The discussion of the topics below is the opinion of participants and the accuracy of their statements should be further researched Oral history interview of Joseph Alecks, former Comptroller of Massachusetts by an unnamed interviewer. Alecks gives his interpretations of the history of Polish immigration, assimilation, and discrimination in Boston. He describes the economic, social, and linguistic challenges that Polish immigrants faced. He notes the housing conditions and working conditions that Polish people experienced in Boston. Alecks discusses Polish religious life and churches that the Polish community attended within Boston. Alecks also reflects on his family’s personal immigration experience, including their travel and arrival conditions. He describes how he spent his time growing up in South Boston, including his work experience and his participation in Polish social clubs and holidays. He gives his opinion on how South Boston and Poland have changed since World War II, noting the various social, political, and cultural developments of the Cold War. Alecks concludes by sharing his views on teaching Polish history, assimilation, and ethnic consciousness in the present day. Other topics mentioned include St. Botolph’s Street, Malcolm Park, Revolutionary War, World War I, The Great Depression, Slaughterhouse factories, Sugar house factories, U.S Sugar Company, Hunts Village foundry, Cleaning women, Gdynia, Poland, Zakopane, Poland, Warsaw, Poland, Białystok, Poland, World War II, Russian Army, Irish immigration, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, Dyngus Day, Święconka, H.P. Hood & Company, Concord, Mass., Dorchester, Mass., Polish parochial school, St. Mary’s Church, Polish Young Men’s Club, Iron Curtain, Josef Stalin, Cold War, Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Polish United Workers Party, Madame Curie, Nicolaus Copernicus, Casimir Pulaski, Kosciuszko Circle, Governor Endicott Howard Peabody, Mayor James Michael Curley.
