Happy St. Patrick’s day! I enjoy St. Patrick’s Day except for green beer. I prefer a classic Guinness. Immigration from Ireland to the United States really began with the Potato Famine. Many starved to death because the potato crop in Ireland totally failed. Potatoes couldn’t be grown in Ireland until a type of potato was found that was resistant to the fungus that caused the Potato Famine. The Potato Famine ran from 1845 to 1852.
The Irish immigrants suffered the same problems that all immigrants do. They were subject to discrimination and were considered no better than second-class citizens. Their Irish brogue marked them as newcomers. They could only get the poorest of jobs. The fact that they were Catholic also was a reason for discriminating against them. Some say that the discrimination did not end until the election of John F. Kennedy as president. Before the election, he had to make a speech explaining that his religion would not interfere with his duty as president.
So when you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, remember the Irish went through the problems that all immigrants do to become part of our country.
