Racism and Discrimination of the Irish Back in the 1800s - Research Paper Example

Running head: RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION Racism and Discrimination of the Irish Back in the 1800’s Similar to many others, the United States was a dream for Irish immigrants. Irish were flowing through the “golden Door”. Millions of Irish immigrants hoped to find happiness in a foreign country, but found persecutions and racism against them. Religious and cultural beliefs of the Irish were neglected. Their nation was considered to be ‘underprivileged’. As a result, Irish immigrants were excluded from American society. Nevertheless, their mutual withstanding of hardships and oppression resulted in their survival in America. Understanding Irish immigration is important in the sense that it helps to trace back the history of racial discrimination and bias in contemporary America. Racism and discrimination against the Irish in America should be discussed, to understand the reasons of such discriminatory attitudes toward the Irish newcomers in America and to evaluate the ways the Irish used to reduce the discrimination pressures. This paper will discuss the facts of the Irish discrimination in America and the ways the Irish fought with their hardships. The basic goal of the paper is to perform an in-depth analysis of the racial and ethnic discrimination trends in early America. Immigration of Irish to Britain and America lasted more than three centuries. Starting from 1600 until the middle of 1900, a flow of Irish to America was caused by famine in Ireland, political and social hardships (See, 2000). No chances to survive, no options to look for, – in such a way it is possible to describe the absence of perspectives for young Irish in their native country. The youth was inspired by illusions of a prosperous and successful future. The Irish left their country and they knew that they would not return there. Nevertheless many of them continued to send money to their families to Ireland and supported them. “American wake” is a name of fast and reckless Irish immigration to America. Unfortunately, America met immigrants with intolerant and racist attitude. There was a stereotype in America that Irish are alcoholics. The only jobs for them were low-paid jobs. Moreover, their marriages to black slaves intensified racial discrimination against them. Finally, they were called “white Negroes” (Perkinson, 2000). Racial discrimination was reflected in newspapers, different illustrations and hand drawings. Irish faces were depicted like monkeys’ faces. In accordance with racial discrimination against Irish their race was considered to be “inferior” in comparison with Anglo-Saxons. The Irish felt the pressure of American negligence and bias due to the lack of professional qualifications and training. Americans often believed that Irish did not deserve to have good employment and were hired only due to the connections they were able to establish with their employers. Cultural and religious beliefs of Irish were also underestimated and neglected. Religion of Irish was not acknowledged in America and they were considered to be Pagans. Their religious beliefs were perceived as immoral or even demonic. Irish had a rich mythological and folkloric heritage, though it was severely ridiculed. Irish Catholics had constant heated arguments with Protestant Americans. Finally, these hostile debates turned into the Know Nothing Movement. Catholics were persecuted and were excluded from public office (See, 2000). Working class of Irish had also heated confrontations with ‘native’ American workers. Therefore rural areas turned into ‘hostile battlefields’. They fought for construction jobs. Generally speaking, Irish were discriminated on all social levels. Their marriages to Protestants were strictly forbidden and criticized by priests and ministers. Education of Irish youth took place in isolated parochial school system, which restricted Irish from public schools in America. Therefore Irish were restricted from normal social functioning in America. Moreover, they witnessed their restrictions written on signs, occurring everywhere. These signs proclaimed: “No Irish Need Apply” (e.g., NINA). In order not to give up and ridicule these hostile and racist signs, Irish sang songs about their discrimination. British and American Irish immigrants combined their forces in a struggle against racist discrimination. The “No Irish Need Apply” song was adopted in Britain and America. Jobs discrimination of Irish is a heated discussion among modern critics. Their ideas are ambiguous: some of them claim that there were no NINA signs and some of them claim that these signs existed and even in 20th century Irish are discriminated against in various job positions (Tehranian, 2000). In spite of the fact, that Irish could speak English and had white skin they were treated worse than animals. Irish white color of skin was not essential to Americans. They still treated them like Blacks. They claimed that both these nations are equal in their behaviors and were ruled by the same passions. Americans believed that large families of Irish and Blacks were pleased with lower pleasures and had no responsibilities before their families (Shatz, 2001). They were considered being lazy and unwilling to work. In reality, Americans and Britons offered no employment opportunities; it was easier to accuse Irish of their laziness. In America, white color of skin gave the right to vote. Irish were mainly settled in big cities in the north. Thus, their votes could be effectively used by politicians (Friedman, 2007). In such a way, politicians could tax prosperous whites to hire the Irish to work for the good of the city. They could serve as policemen, firemen and others. Nevertheless, white color of skin couldn’t lift Irish from the bottom of Irish slums in New York. Irish were at the bottom of American society. They were accused of high levels of crime in America: “The Irish fill our prisons, our poor houses...Scratch a convict or a pauper, and the chances are that you tickle the skin of an Irish Catholic. Putting them on a boat and sending them home would end crime in this country.” (Quinn, 2003) It is evident from this citation that it was easier for Americans to accuse immigrants of all vices and defend themselves. How did Irish manage to cope with such a wave of American racism and negativism? The secret is in their solidarity and mutual support. Their religious beliefs were of high importance to them. Irish met sorrows and joys together. In spite of the fact that Irish men drank a lot, Irish women were devout and hard-working - they often worked as housemaids, nannies, and chambermaids. It became that Americans preferred Irish women to Indian or Africa-American women for their white skin color, honor and moral values, which were previously never held in regard. So what made this all change over time? White skin, gangs and member ship, mafia ties? There were so many outside factors that influenced priorities but it never really went away. The Irish are still labeled today as are Latinos, African Americans, Italians, and Indians but the racial innuendos are slowly dissipating. Conclusion Irish were inspired by illusions of a wealthy and thriving life they can find in the United States. They left their country and they knew that they wouldn’t return there. Many Irish immigrants wanted to find happiness in a foreign country, but found persecutions and racism against them. Foreign state they wanted to move to, the state from their dreams, met Irish with prejudiced and racist attitude to them. Irish were restricted from normal social functioning in The United States. Furthermore, they saw these restrictions written on signs, met everywhere, their race was considered to be ‘inferior’ in comparison with Anglo-Saxons. Notwithstanding that Irish immigrants were excluded from American society, their mutual withstanding of hardships and oppression resulted in their survival in America. Irish immigration to America since 1600 played a significant role in the history of this nation and American politics. More than 7 million Irish became a significant part of American society. Irish ancestry can be found among 40 million people in America. In spite of the fact that centennial racism against Irish took place in America, Irish didn’t loose their hope and proved their self-sufficiency. References Friedman M.P. (2007). Beyond “Voting with Their Feet”: Toward a Conceptual History of “America” in European Migrant Sending Communities, 1860S to 1914. Journal of Social History, Vol. 40, 21. Perkinson, J. (2000). Color of the Enemy in the New Millennium. Cross Currents, 50, 12+. Quinn, J. (2003). The Rejection of the Nineteenth Century. Eire-Ireland: a Journal of Irish Studies, 38, 43. See, S.W. (2000). “An Unprecedented Influx”: Nativism and Irish Famine Immigration. American Review of Canadian Studies, 30, 54. Shatz, A. (2001). The Thernstroms in Black and White. The American Prospect, 12, 1. Tehranian, J. (2000). Performing Whiteness: Naturalization Litigation and the Construction of Racial Identity in America. Yale Law Journal, 109, 1. Read More