Shadows of the Past: Examining Historical narratives around Irish Immigration and Modern-Day Incarceration
www.okjusticereform.org

... In the intricate tapestry of American history, threads of systemic injustice weave across centuries, connecting disparate communities with shared experiences. One such poignant comparison emerges when delving into the history of Irish immigrants and drawing parallels to the present-day over-incarceration of Native, Black, and other communities of color. This blog aims to unravel these interconnected narratives, exploring the echoes of the past reverberating in the present.

In the 19th century, Irish immigrants sought refuge in America, escaping famine and hardship. However, their journey was fraught with hostility and discrimination, pushing them to the margins of society. ...

Irish Americans recall the biases (2006)
www.seattlepi.com

... "Irish need not apply" was the joyless greeting thousands of Irish immigrants found as they entered their new country years ago. Forced to emigrate by repeated failure of the potato crop, they left their native Ireland as economic refugees and traveled to the land of opportunity.

Life in the Promised Land was not easy. Employment was the first challenge. Opportunities were limited by employers who treated the Irish as lazy, uncivilized and illiterate. They worked in mines and steel mills, kitchens and fields, doing jobs that established residents found undesirable. They often worked two and three jobs, as so many new immigrants must do to survive.

To fit in, our ancestors dropped their Irish names as necessary, lost the Irish accent and enjoyed Irish song and dance only in close circles. It worked. Irish Americans assimilated and made significant contributions to the economy, the arts, politics and public service. Today, despite a healthy economy in Ireland, an estimated 40,000 undocumented Irish live in the United States, including some political refugees.

Immigrants today meet with even greater complexities. Not only does racism confront most immigrants, bias against accents, religion and dress create barriers for those seeking the opportunity to live in this nation built by immigrants. ...