Close Menu
    How will people interpret "Freedom"
    Poland

    How will people interpret “Freedom”


    At the end of WWII, my grandfather was on Eisenhower’s staff as liaison officer to the Polish Army Second Core. He earned many awards for his service during this time, including this plaque from (I think) a local Polish organization. I would love to get Freedom as a small tattoo to honor my grandfather and Polish heritage. However, it seems this might also have a far right meaning, which I don’t really want. Will it come off like that?

    https://i.redd.it/5dx1s1y703pg1.jpeg

    Posted by thelimitexists

    View 19 Comments

    19 Comments

    1. 5thhorseman_ on

      The word itself has no specific connotations. That, unfortunately, also means that by itself it’s meaningless and doesn’t really do what you want.

      If you want something that actually resonates with history try [“Za wolność naszą i waszą”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_our_freedom_and_yours) or “My nie błagamy o wolność, my o nią walczymy”, which you could shorten to “Nie błagamy o wolność” (“we do not beg for freedom”)

    2. ProxPxD on

      I think “wolność” has no negative connotation. It’s not a far-right thing. I think it’s generally a value that’s really high for Poles regardless of political affiliation. It also seems rooted to our culture and history

    5. fdmAlchemist on

      A pole here, for us Wolność is not some old concept of our grandfathers, WWII ended in 1945 but us, we were forced to fight for another 40 years for our freedom, only after 1989 we see ourselves as free and independent.
      there are a few short movies on yt that will give you a bit more context.
      IPNtv: The Unconquered
      This Country Disappeared 8 TIMES….

      and If you want to know from where the “We do not beg for freedom; we fight for it” comes from:
      Bloody foreigners. Untold Battle of Britain

    8. Under_Over_Thinker on

      Is “wolność” more about personal freedoms or independence as a whole country?

      When I think about the US, it’s definitely about personal freedoms and not having a (US) government that “tells you what (not) to do”.

    13. superraiden on

      Any basic word can be co-opted to mean anything to a movement.

      Just tie whatever values you want to it.

    15. PolishPaleAle on

      In your grandfather’s context, that plaque definitely used it as a term for a concept encompassing freedom from oppression, independence, and resistance against the yoke. “Wolność” is all of that, and more.

      “Wolność” means both freedom and liberty. It is the quality or circumstance that can be enjoyed both by individuals (“wolno mi” — I can, I am allowed to, I am in a position not to be inhibited; “jestem wolny” – I am free) and by societies or broader entities (such as nations and countries). Especially in this societal aspect, it is closely connected to the concept of independence or sovereignty (Polish terms being “niezależność,” “niezawisłość,” and “suwerenność”). Traditionally, it has been perceived as a core element and focal point of the Polish collective psyche. We have refused, time and again, to be erased from the face of the world as free people/nation/country. And we tend to value personal/individual freedom just as much, to the point of anarchy and not being overly expert in building a cohesive collectivist society on a long term basis (the “sum of individuals” thing, a libertarian problem).

      Hence the use on the right side of the political spectrum, with an appreciation for the mystified and glorified Polish fighters for freedom in ages past (the “avowed,” “unbroken,” and “accursed” soldiers resisting and struggling for a free Poland against all odds, those odds being German and Russian). The left side emphasizes the freedom/liberty of the individual more – such as the pro-choice “wolność” to decide. 

      In this regard, it is a politically used word but not a politically tainted one. It might be interpreted differently but it’s unlikely to be interpreted in a wrong sense at wrong time.

      // Edit: Wife says that for her, a “wolność” tattoo would present a clear equivalent to a “don’t tread on me” one (the rattlesnake thing) in a definite right wing kind of ink (“oh god, a yet another football hooligan with Polish eagle themed boxer shorts under his tracksuit”). She’s a leftist, while I like to think of myself as a pragmatic centrist… So, as you can see, opinions may differ within a single household.