Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
so is the usa yet you think its odd for irish americans to look to the home country yet the " ulster scots " in northern Ireland looking to Scotland is fine and dandy
Yesterday me and my family were talking about our american "family". Well my mum ranted for about 30 minutes about how annoying Americans were when they aren't Irish. She said "they haven't got a baldies notion about Ireland and I don't know what their obsession is about, they are freaks!".
My dad also said an important factor. They will be mixed down to have basically like 10 percent Irisih ancestry. We all agreed that you can only call youself Irish if you have Irish parents.
Yesterday me and my family were talking about our american "family". Well my mum ranted for about 30 minutes about how annoying Americans were when they aren't Irish. She said "they haven't got a baldies notion about Ireland and I don't know what their obsession is about, they are freaks!".
My dad also said an important factor. They will be mixed down to have basically like 10 percent Irisih ancestry. We all agreed that you can only call youself Irish if you have Irish parents.
There is an Irish strain in me on both sides of the family from about 150-200 years ago. We have no connection with Ireland whatsoever and I never regarded myself as being "Irish". No more than I regard myself being Scots or Welsh or Scandinavian. I am English because I was born and bought up here. I find it odd that Americans call themselves "Irish" when they have one line amongst many coming from Ireland. I watched the film Captain Phillips and he told the pirates he was American but Irish. So they called him "Irish". It seems being "Irish" in the USA is a status badge. But it wasn't that long ago in the USA hotels and taverns would have the signs, "No blacks, dogs or Irish".
I have always wondered why some races wear their race on their sleeves and shout it out loud at times. I do not feel the need to wave English flags once a year, I know who I am and do not need to remind myself.
There is an Irish strain in me on both sides of the family from about 150-200 years ago. We have no connection with Ireland whatsoever and I never regarded myself as being "Irish". No more than I regard myself being Scots or Welsh or Scandinavian. I am English because I was born and bought up here. I find it odd that Americans call themselves "Irish" when they have one line amongst many coming from Ireland. I watched the film Captain Phillips and he told the pirates he was American but Irish. So they called him "Irish". It seems being "Irish" in the USA is a status badge. But it wasn't that long ago in the USA hotels and taverns would have the signs, "No blacks, dogs or Irish".
I have always wondered why some races wear their race on their sleeves and shout it out loud at times. I do not feel the need to wave English flags once a year, I know who I am and do not need to remind myself.
It is interesting to ponder. I'm Irish and I think it is because of the history of the Irish. They were discriminated against and treated badly by a larger invading neighbour. They lost 2/3 of the population to Famine and immigration. I guess the Irish survived despite their history. If you read Irish history it is really one of struggle to survive and keep an Irish identity.
I suppose you answered the question in your comment about "No blacks, dogs or Irish". Irish had to fight to survive and suffered a lot of discrimination which makes people band together and your identity stronger.
I think a lot of Americans have Irish ancestry from the potato famine. Irish history is one of oppression and struggle whereas the English were the oppressers. Also the US broke free from Britain so feel more empathy with oppressed people like the Irish, American Indians etc. Just some thoughts on the subject. It would be interesting to see other people's thoughts on why certain identities are stronger?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
