I applaud Mr. Staunton for undertaking the task of Sisyphus. I am also an immigrant, although my family, refugees from WWII in war-torn France, came in legally on a Victory ship in 1946 and were logged into the roll at Ellis Island. We easily became citizens in 1952, in a ceremony I remember quite vividly, at the Federal Southern District Court in NYC. Anti-immigrant types will tell you that those who came in "by the rules" as we did have the same harsh view of illegals as they do. It's a lie. I welcome any immigrant or refugee who wants to come here to better himself and improve his children's future. I only fear that they may be too late and that the hatred we see in this country may be irreversible in the age of social media. And while I totally agree that “It is un-American to pull the ladder up after you," I think that is what immigrants have always done. It's what I refer to as the "Ladder theory of American social democracy": viz., people come here escaping persecution, discrimination, war, famine, pestilence and poverty and end up in the slime at the bottom of the entry pool. With diligence they pull themselves up to the first, then the second, rung of the ladder. Now, having adequate purchase, they keep a foot and a hand on the ladder. With their free hand they wave the American flag and with their free foot they kick at whoever is below, trying to keep them in the slime they have just left. Sadly, that is who we are.
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People think that only blacks and people from Mexico have been discriminated against. In this country, unfortunately, every culture has been discriminated against at some time in history. The Irish, the Jews, Chinese, Japanese (I once saw an exhibit in a museum where there was a chart so that immigration officials could tell the difference between the Chinese and the Japanese. They were only allowed to open up certain businesses here, which was another form of discrimination. The idea is to fight such hatred and realize that we're all the same - we all want the best for our families, food on the table, clothes on our backs and a roof over our head. Do I agree with giving help through social programs to people that come here? No - my grandparents came here through Ellis Island and had to have a job and a place to live or they would have been sent back.
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So many of these posts confirm that anti Irish sentiments still exist let alone the stinging anti immigrant feelings. Looks like we still need to tell the story, welcome others, and respect our immigrant roots.
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The story of another person who entered the country illegally, telling us that our laws don't matter.
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HERE COMES THE SPOUSE
Chirlane McCray has her sights set high,
On an Election Day breakthrough,
To succeed her husband in winning office
And do what Hillary couldn't do.
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The return of Banksy?
Many a thanksy!
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And while we're on the topic of Irish history, lets not forget the New York City Draft Riots of 1863, where mostly Irish immigrants fearing the job competition from free Blacks violently attacked them in a series of disturbances in lower Manhattan.
Another thing. Not only the Irish, but also Blacks and Jews were often told not to apply.
Just something to ponder over your next Guiness.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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I think most people already know that ads often included blacks nor jews need not apply..likely many did not know that at one point this also applied to iRish.
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@Elle
First of all, I beg to differ. Anyone familiar with American history knows that the Irish were discriminated against as much as Blacks and Jews were.
Another thing.
Just because people might or might not have known this, doesn't alter the fact that in many ways, that exact kind of bigotry still exists today.
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What a great role model with his multi-faceted activism! Also this is a great reminder that immigration issues affect people of all nationalities, not only those in the spotlight in this current moment i.e. Mexican aliens, Syrian refugees. Activism for one group helps activism for all groups!
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As for Charlene McCray: Can we please all remember that Bill de Blasio has never had a job outside of politics; that he's made extra money by getting Maimonides Hospital to create out of thin air, in return for city funds, a high-paying job for his wife; and that kick-backs in the form of "contributions" have been over many years made him by all sorts of real estate developers?
Bill de Blasio and his wife are small-time Trumps. Sick of all of them.
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De Blasio's wife, Ms. McCray, should use her OWN MONEY to "raise her profile" to pay for all these out-of-town trips, if that's so important to her.
She's worried about mental health in Puerto Rico? With no slight intended to Puerto Rico's situation, if Ms. McCray is concerned about mental health issues, NYC has no shortage of people with mental health issues, and she could be doing something about that right here, if she actually cares.
But her trips aren't about making NYC better; they're about making her more "visible" - even though she has no qualifications for any public office. Shameful to spend NYC taxpayer money on her vanity trips, and tells me a lot about her integrity (or lack thereof).
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Thank you my friend for the poignant reminder that silence is indeed a form of complicity. This Irish-American will heed your call. Your example encourages me.
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Great lead article, but I'm still going to try not to leave my own block in Hell's Kitchen on St. Patrick's Day. :)
That linked graffiti story, along with that weekend forecast, brings one tune to mind – to my mind, anyway! Who cares (at least for now) what next week and the start of spring may bring?
“Wall to Wall Sunshine”
tune of “Walking on Sunshine”
I’d never thought much about artists defacing a wall
When I would walk by it, it just didn’t matter at all
But now when I see n the forecast we may have a thaw
I want to run up to a building, all ready to draw.
Some wall to wall sunshine, whoa, oh
There’s wall to wall sunshine, whoa, oh
There’s wall to wall sunshine, whoa, oh, oh
And boy, it looks good! Sun’s bright now -
The weekend looks good!
(repeat last line over and over)
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Are you kidding me? Trump has done damage to so many. And my heritage is 1/2 Irish. And we're still worried about Irish immigrants? Really? What a stupid article, sound and fury signifying nothing.
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I think you missed his point -- he's describing his journey as an immigrant to show the wider Irish-American community that we need to continue to protect immigrants' rights, even as our families become American and assimilate. Too many Irish-Americans forget it was once us who needed a helping hand, a path to citizenship, and immigration reform. (yes, there are still undocumented Irish, and some have been deported recently -- but the bigger message is to help current undocumented immigrants of all stripes, not just your own.)
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As a man with 100% Irish heritage, I feel at liberty to tell anyone who's interested that there is little in the world more irritating than Irish music.
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As a musician, let me say that there is little in the world more beautiful and melodic than a traditional Irish air, lament, jig, or reel. Irish bar music maybe not so much
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We'll agree to differ - I love Irish music - listen to it all the time - but hey, Happy St Patrick's Day to you!
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ANYONE FEELING IRRITATED by Irish music will 100% likely not wish to attend my wake. Everyone else is fondly invited. Do shláinte agus dea-rath ar an lá seo!
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My parents came here from Ireland legally in the 50s but the current crop of immigrants from Ireland who are here illegally have the attitude that they have a right to be here and they don't.
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