He called us a reader, a Świętoszów resident who wished to remain anonymous and who, in response to our Wednesday article (“There Is a Problem with Ukrainians in Osiecznica Municipality?”), stated that there is no problem with Ukrainian citizens. In his view, it is we Poles who are getting ourselves worked up.
The man told us that he himself had witnessed various kinds of spite directed at our eastern neighbors. For example, someone played music loudly (by Polish performers, no less!), and then blamed the Ukrainians.
Another example given by the reader concerns a barbecue area built by the Forest District near the Kwisa River. According to the resident of Osiecznica municipality, when Ukrainians appeared there, the area became… cleaner. The man saw foreign nationals cleaning up after their gatherings with his own eyes many times. (Poles, the reporting resident’s neighbors, also party, after all. And loudly. Then on Sunday—as if nothing had happened—they go to church.)
According to the reader, some people try to blame one nation for everything bad that happens in the area, thereby fueling a spiral of hatred. Yet, as the reporting resident emphasizes, at the beginning of the 21st century Poles left the country en masse to go abroad. And they are still leaving.
And, the man adds, a question arises: would our compatriots want residents of other countries to treat them like second-class people as well?
What do you think? We invite you to join the discussion.