Is St. Paddy's Day Racist?
 

This past week I was walking around several stores, and I've seen products like hats, t-shirts, and greeting cards and noticed one common theme: glorification of the negative stereotypes of the drunken Irish person. Maybe it's because I've got some Irish heritiage that makes me get a bit bent because of this, but how many people actually know the story of Saint Patrick (I have to admit I really don't) and how many just celebrate as another reason to get plastered. If another "holiday' celebrated a negative racial stereotype, there'd be outrage, why are the Irish easy pickings?

Americans have the annoying tendency to see something racist in everything. Really. Every movie is racist, every TV-show, every holiday, every damned candy bar. Even the money.

It's ridiculous. Just drop it and get drunk.

Ok, maybe I should have made it a little more tongue and cheek.

no and no, drop that and do whatever you want to do for all i care

Yes, I know the story of St. Patrick.

If you were ever in Dublin City Centre on Paddy's Day you'd see just how true all the Irish going out and getting drunk is. Depending on where I am that day and if I remember, I'll try to take a few pictures on my phone to show you the total mayhem that goes on on Paddy's Day. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the pub (no joke;) ).

Oh, and I do celebrate it as a reason to get plastered. There is no point to Paddy's Day, like most holidays. He just rid Ireland of snakes and more than likely the story isn't real anyway.

I also should have specified America. I'm sure those in Ireland know. Sorry, Jed. :P

(Please note, this thread was a poor attempt at humor....really poor)

You are Stimor! Fine, then don't get drunk, if you don't want to. Dance a polka, for all I care.

But seriously, Americans are so concerned about everything being racist so that it appears to a complete outsider that American things must be called racist in order to even be acknowledged. I can see it in front of me right now. Casting for the Black Overdrive Power Ranger.

Black Ranger: "HIIIYAAAH! Overdrive Black!"
Audition people: "That was awesome! But are you sure you want to be the black overdrive ranger?"
BR: "Yeah, man. Why wouldn't I be sure. The Black Ranger is the coolest of the crew and he's got a mean hammer. You know the song "it's hammer time"? Hahahaha..."
AP: "Well, I mean... you're... ummm, I don't know how to say this... ummm... your skin."
BR: "Oh, yeah, I'm black. Get it, black guy/black ranger? Cool, eh? I don't even need a costume to be black."
AP: "Yeah, but you're black..."
BR: "And?"
AP: "Well... you wanting to be the black ranger?"
BR: "Okay, this could take a while..."

If you would stop finding everything racist, you might be better off all in all. To us europeans, it's really ridiculous. We have a good laugh every other week when we hear what's racist over in your place this time.

There just isn't anything better than some good racism. It's the American way. You can try to be the non-conformist, but then you won't have any friends. And nobody wants to be without friends.

Everything is racist. Lighten up people.

Yeah. Lighten up, Anarky.

BTW, Jester... Your original post did come across sounding sincerely up-in-arms. I suggest you use sarcasm tags the next time you attempt dry humor online. It just doesn't translate well in writing without a fair amount of context. Also, [SARCASM]that was outrageously racist of you! You're going to American hell for that.[/SARCASM]

rac·ism [rey-siz-uhm] – noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Maybe if it were called 'Irish People Suck And Everyone Else Is Way More Betters Day' it would be racist, but I don't see what's so bad about suggesting the Irish like to drink. Sure, it's a stereotype, sure it's kind of ignorant, but it's really not that big of a deal, especially as it seems to be a positive one more than anything. Hell, they got a good deal if you ask me, we Dutch are still known as the people who legalise everything.

You mean you don't legalize everything? :o

I'm as shocked as you are.

One word - Yes. It's hard not to see a picture of a drunk Irishman on a postcard or a t-shirt on St. Patrick's day. It's a shame to; the day was originally a day for moarning and now it's a day about killing someone who isn't wearing green and getting wasted. Patrick would probably be rolling in his grave if he saw this...

that's 'cause it's constantly crammed down our throats by the media. If people in this fine melting pot spent more time looking at our similarities and less time looking at our differences we'd be a happier country. I't'll never happen...but I'm just saying.

Yeah, St. Patrick's day probably promotes a stereotype here just as much as alot of other things we do. But shame on the ignorant people who believe stereotypes anyway.

I forget. Did St. Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland with a putter or a wedge?

Maybe it was with dynamite? :P There are just way to many versions of the legend to say "Yeah, he drove them out with a walking stick" or something like that. It's just hard to know now days :ohwell:

how can there be so much wrong in 1 tiny sentence

which must mean that every claim of racism is silly and wrong, and this whole thing is from people in general there is no "europeans this and americans that, other, thing"

Irish is a race?

Why are you people crying over a stereotype? Do you also get upset when you see a little Italian guy with a huge moustache and a chef's hat on a pizza box (Don't bother answering - I know you don't)? That's 'racist' too, you know.

Stereotypes (Which are not at all the same thing as racism, for crying out loud) are always going to be around in some form, it's really not worth getting worked up over. Do you understand what a charicature is? Do you think anyone is dumb enough to take them seriously? Do you honestly think anyone cares?

You're making a huge deal out of nothing, stop whining. The day is an excuse to get drunk, go get drunk, you seem like you could use a drink.

You'd be surprised.

Yes, stereotypes aren't racist, but isn't perpetuating them just a little bit racist?

*hums the song "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" from Avenue Q*

No, because they deserve it.

:roll:


Stereotypes will never stop being apart of this society. In this country, with so many cultures and ethnicities, and backgrounds all put together....and people withtheir own egotistical need to feel superior to something...stereotypes will always be around.

women drivers
wild injuns (and yeah..I hate that spelling personally)
polish jokes
middle eastern terrorists
lazy mexicans
smart asians
crazy cajuns
stupid southerners
bible thumpers


shall I go on?

None of them can be taken as a blanket truth. But for some reason there is always that little part of society that will believe EVERYTHING they're told. They are the ones who will perpetuate these stereotypes and keep them alive and well for many many years to come

I don't think it's racist, but I wonder where the story of St Patrick driving Snakes out of Ireland came from, I mean come on, it has to have been an ancestor of Samuel L Jackson.

Anyway I think St Patrick was the main man responsible for bringing the catholic faith to Ireland.
To quote Bono "I don't have time for religion it's torn our country apart" which it has done in more ways than one, I think that's how the majority of young people feel in Ireland, myself included.
So the actual original purpose of the day is completely overshadowed/forgotten by the urge to go out and party, and that's something we Irish love to do, maybe a bit too much.

Irish-Americans don't get offended by this stuff in the least. We embrace it. It's our past, after all.

In the United States, St. Patrick's Day should focus on the negative aspects of the Irish in America. When we first arrived off the boats, we were outcasted from society as drunken monkeys. Being the slavery era, the Irish were held in lower esteem than African Americans. The Irish couldn't get a job other than menial, what you may consider slave labor. Irish boys right off the boat were often handed a rifle and sent to the front lines of the Civil War. They were forced into public schools that denounced their culture out right.

St. Patrick's Day, to the Irish in America, symbolizes our rise to the top of this nation. In a century we, as a people, rose from slavery to economic and political prominence (except Rednecks.) Besides, every time you see a negative stereotype of the Irish, they're always having fun. Dancing, drunken leprechauns having oodles of sex in a pile of gold. Looking at that image, who wouldn't want to be Irish?

This is all making me wonder how much Irish blood I have coursing through my veins... Pheh. As if it matters... :D
You've never heard of the Irish Open?

you know St. Patrick wasn't even irish, I believe he was Roman who was kidnapped and made a slave in Ireland.

Something else to confuse you. Corned Beef and Cabbage is not Irish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Patrick

He was British, captured, escaped back to England then returned to Ireland to bring Catholicisms to the isle.

Isn't it basically bacon and cabbage?

Corned beef makes me nauseous. :sick:

No, no, dear boy. Corned beef is a seasoned brisket....pink if it is done right....not bacon. This is the one meal I make an exception to my "I don't eat red meat" policy....even during Lent. It's tasty :D