I am convinced that what they are doing helps society." Barbara Dean, Rolling Prairie, is teaching what she learns in class to her grandson. She believes that a sense of culture and heritage is a value that needs to be reinforced by families, as well. "People should be proud of their heritage, and proud to pass it on to their children." For Duzinkiewicz, efforts such as Dean's and her classmates embody the ideals of democratic society. "A healthy, vital society requires diversity in religion, political ideology, personal philosophy, sexual preference, aesthetic tastes, and, very importantly, ethnicity. Uniformity may at times be appealing but ultimately it leads to stagnation and decline," he said. Sometimes, however, the motivation behind such lofty ideals can be evidenced through unusual motivations, as well, such as described by Wroblewski. "Seven years ago I ended up with an inoperable heart problem, so I went out and got a pet. I have the first generation offspring of a Polish foxhound...his parents were born in Krakow. I wanted to learn Polish so I could train him in his first language," said Wroblewski, of his dog Lisi (whose name means "foxy" in Polish). "The more I learned, the more difficult it became...and greater the challenge. I'm not a quitter." Duzinkiewicz says he's grateful for the experience of working with the group, and for the opportunity to help their greater contribution to society. His students are grateful too. "Dr. Duzinkiewicz is dedicated," said Irene Brown. "I think he was glad to find some people doing what we are trying to do, and we are so appreciative."
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