>From: Margaret Merchant <[log in to unmask]>
>I honestly believe the Celts embrace many of the stereotypes and have
>a hell of a lot of fun with them while doing so.
The mindful will "First seek to understand, THEN to be understood"
(Covey, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People").
<http://www.comingintoclover.com/pages/335401/page335401.html
?refresh=1108153113101>
This is not an isolated incident, this is a significant battle fought by
many Irish-Americans Societies (ex: Hibernians) & individuals:
http://www.aoh.com/history/archive/stpatrickmess.htmhttp://www.moirakelly.net/Articles/irish.htm
And here's why:
http://allaboutirish.com/library/identity/stereotypes.shtmhttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA04/wood/ykid/irishstereo.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish-American
St. Patricks Day may be a "drinking holiday: to many Americans. But to
many Americans of Irish descent it is a day of humiliating stereotypes.
To perpetuate such stereotypes is to celebrate the derogation our Irish
ancestors faced, just as many African-Americans feel when face with the
Rebel Flag.
If one continue to perpetuate such ethnic jokes one ultimately teaches
teens to discriminate against those who differ by race & ethnicity.
http://www.niaf.org/research/report_zogby.asp
If you still can't see how offensive these jokes are, that's fine - you
have the right to tell them. But as one emailer suggested, why don't you
see what happens if you tell that joke to an Hiberian in Boston on St.
Patty's day (I doubt you'd be met with laughter).
I can't fault others for not feeling the same way I do. I can't even
fault others for not knowing such jokes could be so offensive. But when
informed of the offense, I CAN fault for not accepting my feelings and
for not simply "man-ing up" and apologizing for the insult.
Now I've made my peace and will let the issue die. Thank you for your
support & understanding.
"Intelligence is like 4-wheel drive. It allows you to get stuck in more
'remote' places."
~ Garrison Keillor ~
[Posted in FML issue 5301]
