Linkage

The passing and tribute to Stan Musial in January prompted a Pondering Pole question, not appropriate then, but appropriate now. If Stan was so popular, admired, and respected, why isn’t Poland? It should follow that if you thought so highly of someone, and that person comes from a place, wouldn’t you think the place had to be special?

Not by everyone of course but you have to admit, most Americans when the words Poland or Polish are spoken don’t get the kind of reaction and respect that, let’s say, Italy, Mexico, Ireland, England, Russia, or Israel get when they are mentioned. I could list famous sports figures with backgrounds from those countries whose temperament and character compares to Stan, Mike Krzyzewski, or Jim Furyk, and the relation of the person to the place would be different and generally more positive.

So there is good linkage and bad linkage. What determines the status of the linkage? Pondering Pole theory: there is linkage based upon at least one defining factor that influences and “convinces” a person that upon hearing the word will register a positive response. I picked these countries because they signify three different linkage types. The first is “in your face,” the second is “the big dude,” and the third group is the “small dude with the big dude attitude.” All of the six countries have various degrees of beautiful countryside, cuisine, famous places, and notable histories. How we think of them varies.

 

Italy in most respects has it all: the great history, a beautiful countryside, and famous places. Mexico has beautiful beaches and renowned archeological sites but the thing that set both of these countries apart and shines most favorably with Americans is the food. It is a tangible and direct path, an absolutely “in your face” impression of these two nations and the reinforcement occurs millions of times a day, all over the country. Not sure how many pizzas and tacos are consumed each day but I bet it is a lot. Tummy feels good and so does the brain when it comes to Italy and Mexico.

Russia and England have a number of famous places and are steeped in history but certainly don’t have the reference to food as strongly as Italy and Mexico have. The defining factor of these two countries is the powerful reputation they carry.  The “big dude” with big shoulders like the largest kid in the class: you automatically respected him and wouldn’t say anything bad about him because you didn’t want to get beat up. Sad, I guess, but true.

In the final category, two small nations, Ireland and Israel are the most intriguing. Both countries have some interesting and famous historical sites but they also have tricky weather and non-standard topography. Ireland is often rainy and cold and Israel sits in the middle of a desert. Neither can boast a cuisine that is comparable to the variety and taste of Italian or Mexican. Neither has the power or reputation that England or Russia exudes. Yet, I find that the Irish and the Jewish as well as the non-Irish and non-Jewish are able to speak freely and confidently in near glowing terms about these two countries. Why so glowing?  

It is all about will for these two nations. Simply put, the Irish and Jewish do not tolerate any negativity from those outside the group and they also promote and market themselves well. They condition those around them to think highly of their ancestral land. I hear Irish or Jewish comedians laugh about themselves and their culture, but I don’t hear too many others “kid” them about being Irish or Jewish or being stupid mainly because they do not allow it.   

So, what linkage category do we fall into?  Can the Poles get linkage from the food?  Probably not although I think the jury is still out and we have nothing to be ashamed of in this area. Can Poles get linkage with English power and Russian reputation? Historically the Poles have had their empires and domineering moments but nothing as sustained and on par with those two giants, or China, Germany, Spain, or Persia for that matter. Our option is to create connections between people and place based on the Irish and Israeli model.

 

Every country’s music, dance, food, history, and land will have some credibility and specialness and beauty. The grace and blessings that God has bestowed on the Polish people has been very generous. On balance the people are good and decent and so is where they came from. We can sit around like the salesmen in David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross and hope someone gives us the “good leads” or we can stand up and get the positive linkage ourselves. Write the radio station, correct the speaker, or bring some delicious pastry to the Easter dinner and tell the folks straight up, well, this is Polish.

Brought me to tears.

Chris Botti is a world renown jazz trumpet player and he performed a concert at Powell Symphony Hall in midtown St.Louis February 23rd. Chris’s mean horn playing, combined with his outstanding accompanying band members, the special guests, Powell’s orchestral background, along with the excellent acoustics made for a spectacularly satisfying evening. Then came the linkage.

Towards the end of the first half of the concert, Chris went into a short intro as he did with all of the works played that night. He spoke about the fourteen consecutive visits the band had made to Poland and how much the Poles were enamored with jazz. Then he described his reasoning behind the next piece, his interpretative take on Frederick Chopin’s Prelude in C Minor. 

Then came the tears. The gentle and sincere comments about Poland and the glorious jazz rendition of classical Chopin was a wonderful testament to the composer and to the Polish people and made my eyes well up. That was a connection between person and place, big time, and with a big heart. Linkage, yes, and dzienkuje bardzo Chris.

Polish or not?

Chris Botti, jazz trumpeter. His father’s ethnic background is Italian and his mother was a classical pianist. Ding, ding, ding!  His mother’s ethnic background is not identified in at least two biographical sources for Chris. Botti obviously has a soft spot in his heart for Poland. Son loves Poland and mom loves piano. Is Mrs. Botti Polish?

One final thought. In a distant past issue of the Pondering Pole, I suggested that a Polish American musician rework some of our beautiful folk tunes with jazz sounds and interpretation. How about some of the beautiful Easter songs with jazz interpretation ala Chris Botti?

I want to wish all of the Polish American Journal readers a happy and blessed Easter, Wesolego, Alleluja! If you have a thought about this month’s topic, an answer to the question, a question of your own, or have interesting facts to share, contact me at: Edward Poniewaz, 6432 Marmaduke Avenue, St. Louis , MO 63139 ; eMail alinabrig@yahoo.com.

N.B. If you send eMail, reference the Polish American Journal or the Pondering Pole in the subject line. I will not open an eMail if I do not recognize the subject or the sender.