Magyar Egyház, 1972 (51. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1972-11-01 / 11. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 5 AN APPRAISAL OF THE HUNGARIAN CULTURAL SITUATION As Hungarian-American life enters its most crucial period, many articles have appeared about the general cultural situation. Some writers claim that an unique and distinctive Hungarian cultural ideal can be attained apart from the use of the Hungarian language. I am convinced that these individuals are wrong. My reasons for disagreeing with them are as follows: 1. No cultural heritage can survive without a language of its own. The Irish and the Jews have discovered that the exclusive use of any language other than their own leads to absorption and assimilation. Before the advent of Naziism, American and British Jews attempted to become an integral part of their respective cultures. The lessons of the Hitler era were recognized by them to mean that their survival as an unique entity depended on the assertion of their individuality, not their willingness to become part of the greater whole. The Irish now find themselves in a similar position. While using the language of their greatest enemy they fight to regain full control of their primeval land. 2. Failure to retain our language is tantamount to denying the validity of our historic past. Those who imagine that a great culture can be transmitted tlirough its folk customs or cuisine are simply deceiving themselves. If we really believe that Hungarian culture can he summarized by a combination of csárdás, paprikás and peasant costumes, we place ourselves into the position of the American Negroes who were long viewed by many as the shiftless porkchop eating denizens of Catfish Row! The Black Revolution is essentially nothing more than an attempt to teach white America that not all black Americans are to be categorized by the cliches of the past. 3. If we honestly believe that Hungarian culture lias a relevant message for this day and age, we must recognize once and for all that Hungarian culture is based on the language of the Hungarian people. This language was the vehicle through which the great minds of the nation wrestled with ideas. This language was the bearer of a tradition of freedom and individual rights in the face of centuries of ruthless oppression. Is it not tragic to find that a language that was retained by a brave people in spite of continuing oppression is now so easily surrendered? In essence, I am stating that the loss of the Hungarian language will soon mean the total loss of Hungarian values. The task of keeping this language alive is the responsibility of each and every Hungarian church, social organization and fraternal unit. All must share fully in this work. Public and private universities WILL teach Hungarian if students will forcefully let the administrators know of their desire to study in this area. America’s largest single ethnic group, the German, has almost lost its identity. Is it not interesting to find that the Armenians, Jews and Greeks have not? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that these groups, though small in number, have retained a sense of their own identity and are totally unwilling to sacrifice their distinctive heritage for the dubious honor of being lost in the crowd. Charles Darocy Jesus Blessing the Children. Mk. 10:13-16. MAGYAR CHURCH
