Why was the publication of this book so controversial in Poland?
Despite bringing attention to modern Polish audiences on the Jebwande incident, it also raised serious questions as to whether or not Gross' references were relevant to his points. Several of the testimonies that the book was based on, were claimed to be inaccurate as they came from pre-trial beatings. It was said to have no scholarly basis and did not deserve the hype as there had been other books similar over the fifty years since the incident.
The other half claimed this book was extremely important, and needed to be written. It brought attention to stereotypes and addressed them. It also made aware of the fact that the Polish were not innocent in this event. The book was interpreted in two ways; it was taken as a serious fact, and then criticized for being overtly inaccurate, or it was a blessing and much needed eye opener for coming to terms with community guilt and responsibility.
Good points, Eva!
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you mention disputes about the validity of his sources. I wonder how much of his writing was influenced by his approach to those sources, as well. He writes about an approach of believing them until they're proven untrue, essentially. Not that there aren't flaws in both approaches, but I wonder if his research would have been more thorough if he had worked to verify most of his sources.