Polish districts in US cities

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Chicago
www.onet.pl/turystyka/onetpodroze/usa-w-chicago-powoli-znika-dawne-jackowo/0temm9e,07640b54


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The former Jackowo is slowly disappearing in Chicago
In the Polish district of Chicago, commonly known as Jackow, instead of Polish confectioneries, souvenir shops from Poland or travel agencies, tattoo studios, pet shops and popular clubs are now being opened like mushrooms after the rain. The former Polish businesses, such as the Czerwony Jabłuszko restaurant, are replaced by residential buildings, and where the Polish grocery store used to be, there is now a bowling alley.

Andrzej Dobrowolski
19.5 thousand

December 25, 2021, 07:52


Jackowo has been referred to as a historic Polish district for at least 20 years. The Polish community lived there in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s of the 20th century.
There were Polish clubs, shops, businesses, Polish radio and television
For 10 years, Jackowo has been undergoing a process of gentrification
According to the journalist Małgorzata Ptaszyńska-Kulujian, most Polish parishes are teeming with life, and Polish businesses are moving with the times
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There are still signs of Polishness in the Avondale district , but in recent years, due to the progressive gentrification, it has changed its character , argues journalist Małgorzata Ptaszyńska-Kulujian.


A problematic passenger on a Chicago plane. He wasn't even listening to the captain
"Jackowo has been referred to as the historic Polish district for at least 20 years . Polonia lived there in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s of the 20th century. Today, Avondale still has Polish churches, two Polish shops, a restaurant Old Polish and a parcel shipping office, but the language most often heard on the street is English " - tells PAP the journalist, who is also the administrator of the Cook County courts.

He points out that Polish clubs, shops, businesses, Polish radio and television operated there . Since the beginning of the 21st century, the district has changed its character . It has become an ethnically diverse place where immigrants from Latin America, the Philippines and Americans live alongside immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe .

The Polish House on W. George Street in the Avondale district, 1992.The Polish House on W. George Street in the Avondale district, 1992 - Janusz Mazur / PAP
The perfect investment

"In 2012 Jackowo (...) was recognized as the best place to invest. Some Internet portals even described it as one of the most attractive in America (...). For 10 years Jackowo has been undergoing a process of gentrification. Many investors and developers are building in Avondale flats that sell very quickly, "noted Ptaszyńska-Kulujian, a PhD student at National Louis University (NLU).

In her opinion, Avondale's popularity is primarily influenced by its location close to the center of Chicago and very good communication solutions - city train and two suburban train lines. Convenient access is also facilitated by the location of the district along one of the main streets of the city, Milwaukee Street.

On the other hand, the Polish community is moving to the suburbs - mainly in the north-west of the city (such as Des Plaines, Norridge, Harwood Heights, Park Ridge, Niles, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect), and in the south-west (Burbank, Justice and Bridgeview).


Is this the end of an era? Polish parishes are doing great
Ptaszyńska-Kulujian does not give an unambiguous answer.

"The pessimist will say - of course, this is the end! The optimist will say - no, this is a new, different beginning; Jackowo is developing, not as a dominant Polish district, but as a multicultural one , where local organizations work well, the Cook County Court of Restorative Justice, where they work and provide assistance. Poles as volunteers. The Polish school at St. Jacek's parish is still operating. There is much to be proud of! The parish community is still active "- he assures.

In her opinion, most Polish parishes are teeming with life. They are as resilient as the people who belong to them.

"People make up the Church. The person of the parish priest is also very important, but the condition of the parish is mainly determined by the faithful who participate in holy masses and parish groups. The Archdiocese of Chicago often connects parishes due to the decline in attendance or building maintenance costs. Thanks to the faithful, most Polish parishes are but in good shape "- emphasizes Ptaszyńska-Kulujian.

As an example, he gives the parish of St. Jack, with the Cook County Restorative Justice Community Court. There is a school there, many parish groups, and neighborhood associations organize their meetings in parish buildings.

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Polish businesses move with the times
They develop in accordance with the needs of customers, and many of those run by Poles in the Chicago agglomeration operate successfully on the American market.

The Pole argues that the Polish mass media very quickly began to use the opportunities offered by the Internet and social media. Many Polish diaspora portals have been created , you can listen to any Polish radio station or subscribe to a newspaper via the Internet.

The journalist is convinced that Polish youth is by no means breaking away from their roots. "At present , ethnicity is in fashion - young Americans of Polish origin are proud of their origin, work in Polish clubs at American universities, dance in Polish groups, pass Polish baccalaureate and receive scholarships from Polish organizations" - she enumerates.

He attributes the changes observed in Chicago not only to the passing away of older generations, but to the spirit of the times.

"Today, when many people work remotely from home, it doesn't matter where you live. People like to have bigger houses and be closer to nature, they are tired of traffic jams on the streets and highways, high prices, high taxes in Chicago, rising crime rates, and that's very has a negative impact on the quality of life "- he notes.

The Polish community in Chicago moves to other states, often to Colorado, Arizona, Florida and Texas.

Source:
PAP
Date Created: December 25, 2021, 07:52