The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-05-01 / 5. szám
A FEW WORDS FROM THE EDITOR The Hungarian World Federation recently reached out to Hungarians all over the world with an appeal for donations to help finance the cost of building a new home for the Hungarian National Theatre (Magyar Nemzeti Színház). The above organization was established to foster improved relations with all Hungarians living outside of Hungary. However, its appeal has sparked the emergence of a controversial issue which has yet to be resolved to the satisfaction of all and one which reveals deep-rooted convictions that are symptomatic of the divisiveness fracturing the solidarity of the American-Hungarian community in the United States. The heated “pros and cons” of this issue also reveal that some of us American-Hungarians are impaled on the sharp spike of a dilemma and that, instead of lifting ourselves off of it with the application of common sense and thus relieve the pain, seem determined to enjoy the agony and ecstacy of the self-inflicted experience. In no way does this publication advocate that you should, or should not, respond to the appeal mentioned. But, what disturbs us are some of the reasons given for NOT donating to the fund, for they are unrealistic and are in direct contradiction with the “nay sayers’” obvious interest in and dedication towards the preservation of our Hungarian Heritage. One simply cannot, on the one hand, be “gung ho” for Hungarianism while, on the other, be against the land and people from which it originated because of opposition to Hungary’s present form of government. It is an incongruity that can be overcome only with the acceptance of some hard facts. IT IS A HARD FACT that the United States has a special relationship with Hungary that transcends ideo-political differences. Consequently, when we voice opinions contrary to our own government’s policy, we are out-of-step with reality. That our government does have a high regard for Hungary was confirmed by Vice President George Bush when he arrived in Budapest on September 19,1983. “We in the United States,” he said, “are heartened by Hungary’s efforts to expand contacts, to foster tolerance, and to meet the commitments that bind both our countries . . . our relationships are a model for the rest of the world.” IT IS A HARD FACT that, whether we like it or not, there is nothing we can do to change Hungary’s system of government. IT IS A HARD FACT that a new generation has come of age in Hungary and, having been born and raised under her system of government, have very little desire for change. IT IS A HARD FACT that, if we are really sincere in our efforts to effect unity behind the fostering of our Hungarian Heritage, we have to swallow hard and better stop living in the past, but gain strength from it and try to build a united American- Hungarian course of action. Paul Pulitzer Managing Editor This section is produced for “The Eighth Hungarian Tribe” magazine by PULITZER-GOODMAN ASSOCIATES, INC., P.O. Box 2203, Union, New Jersey 07083 (Tel: 201 /964-8464). Managing Editor: Paul Pulitzer Co-Managing Editor: Roger B. Goodman Associate Editor (Features): John Eckenrod Associate Editor (Research): Harry G. Ladanye Advertising Manager (Central Jersey): Doris Hody Club News Editor: Frank Hidi Advertising Rates Available On Request. Subscribe to the “Eighth Hungarian Tribe." S15.00 a year. FROM THE MAILMAN Dear Mr. Pulitzer: One of your subscribers in the United States airmailed me a copy of The Eighth Hungarian Tribe magazine and we were delighted to get it and read it. It was like a message from home. I am going to tell my friends here all about your magazine and show it to them. I am sure that some of them are going to subscribe. Just let me know how much it will cost for us to get it every month by airmail. Eugene Vajda Zurich, Switzerland Dear Mr. Pulitzer: In one of your editorials you mentioned that your publication had made plans to regionalize its contents nationwide. However, I have yet to find anything in it about our activities out here in California where there are so many of us and where we do have many social, cultural, and educational programs going on. Michael Farkas Los Angeles, California Dear Mr. Pulitzer: I like your magazine a lot and would like to offer a suggestion. Is there anyway that you could give us more information about Hungary today? For instance, what about a series of stories on each of the countries of Hungary, or about where to go, what to do, and what to see in Budapest and other cities? Helen Molnár Atlantic City, N.J. Dear Mr. Pulitzer: I was in my dentist’s office recently and there I saw a copy of your magazine. I picked it up and read it while waiting for my dentist to be free. Frankly, I was really surprised. A Hungarian family magazine in English? What a great idea! And I wish you and everyone connected with this magazine success with it. I know it is tough, but stick with it. It will go. Frank Balogh Point Pleasant, N.J. Page 8 Eighth Hungarian Tribe
