The Need for Modernization of the National and Grassroots Infrastructure of the Croatian-American Community
Luka Misetic
The future of the Croatian-American community lies, obviously, in its youth. The concept of the term “Croatian-American Youth,” however, encompasses a broad range of people who come from diverse backgrounds. They come from all class levels, they range in different ages, they come from various educational backgrounds, and they come from different upbringings depending upon the strength of the Croatian community from which they come. Despite this diversity, however, the “Croatian-American Youth” are remarkably consistent in their answers and views of the Croatian American community, and their vision of our community in the 21st Century.
In an informal, unscientific internet survey of Croatian-American youth, ten questions were posed. These questions were as follows:
1. How do you see the present general situation among Croatians in the USA?
2. How do you see the future of the Croatian American Community in the USA?
3. How do you see the role of your generation in the present/future Croatian community in the USA?
4. How much is your generation really interested in preserving the Croatian identity in this country?
5. How did the independence of Croatia affect your generation?
6. What forces have had the greatest impact upon your Croatianism?
7. How do you perceive the leading figures among the Croatians in the USA at the present time?
8. If you visited Croatia in recent times, how do you perceive the general situation in Croatia?
9. Would you consider going to Croatia to live and work permanently?
10. What do you think, as an American Croatian, are the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the Croatians in general?
The results of this survey reveal that, in general, younger Croatian Americans have a strong attachment to their native land and wish to maintain as close a link as possible to their Croatian heritage. However, they also believe that our community is generally divided and lacks a sense of direction or purpose, especially with the achievement of Croatian independence and the end of the war. Almost all respondents felt that the community was filled with talented, educated and ambitious individuals who were dedicated to the strengthening of the Croatian American community, as well as to the development of an independent, democratic, free market Republic of Croatia. These resources, however, are being wasted because of the lack of organization within our community.
This paper will provide an overview of the results of the unscientific Internet poll. We received 36 completed responses, ranging from each coast of the United States and points scattered in between. The following answers were provided to our questioning:
What is the general state of the Croatian American Community?
Respondents generally feel that the community is less proactive than it was in the early 1990’s. They describe the situation as “fragmented and unorganized,” “lacking unity,” and lacking leadership. Overall, there is a sense that the community is slowly deteriorating, and to make matters worse, this mood is combined with an overall sense of resignation that nothing much will change in the future. There is a consensus that our community lacks leadership and organization. Respondents describe a once vibrant community that is now experiencing a broad sense of apathy and malaise. On the positive side, some respondents believe that the community is vibrant, and that the future is bright because of the increasing numbers of educated professionals in our ranks.
How does the youth see the future of the Croatian Community?
The overall majority of respondents felt that the Croatian community would become (or would continue to remain) fragmented, unorganized, and assimilated. Others said that it was too difficult to tell, and a minority felt that the community would “remain strong and tight-knit.” The view of most was that there was a distinct lack of leadership and impetus to bring about long term unity and build a solid foundation for the Croatian-American community. A minority of respondents felt that the future of the Croatian-American community involved a return to Croatia, either on a permanent basis or through some other direct involvement with the home country.
How do you see the role of your generation in the present/future Croatian community in the USA?
Responses ranged from the positive: “we are the cross-roads generation that will transform our community as a result of our education and job opportunities;” to the negative: “the Croatian- American youth will assimilate into American culture, and it will be up to new immigrants to continue the Croatian culture in the United States.” Most responses were in between those two extremes. There is a certain level of anxiety among the respondents because most do not know what the future holds for the Croatian-American community. A level of frustration underlies their views of the future. This frustration appears to be born of a combination of factors, but mostly because there is a sense that there is interest and passion for Croatia and all things Croatian among the youth, but there is also a certain resignation to the notion that Croatian-Americans are too disorganized, too divergent, and lacking in leadership to capitalize on the interest and passion that certainly exists in their respective communities.
How much is your generation really interested in preserving the Croatian identity in this country?
A significant majority of respondents answered that there is a strong interest in preserving Croatian identity in this country. Our respondents, however, were unable to determine exactly which elements within the Croatian community were most interested in preserving culture, nor were they able to determine why this interest was prevalent. Nevertheless, almost all of the respondents felt that there is an interest within the younger Croatian generations for maintaining their cultural identity. It is interesting to note, however, the observations of some respondents who felt that this interest is developed on an individual by individual or family by family basis, and not as a result of the efforts of the Croatian community as a whole.
How did the independence of Croatia affect your generation?
This question evoked the most passionate answers among our respondents. All of the respondents felt that the achievement of Croatian independence was a turning point in their lives. A significant number, for example, recalled childhood days when classmates and others had no idea what Croatia or a Croatian was. Thus, these respondents felt that when Croatian independence was achieved, it was not only a national turning point, but a personal vindication which granted them co-equal standing with other ethnic groups and individuals. The essence of the responses was that Croatian independence increased their personal pride and self-esteem.
Other positive views were that the drive for Croatia’s independence was a tremendous unifying force that served as a catalyst for social c
ohesion within our community. All of the respondents report with pride at the efforts of their own local Croatian community during 1991-95, when their communities provided material, financial and political support to Croatia in its struggle for independence.
The negative, however, of this period of social cohesion is that the spirit of cohesion and progress deflated like a balloon after the struggle for independence was completed. The aftermath of the achievement of independence is that the community is left without a unifying goal. The energy of the early 90’s has dissipated.
An interesting trend was the conclusion by some respondents that Croatian independence would have long term benefits for the maintenance of Croatian culture because more and more people would be traveling to or working in Croatia. The ties with the mother country will be stronger than in the pre-independence period, and as a result the Croatian-American community will be stronger and our culture more likely to be preserved.
What forces have had the greatest impact upon your Croatianism?
Our respondents offered both positive and negative influences on their “Croatianism.” Most, if not all, mentioned their parents as the primary source of their Croatian identity. The Church was a close second in terms of Croatian influence. Other positive influences on Croatian identity included: Croatian independence, the war for independence, more travel to Croatia, cultural/folklore groups.
There were not many “negative influences” on our respondents’ Croatianism. Some negatives, however, included: disharmony with the Croatian community, too much politics associated with being Croatian, and disappointment with the Croatians in Croatia.
How do you perceive the leading figures among the Croatians in the USA at the present time?
Unfortunately, most of our respondents could not name a single leader within the Croatian- American community. Those that were mentioned included Melchior Masina, President of the Croatian Catholic Union; Anthony Peraica, former President of the Croatian American Association; Bernard Luketich, President of the Croatian Fraternal Union; and Dr. Ante Cuvalo, professor at Joliet Community College. Many respondents simply stated that the leadership of the Croatian-American community was comprised exclusively of older men, mostly first generation, and that there were no leaders within the younger generation.
The inability to provide answers to this question reveals the fundamental frustration of the Croatian youth: the desire to capitalize on the passion for Croatia, but the lack of any recognizable leadership or institutions through which to organize.
If you visited Croatia in recent times, how do you perceive the general situation in Croatia?
Our respondents provided their answers in 1999, before the recent election and change in government in Croatia. Nevertheless, their answers provide insight into the perception of the Croatian-American youth regarding the situation in Croatia.
All of our respondents feel that Croatia is a country of significant beauty and natural resources and that it has all the elements necessary to be a successful and prosperous nation. This includes the people, whom our respondents view as warm and friendly and the backbone of Croatia.
Our respondents, however, view the overall situation in Croatia as bleak. Politically in 1999, our respondents felt that too much power had been concentrated in too few people and that this was not healthy for Croatia. The economic situation was viewed as depressing and bleak, and many commented that their relatives are struggling under these difficult economic conditions.
Would you consider going to Croatia to live and work permanently?
On the positive side, almost all of our respondents indicated that they would consider returning to Croatia to live and work permanently. The reason for this is summed up by one person: “When I am in Croatia, I just get the sense that this is where I belong.” Most indicated that they love Croatia, its natural beauty and the way of life.
On the negative side, however, most respondents indicated that they would in fact not return to Croatia, even though they would consider it. The reason boils down to one reason only: the economy and the lack of opportunity. Our respondents reasoned that they did not believe that opportunities existed for them. They believed that even if they could obtain employment, they were not sure that they would receive paychecks. The standard of living is much lower than here in the United States, and our respondents were unwilling to lower their standard of living significantly.
Most of the respondents perceived the situation in Croatia in 1999 as politically and economically bleak, and therefore did not believe that they would return permanently to Croatia in the near future.
What do you think, as an American Croatian, are the greatest strengths and weaknesses of the Croatians in general?
The greatest strengths of the Croatian community, according to our respondents, were: hard- working people, united, proud, strong family bonds, determined, intelligent, honest.
The greatest weaknesses of Croatians in general were: disunited, unmotivated (due to the end of the war), stubborn, impatient, lack of professional role models and leaders, too political. Others complained that Croatians in Croatia had become too lazy as a result of the communist system.
It is interesting to note that our respondents were divided almost evenly as to whether the trait of “unity” was a strength or a weakness of Croatians in general.
Conclusion
The informal internet survey reveals that the Croatian American youth generally is very interested in maintaining its cultural identity and in helping Croatia prosper. Nevertheless, there is an overall frustration with the lack of leadership and organization within the Croatian-American community. The younger generation is crying out for the establishment of a new “social infrastructure,” that will unite the younger generation and the community as a whole.
Much of the social infrastructure established over the last 50 years was designed to cater to the needs of either the post-World War II generation or of the immigrant generations of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Thus, churches, cultural centers and fraternal organizations were built for, and are currently dominated by, the over-40 age group. Needless to say, this has left many in the under- 40 crowd feeling left out, or alternatively feeling that the existing social infrastructure does not address the needs of a generation which is not blue collar, like their parents, but more likely employed in a profession. This younger generation feels that their talents are underutilized in the current social infrastructure. Furthermore, the current social infrastructure has built into it political and social divisiveness that is a remnant of earlier decades, and which often has nothing to do with the younger generation. The fact that these feuds continue serves to drive away a younger generation which wishes to help, but does not wish to immerse itself in the squabbles of the past.
What is needed is a new, dynamic leadership that will capitalize on the energy, edu
cation and skill of the younger generation and provide new clubs or organizations (or new leadership in existing clubs or organizations) to modernize our community and take advantage of the tremendous resources that exist in the Croatian Youth, as well as the tremendous love for Croatia that our Croatian Youth possesses.