William Penn Life, 2012 (47. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-01-01 / 1. szám
Tibor's Take ful conversations with each. Almost all of those persons were either parents or grandparents. The main question posed to me was: "How do you, your brother and your sister stay so American-Hungarian?" My answer to them was actually two-fold. First, to the part of us being so Hungarian. It is not that I am Hungarian first and American second, but quite the opposite. My background and belief is 98 percent of being an American. Yes, I want to visit Hungary and go to the villages where my great grandparents came from. I would love to see the churches where they were baptized. It would be an inspiration to see the homes where each grew up. It would be wonderful to embrace the cousins I have never met. But, I don't think I would want to live there instead of America. For the sake of brevity, my answer for wanting to live and be an American is the freedom I have and just how good it is here. Sure, there can be improvements. There are very few perfect circumstances in life. But, America offers all of us the ability to skirt around the obstacles and achieve. Secondly, just as my great-grandparents, Mihály and Menci Kadi Cseh, learned upon arriving in New York City in 1913, the road to success is difficult, but not impossible to travel successfully. Many Magyar immigrants to America wanted to return home once their fortune was earned. But, when all was said and done, most chose to stay here. It was at that juncture in time that my predecessors decided that their children would be raised to be American first. Then a strong set of lessons followed on how to become a proud Magyar. I credit them for establising the foundation of my American-Hungarian upbringing. The best analogy to being raised as American first and Hungarian second is comparing it to the creation of Hungarian goulash. (My apologies to Chefs Béla and Vilmos, but the spelling discrepencies are intended and part of the parable I am presenting.) When my family makes gulyás, we utilize ingredients from America. Other than the Szeged paprika, all the ingredients we use are grown and harvested in the U.S.A. If we combine and heat the ingredients correctly, a great goulash is created. If the Magyar paprika is added the wrong time, burnt or used as a garnish and not simmered in the meat and fat, the culinary creation is a mere stew and nothing more. When it comes to goulash, only a practicing Hungarian knows if it is genuine. A palate not exposed to the distinct explosion of flavor that true Magyar paprika imparts will simply identify the taste sensation as "spicy" or even "hot." A non-Hungarian would have to be versed to just what the taste a true Hungarian gulyás exhibits. Let's look at this another way. I enjoy country and western music. I play Johnny Cash while driving my Ford Mustang. But, at certain times, I listen to Hungarian music. Sometimes it is Frank Borisz, Joe Jeromos, Alex Udvary or George Bátyi. What I listen to depends on my mood and the circumstance. For my classes at the John Marshall School of Law, I have little reason to identify myself as Hungarian. On the other hand, I proudly wore red, white and green at the Lake County Captains' "Hungarian Night" last July. I love a Double Stacker and fries. Other times, I crave veal paprikás made by Ida at the Hungarian Business and Tradesman Club in Maple Heights, Ohio. I communicate in English. I know some Hungarian, but am not proficient in it. Even when I attend Hungarian functions and events, my conversations are primarily in English with perhaps a few Magyar words interspersed. My old high school lettermen jacket is emblazoned with football, debate, National Honor Society and Latin club patches. On my right sleeve is a three-inch by fourinch patch with the Hungarian Coat of Arms. There is no writing on the insignia to identify it as Hungarian. Only a person knowledgeable about Hungary would be aware of the significance of the patch. I never want to be too pushy in regards to my ancestry and ethnic pride. I do not want others to feel that I am trying to invade their territory like so many other nationalities often times do. If a person is truly interested in what my ethnic background is, they will ask in a sincere way. I guess what I am trying to say is: Tip your hand slightly about being a American-Magyar; when it comes to politics, religion or ethnicity, no one wants to be forced to experience it. **************************************** One more thought on being raised Hungarian-American....To you parents and grandparents, random but consistent indoctrination—starting in early childhood-adds up to making a young person an American Hungarian. Don't expect a 12 year old to cooperate when you try to teach them something about Hungarian culture if you have not been teaching the child about the culture since her or she was a toddler. Remember, a child needs only one teacher to become a proud American-Magyar. Just as with making gulyás, it is the timing and the subtle addition of the right Hungarian ingredients that transforms a common dish into a savory, Hungarian delight. / Éljen a Magyar! Tibor II Tibor Check Jr. is a member of Branch 28 Youngstown, Ohio, and a student at the John Marshall School of Law. He serves as a host of the “Souvenirs of Hungary” weekly radio show broadcast on WKTL-90.7 FM in Struthers, Ohio. 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. William Penn Life ° January 2012 0 7
