The Eighth Tribe, 1974 (1. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)
1974-11-01 / 6. szám
November, 1974 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page Nine fessional teams employed a conventional style of place kicker, but Pete and Charles Gogolak (who are Americans with Hungarian backgrounds) have had great success as soccer-style kickers. Nowadays, many more “pro” teams have this type of kicker; this kind of kicking style is picking up in popularity and can be said to be due to Pete Gogolak’s early success in the National Football League in this country. In addition, Joe Namath, as most people know, is probably the greatest football quarterback the game has ever seen, and he too is of Hungarian descent. He grew up in a small Pennsylvania town and went on to the University of Alabama, where he caught the “pro” scout’s attention because he was so good at football techniques. The New York Jets have since acquired him, and his skill at throwing a football is unmatched by any other individual. Wherever he goes people recognize him right away for his talents, charisma, interests and activities in which he has been involved. One other Hungarian American who has made a notable contribution and a name for himself is Larry Csonka — a professional football player for the Miami Dolphins. He was one of the leading ground gainers in the American Football Conference. He, along with his backfield partner, led Miami to the first undefeated, untied season ever recorded as well as being part of the Super Bowl championship. Though the contributions of these individuals mentioned just immediately above may not seem to some persons as high in accomplishments as compared to writers or artists, nevertheless they are great contributions in their particular fields and are considered artists in their own right in the realm of sports, which is part of the culture of most, if not all, societies. Nowadays, there seems to be a movement toward a better regard for ethnic cultures, which is different from what occurred apparently when early immigrants arrived here in America from Europe and elsewhere. Instead of forgetting the old ways and values, and “mixing into the melting-pot,” many individuals today are trying to establish their own identities through their cultural backgrounds. People are acknowledging their heritage, becoming proud of their past and don’t ignore, but instead, value their ethnic culture. Therefore, by becoming well-known and famous in various ways, more and more Hungarian Americans today are pointing a spotlight in focusing onto the nature of the Hungarian nation and personalities of its people, not only those living here in America but elsewhere throughout our world, thus helping to gain respect for all of them both in and out of the Homeland. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — I would very much like to subscribe to your magazine and support your efforts, as I hope the Hungarians of Pennsylvania will support my crusade of unity across this nation and worldwide. I will in the near future certainly take your magazine for its interesting facts and comments, although for me, your magazine places too much emphasis on religion. That in itself is commendable and worthwhile. But what the Hungarians of today need is to preserve in the strongest manner our heritage, our very survival, through “Unity” no matter what the religious persuasion the Hungarian people have adopted. I want the Hungarians to be united in one solid majority, instead of the hundreds of splinter groups that exist now and completely are status quo. I am Catholic by birth and agnostic by choice. Religion in any form will not help our people now. I am not against any form of religion, but I do know this, we Hungarians, here and throughout Europe cannot, and I repeat, cannot pray our way to unity or continued existance. That we must do ourselves, with our Hungarian souls and determination. If Steven the first is able to look down and see what his people have become (with a few exceptions, the last being the honored and heroic Hungarians of October of 1956 and those who resist today), I am sure that even the man he was, there are tears in the eyes of his soul. The Polish have great unity, the Germans have unity, etc. etc. Even the Ukrain’s have more togetherness than we in America and Canada have. Frankly I feel great sorrow and even greater shame for my people of North America. You talk about or mention Hungarians to people today and the only reply you get is “Oh yeah, Dracula came from somewhere around there, didn’t he?” A thousand years ago all of continental Europe had great respect for our national homeland. My aim and my goal is to get our self-satisfied, over protected and “so what” Hungarians some pride and respect for “who” they are and appreciate the greatest blood on earth flowing through their veins! You shall hear from me again— Jack Myers Hungarian Unity Movement Action Now Be H.U.M.A.N. Testvérek! * * * Editors Note: The Eighth Tribe’s aim is to bring closer to each other the Hungarian-Americans, and will support all efforts in this direction, but will not support any action if this is used for political purposes.
