Although one cannot prevent educated Poles from despising Polish Americans, I do insist serious research and understanding occur first. If, after coming to some informed understanding of American Polonia, Poles still feel some inner need to look down on us, so be it. There is, however, a depth and a richness to the Polish American experience which few, Polish or Polish American, are aware of. I would prefer this be of some benefit to the world at large rather than discarded a priori. Polish Americans need neither conform to mainstream American nor mainstream Polish cultural forms.
Ethnic groups are publicly defamed when they lack power and influence.
African Americans used to be defamed in America. Then they fought for and won power and influence. As the current leadership in Polonia is not inclined to do anything to seriously change this situation and majority of ethnically conscious Polonia is politically inert on the matter of its own leadership, it is doubtful this will change for the foreseeable future. It is far easier to blame other ethnic groups, or the world at large, and write angry but useless letters to the editor than to commit to the hard work Polonia will need to do to correct the problem. One can only hope that through journals like SR, the few voices crying out in the wilderness will eventually have some effect.