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Um, no. The Irish celebrate St. Patrick's Day as a religious holiday. Only recently have the American-style celebrations made it over to the Emerald Isle. Those songs I mentioned - "Danny Boy", "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", etc. - came from a vaudeville tradition that was no more Irish than Al Jolson's "Mammy" was African. You can read Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" to get a sense of how the English in the 18th century regarded the Irish - yes, he uses ironic hyperbole, but it works because it is a simply a logical extension of English policy. (and stereotypes)
My family is proudly Irish, with a long association with real Celtic music and an understanding of our history. Most of the so-called "Irish for a day" who swill green beer have no understanding of either.Actually, it is statistically impossible for all those who claim Irish ancestry to actually be Irish, according to one study.
I find it ironic that the same people who will loudly decry the use of various stereotypes in the name of entertainment find no problem with trampling on my heritage, be it Irish, Christian or southern.
eta - and I think that if you cannot correctly name the country Mexico defeated on the 5th of May, no margaritas for you!
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Gamma Phi Beta
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Proud daughter AND mother of a Gamma Phi. 3 generations of love, labor, learning and loyalty.
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