William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-08-01 / 8. szám
preparation of food is not winning over any new faces. Some organizations have had a history of cutting corners and inflating prices when it comes to food (thankfully, William Penn Association is not one of them), and that needs to stop. Sure, you may save a can or two of paprika over the course of a year. But what do you lose in quality? Let's not forget that people come for the food but stay for the culture, and Hungarian food is legendary (when done correctly). While some may think that our Hungarian tempers and stubbornness are humorous or endearing qualities, within the community they are a burden and a curse. Over the years, I have seen many members of one organization or another scale back their efforts or quit entirely because of arguments and disagreements with others. The saddest part in all of this is that it continues to this day. I could understand back in the earlier days, when there were large Hungarian communities and enclaves, where the Magyars were all densely packed together. Then, it would be natural, as in any community, for rivalries to form, gossip to be spread and disagreements to be made public. Now, for whatever reason, Hungarians still bicker and still argue. If there is a personal reason for it, fine, but if it affects the club or its operations, then it is time to bury the hatchet. There is, sadly, a greater tragedy in all of this. In the course of my academic research for my Local History seminar, I found an article in the East European Quar-Let's hear your take Let me know how you enjoy my thoughts and views on growing up Hungarian Style. If you have any questions or comments about me or my column, please email me at: SilverKingl937@yahoo.com, or drop me a letter in care of the William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Tibor s Take terly (a historical, academic, peer-reviewed journal) entitled, "A Decade of Bedlam: Hungarian-American Emigres Versus the Muscovites, 1945-1955," written by Judith Fai-Podlipnik. This article is damning evidence, and, unfortunately, it supports my stance on the issue. Yet, unlike now, where the disagreements are over cooking, back in the Post-War period, factionalism of the Hungarian-Americans resulted in a failed attempt to free their homeland from the Soviet Union, especially during the pivotal years between 1945 to 1948. U.S. State Department documents referenced in the article show that these differences between Hungarian émigrés in America were not due to underlying ideological differences but rather resulted from petty power struggles among ambitious people seeking positions in Hungarian organizations. So, there it is. Not only does our factionalism and divisiveness curse us today, as we struggle to retain and rebuild our heritage, but it has, in a very ugly sense, contributed to the inability of the United States and its allies to formulate and act on a policy relating to Hungary. Simply put, could the horrors of Soviet occupation been avoided (or severely lessened) if the Hungarian-Americans had united? Maybe not, but there was not much of an attempt, besides some lip service, and as we all know, talk is cheap. Where does this leave the American-Hungarians of today? After all, there are many times when two Hungarian organizations will plan separate events for the same weekend, forcing people to choose between two equally enticing Magyar venues and splitting in half the number attending each. This sort of thing needs to end. Until it does, the Hungarians will continue to be divided, and like in the post-war period, unable to fulfill their strategic objectives. To be continued next issue. Éljen a Magyar! Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a graduate of Cleveland State University. He serves as host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WK.TL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. William Penn Life 0 August 2011 0 9
