Can Brits accept Poles living in Britain?

After reading The Telegraph’s article “Why Poles love coming to Britain“, I was surprised with all the comments, both positive and negative, about Poles and the British immigration situation in general.  The conversation became quite heated, so, I jumped in with my own arguments.
The diversity of the comments was quite enjoyable.  It must be a different readership sampling or more involved citizens.  In any case, arguments from the pro-immigration group and the not-so-much-for-more-immigrants people, were interesting and illuminating.

It seems that Brits, as any other nation obviously, are quite disgusted with the freeloading hordes of immigrants taking over their country.  No argument here.  Germans deal with their Turks, France with Gypsies, Denmark with Pakistanis and Somalis, and United States with Mexicans.  However, British situation is different since a majority of the latest immigrants are from the Eastern Europe making them an easy target.

Why an easy target?  Because, immigrants from the EU member states are eligible for all the social net goodies enjoyed by the native Brits.  And that is the real issue here.  Speaking broken-English, fresh of the plane or a bus, newcomers looking for a chance of a better life, chipping away the status quo of the “regular” or “integrated” immigrants.  Doesn’t matter that an overwhelming majority of Poles are willing to work hard and establish their households to bring or start their families.  To some Brits, they are a threat.

For some reason, some of the comments marginalized Polish soldiers sacrifices during the WWII, mentioned in the article.  Perhaps Brits don’t want to remember this fact but Poles did fights on all fronts of the WWII, including UK.

UberNibbler: So 5,820,000 Poles, including 3,000,000 Polish Jews, or 16% of the total population killed during the WWII is not enough for you? Looks like UK lost 450,900 people or 0.94% of the total population. US lost 418,500 people.  France 567,600.  When you take the number of total pre-war population of Western Europe, it looks to me that Poland suffered its fair share.  How many unaccounted murders were committed on the Polish anti-communists after the war?  Well, that’s a book. So don’t you dare insult our patriotism.

zeppelin: The Poles were some of the best spitfire pilots that we had in WW2. I visit some Polish graves of some downed Polish pilots on Romney Marsh, and as far as I am concerned, we are indebted to these men who allowed us our freedom today, and we should remember their sacrifice.

UberNibbler:  First of all, the telegraph website comments are quite an adventure.  In a positive way.  Great conversations.
Well, since you started, let’s have a quick history WWII lesson, shall we?
—RAF No. 303 Polish Fighter Squadron
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N…
—Battle of Monte Cassino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B…
—Breaking the Enigma code – surprised?
http://www.polandinexile.com/e…
—1st Armoured Divison – Polish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1…
—Cichociemni – “The Unseen and Silent” covert operation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C…
…and finally, a nice summary of the Polish contribution during the WWII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P…
As a first country in Europe, Poland took on Hitler and said no to his insane view of new Europe.  You can say anything about Poles but when it comes to the credit for our history, we take what’s ours.

pry: Do not forget the “doomed soldiers” of the biggest anti-communist uprising in Europe lasting till nearly 60′s.

UberNibbler: Absolutely.  To the West -  virtually unknown story of the Polish underground resistance during and way after WWII.  Home Army AK and National Armed Forces NSZ, prosecuted after the war and continuing fighting the communist regime.  If anyone wants to get a feel of that time, watch one of the greatest and most compelling movie released in recent times: General Nil (2009). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…  After years of half-baked productions, this movie, based on a true story of general Emil Fieldorf, shows the real deal.  Another movie, Historia Roja (Story of Roj) currently in production struggling with financing to finish the masterpiece, will tell another true story about Polish commander Mieczyslaw Dziemieszkiewicz.  http://ratujmyroja.pl After years and years of communist and post-communist lies, the true history of those times is finally reaching the light.
…since I’m on the roll here, people tend to forget about France and its sins during WWII.  Comparing to Poland, France shamelessly took the collaborator exit.  So much for the 1939 “power” in Europe. But talking fecal matter about Poland and our “weakness” is ok.  Wrong.

There are tons of more great comments for you to enjoy.  And one that gets right to the point of all that frustration with the immigration is from RodPolisher.  Great nick btw.  Read the articles.  If you dare.

Here’s 3 different families for starters…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…

Like with any society, there is some undesirable behavior.  That would apply to the immigrants but also to the Brits.  Nice counter from: AlenLemone

“UK man held over ‘murder’ in Spain” :
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
“Pictured: Moment British man, 32, is arrested in France for sexual assault and brutal murder of mother-of-three” :
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/new…
“British man arrested in Spain on suspicion of murdering his mother” :
http://www.independent.co.uk/n…
“Briton arrested in Benalmadena for Tenerife brawl death” :
http://www.theolivepress.es/sp…
“Ten Britons arrested in Spain over ‘boiler room fraud’ ” :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-2…

For the rest of us, the number game should provide the best overview of just how much of a burden on the British society are the immigrants.  The IZA (Institute for the Study of Labor) put together a great document summarizing all of the handouts in UK.  You can find it here.
One fact that won’t change regardless of the arguments is: Poles see UK as a great place to work and live.  The big question is: can Brits accept Poles in the long run without prejudice?  I leave you with this:

UberNibbler: Please read between the lines. This article is trying to tell you something.  Legally, UK government cannot pick and choose between “desirable” and “less desirable” immigrants.  Will Poles have easier time adjusting to the British culture, religion, values?  Of course they will.  Poles are Christians, raised in a traditional country, share the patriotism and history of a national pride with the UK.  In fact, regular Polish families see UK as a perfect opportunity to continue their lives in a similar environment, bar the corruption,  distrusted political “elites”, and lack of good paying jobs.  Can the article flatly say: thank you white, conservative, Polish people for rescuing our country?  No, it’s illegal.  But deep down, we all know the game.  The game of racial and religious balance.  Why is Germany no longer seeing Turks as a crisis?  Because Eastern Block balanced the scale. Yes, all immigration brings spice to every country.  As with genetic pool, diversity is needed.  You can thank all the Eastern Europeans in about 20 years when their children start paying for your overrated social benefits. Don’t mention it, you’re welcome.

 

Foreign owned media in Poland continue the anti Polish immigrants campaign

The foreign owned mass media in Poland, especially the popular web portals, continue the misinformation campaign directed toward the Polish immigrants.  The issue is not new but the level of the subtle negativity is growing.  

Whoever is controlling the misinformation, is trying to influence the view of the so-called "Polonia" (Polish immigrants) presented to the Poles in the home country.
For the most part, the online articles are shallow and misguiding.  The latest example comes again from the onet.pl portal.  In the photo journal story titled "Jackowo i Polakowo. Zobacz, jak żyją nasi rodacy w USA", a dozen random pictures from New York City Brooklyn's "Little Poland" and Chicago's "Polish Village" summarize the life of Poles.  The commentaries point out what you can expect to find in those Polish enclaves using the term "Polish ghetto".

One must wonder why certain elements in Poland really despise Polish immigrants in the U.S.  Is it because they had a chance for a better life?  Perhaps the negative campaign is design to discredit the well established Polish organizations overseas that disagree with the current Polish political leaders with questionable agenda?

You cannot generalize the life of an immigrant.  Yes, a lot of older Poles don't speak English but that fact doesn't prevent them from working or establishing businesses.  Yes, their own businesses, ran with limited English!  That’s the beauty of the America.  If you want to succeed, the doors are open.  Is that what rubs you the wrong way?  The ability to come to America and become a successful individual?

The traditional inner-city Polish neighborhoods are changing all over U.S.  Slow but constant migration to the suburbs in search of better schools, safer streets, and larger housing is a new reality for all immigrants.  Someone said that America is not a melting pot of cultures but rather a jar of marbles; all different but coexisting and working together.  Poles have a long way to go when learning to coexist with other cultures but surprisingly, they do very well in America.

Is it all pretty and bubbly?  Of course not.  Like with any other social group, Poles have their share of misconduct and black sheep.  But it's not a national failure but rather an individual choice of people that just took a wrong turn in life.  Coexistence and respect is a two-way highway.  Americans don't force their culture on anyone but if you don't diversify your experiences and refuse to discover new ways of interacting with people, you will be stuck in the past.

Polish immigrants and Polish-Americans are a well respected group.  Americans value our cultures and admire the will to push forward.  It's a stubborn handyman "Polack" that will lay your roof, fix your car, and take care of your kids while cleaning your house.  Yes, immigrants must start somewhere but you have no right to put them down with some one-sided articles.  You have no idea how it is to start a new life in a new country leaving all that you knew behind.  No idea.  

And if you think you have an idea because you spent 6 months in Germany or Ireland working some construction jobs, wait about 5 years and then revisit your thoughts.  I guarantee, you will look at your life very differently. 

So, my message to every Pole behind the nasty comments below every anti-American or anti-Polonia article on the who-the-hell-knows-who-controls-and-pays-to-get-us-fighting-with-each-other website is this: Stop being a tool!