Mistrust and Suspicion, the result of freedom lost

Living in the US, we expect a level of privacy, freedom, and security.  We fight for INDEPENDENCE... personal, family, city, state, and country at different levels for everyone.  We even have a document created nearly 250 years ago stating our cause around this idea.  We don't always remember how truly precious are this independence and freedom.

In Poland, a country that has existed as a recognized nation for the greater part of 1000 years (yes, it was founded as a country in the mid-to-late 900s), there is a lot of pride in the heritage and recent fights for freedoms the US has taken for granted.

Poland was the starting point for World Wars I and II, was ruled by the Soviets and Nazi governments during World War II at different times (Germany and Russia were allies before Hitler turned on Stalin, causing Russia to join the Allied country), then ruled in Communism by the Soviet party for 45 years.  The people learned that freedom is something you have to fight for and can never take for granted.

As in all situations, the recent history becomes distant.  Distant history seems less relevant.  Irrelevant history becomes legend.  Legendary history becomes forgotten.

The Poles who lived through the terrors of WWII and suffered through the Communist party's control know this as recent history.  The younger generation who grew up in Communism still understand how much worse was life during Communism, but they only experienced the horrors of WWII through the memories of family, so they are moving from recent to distant history... it will be years before WWII becomes legend and forgotten (as with the September 11th attack on the US, may this never be forgotten).

The people are justified maintaining mistrust and suspicion of everyone around them... neighbors, police, government, politicians (okay, maybe this is universal), and foreigners.  During WWII, all of these groups betrayed the people of Poland... even neighbors turned in friends out of fear for their own lives and the lives of their family.

Coworkers visiting Poland have commented on the stern, unhappy, and untrusting look of many people they see.  I was told that once game shows came to Poland, the contestants had to be trained to look happy that they were winning prizes and money... we see the people jumping and hollering on US game shows and think they must be a little crazy, but they are winning money and excited... the Poles were still suspicious.

I was also told that once the barriers are broken and friendship begins, the people are very warm, supportive, and engaging, but you would not know that by the general outward appearance of the people you pass on the street.

Decades of experiences and freedom lost lead to this cultural shift.

The US can learn from Polish history since US freedom has been mostly challenged from within.  When freedom is challenged, we debate, argue, legislate, but rarely truly have to FIGHT.  Poland lost independence during WWII and lost freedom to Communism, but they fought when standing up for freedom could mean death, they fought at the "round table" to gain an honest election to determine the future of their country, and they stood and were counted when the Solidarity party gained controlling positions within the government.

Everyone should keep a little mistrust and suspicion and remember to fight for freedom because it is not FREE, but do not let this keep you from enjoying the fruits of those freedoms otherwise it is in vain.