You don’t know me. We will more than likely never meet. So why then am I so concerned about things said by people I have not even met?

Heres why. I have noticed that in our society today people are very intolerant of certain stereo types yet others are allowed to go on unchecked and unchallenged. This must change. Who decides what is OK and unacceptable. If I make a generalization about African American Culture than I am a racist in the same breath If I make an Irish Joke I am a comedian. Why is one better than the other?

Let me take you back further than you were expecting when you began reading this article. In the early years of our fine country there was a famine in Ireland. People were coming here to escape starvation and persecution from the crown. They traveled far some selling everything they owned just to make the journey across the sea. Many did not survive the 8 month boat trip to New York and Boston. Those that survived were instantly met with discrimination and hate. Then when Civil War broke out the men were immediately forced to serve in Irish Brigades immediately upon stepping off the boat.

By the middle of the Civil War more than 10,000 Irish a day were arriving by boat. The men were pressed into military service separated from their wives, children and mothers. More Irish Soldiers died in the civil war than willing volunteers.

After the civil war it was common place to find signs in windows saying “Irish Need Not Apply” Words like Mic and Paddy are not funny the came into existence at this time as insults and to this day they are still just insults.

We have struggled and fought to claw out a piece of this country for our people and still are we are known for is green beer and folklore. We are not all alcoholics we do not all eat corn beef and cabbage and we don’t greet everyone by saying top o the mornin to ya. Most Irish don’t even drink green beer. Corn beef is an American dish not an Irish one. Not to mention the entire Month of March is Irish American Heritage Month not just one day.

So where am I going with this your probably asking. Think of this the next time you tell a joke that starts with anything to do with Ireland or her People. Think about who is around you and wonder…Am I about to do something that is going to hurt someone and make me look like a racist. If the answer is yes than don’t do it. But if after reading this you feel that it’s just a little Irish Joke it’s not like were a real race or anything. I suggest opening up a history book or two and seeing how much of a race were not.