Ponitka's Pierogi by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

The proud, but, slightly overproduced and overpriced uniforms, the sense that Ponitka believes this is “brand coherence” rather than a labor relations issue is a short lived fantasy. He is awakened after receiving a legal notice from both the EEOC and the DOJ, that what he is doing is discriminatory against all non-Poles. Wladyslaw, initially surprised, soon sees this as his and all Poles rights being violated. His Plan B is to sue the government, one of the current best ways to achieve the American Dream. He only wonders if Ben Crump is the right Civil Rights attorney for this particular case.

In any case he had a sign installed; just above seated eye level and just below the crucifix, which stated in tiny letters; “This community abhors discrimination of any kind. Our inclusive community values do not permit the ugly manifestations of racism, sexism, privilegism, or any other ism. That kind of garbage has no place here. Let it be known that we here at Ponitka’s Pierogi welcome those toothless. It is they who built this great nation. Our soft food seeks to engage those short of tooth, with products that require no biting, sucking sufficient.” He hoped that it would be not seen as a knockoff of the standard official statement issued by all authorities when confronted with charges of being meanies. Or maybe that was exactly how he wanted it to be seen, if seen at all. Whatever. His authentic Polish costuming plan was otherwise undeterred.

Ponitka thought; “The tone is perfect; ceremonial but not solemn, with just enough theatricality to suggest that a Polish artist personally choreographed the lineup.”

The older woman in the center; presumably Momma Ponitka herself, added that layer of supervisory pride, like she’s inspecting the troops before a dumpling deployment.