W artykule dokonano próby analizy procesów asymilacji Polonii zamieszkującej Nowy Jork.
W tym celu przedstawiono wybrane czynniki wpływające na tempo oraz różnicowanie zjawiska
asymilacji nowojorskiej społeczności polonijnej. Przedstawiono genezę i rozwój tej grupy osób
oraz jej obecne rozmieszczenie i wielkość. Przedmiotem badań są również procesy naturalizacji
związane z przyjmowaniem amerykańskiego obywatelstwa, działalność instytucji i organizacji
polonijnych, a także posługiwanie się językiem polskim przez polonijną społeczność Nowego
Jorku oraz kultywowanie rodzimych tradycji.
The paper aims the analysis of assimilation processes of Polish community in New
York City. In order to study this complex problem it is necessary to characterize selected
factors influencing the pace of assimilation and its differentiation in New York's group
of Polish descent. The article presents an origins and development of Polish and Polish-
-American community as well as its current spatial concentration (residential pattern)
and total population in the city. The research also includes naturalization processes
associated with taking U.S. citizenship, activities of Polish institutions and organizations
and use of native language by group of Polish descent as well as the cultivation of native
traditions.
The first Poles immigrated from Poland in the seventeenth century to the Dutch
colony, at that time – the New Netherlands and to New Amsterdam as the center of the
province. However, the biggest wave of immigration from the Polish lands was related
to the socio – economic intense inflow at the turn of twentieth century.
Currently, New York's Polish community is made up of various waves of immigrations.
However, the most significant group of Polish immigrants is that from the last
two decades. Thus, Polish community in New York can be defined as a relatively young,
which mainly emigrated from Poland in the nineties last century.
According to the 2009 American Community Survey , there is about 243,000 people
of Polish descent in New York. This group includes both Polish Americans (people born
with American citizenship in the United States), as well as Polish immigrants with Polish
or American citizenship. Most people with Polish ancestry live in Brooklyn
neighborhoods (Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Borough Park, Park Slope, Midwood). The
Queens community of Polish descent is mostly located in Rigdewood, Maspeth, Middle
Village, Bayside, Bellerose, Floral Park. In Manhattan, Polish community is more
dispersed and people with Polish ancestry live mainly in East Village, the Upper West
Side and Yorkville (so-called Little Poland). Based on the residential patterns of the Polish community in New York and the
spatial concentration of various ethnic organizations and institutions (churches, Sunday
schools, associations, institutions, foundations, etc.) the author identifies four areas that
are characterized by high population density of the Polish ethnic group as well as the
presence of a number of Polish institutions. There are two areas in Brooklyn borough –
Greenpoint / Williamsburg, Park Slope and one in Queens – Ridgewood / Maspeth and
Manhattan – East Village.
Along with decreasing influx of Polish immigrants and their movements into new
communities (spatial dispersion) it can be expected to intensify the processes of
assimilation in this group. In addition, it can be observed that the number of naturalized
persons is gradually increasing. Another indicator of assimilation advancement might be
the attainment of English-proficiency. The greater the level of English-language skills,
the higher the chance for educational and employment achievement. A large part of the
Polish community in New York (64% of this group) uses only English. Polish language
is used mainly by generations of immigrants living primarily in Brooklyn (Greenpoint)
and Queens borough (Ridgewood).
Among different Polish organizations and institutions the most important is Polish
parish and church which cares for the traditional customs, celebrating Polish Christmas
and other holidays. Many Polish parishes in New York City also formed schools (called
Sunday schools) which are an important factor in delaying the processes of assimilation.