Back to where it all began… at least where it began in the US of A

A few posts back I mentioned our anthropology trip back to my roots and alluded to the soaking up (literally) the culture of my peeps, well we did that (next blog). I also took the time to re-study my origins here and was surprised at a lot of similarities between then and now (interesting read). Turn on any news or drive-by-media program and we hear about the illegal immigrants or border crossing issues of the day with the Mexicans.

Back in the day whether it be the 1700s when them damm Protestants set up shop in Ireland or later during the Potato Famine of the 1800s (when my peeps came over) there were a lot of worries about the Irish influx in the states, but there were so many menial jobs that had to be done and while the “real” Americans (no not the native people) were above such “muscle grunt” the Irish picked up the slack. Fortunately for my family and I say that ironically because now-a-days they are good jobs all my peeps held jobs in Boston as Postal workers, Policemen, and Firemen , a tradition I continue to this day over a hundred years later.

This photo is of my Papa (3rd from the left) back when he was with the Boston Fire Dept. He was with the Boston Police Dept before that. (click on the pic to check out those fire engines)

Now on to St. Patrick’s Day. While the Irish were assimilating into life here one of the cultural experiences that they brought with them and enjoy to this day was the celebration of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who really didn’t drive the snakes out of Ireland and may or may not have plucked a 3 leaf clover (shamrock) to signify the Holy Trinity. This tradition surprisingly has been celebrated in the US since 1737 when the first parade took place in Boston.
While in town we visited the Boston Irish Famine Memorial and again it made me think of today’s predicament. But hey we lead the country in Medal of honor winners and we have a president to lay claim to.

Now jump ahead a hundred years and we have them damm Mexicans coming across the borders for a better life… go figure. Should we have a better system? Hell yea. Should we throw them out? No I need my menial jobs done. But I do understand the arguments from all the “real” Americans (again not the Native people) that have been here for ….. well since they immigrated from some other country for a better life.