I have actually learned a lot about early Irish immigration to the US. If you're British its particularly poignant and not something that features in our history lessons at school, but, as with all bits of history that we're not proud of, it shouldn't be forgotten lest it happens again (who am I kidding, history goes round and round and round like a washing machine full of turds).
That said, lets address the darling statement you hear so often from East Coasters: "I'm Irish". I am certainly not going to argue that you cannot call yourself Irish - identity is a very personal thing - is it the country you were born in? The country you spent most time living in? The country of your parents? The cultural heritage that mostly matches your own upbringing? Cultural identity is as personal as the color of your undercrackers, and if you ask someone where they are from then you'll get the same look of horror as if you had just asked them what color they're packing inside their kecks. BUT, if you do consider yourself to be IN ANY WAY of Irish descent, lets start with the basics. Its St PADDY'S day, not St PATTY'S day. Seriously. Unless you're celebrating St Patricia, Patron Saint of Naples six months early? No? Well, you should therefore note that Paddy is a shortened version of the Irish name Padraig (which is referred to as Patrick in English, Patricius in latin, Padrig in Welsh). Fair enough, he was actually born in Roman Britain, before going to Ireland as a young man, meaning that Patrick might still be ok? No, no its not. If you were in any part Irish there is no way that you would shrug and say, "well, I guess you're right, he was from the other island, so Patrick and therefore Patty is entirely acceptable." St Padraig is the Patron Saint of Ireland, and a symbol of the motherland that was left behind when early Irish settlers started out on the terrifying journey to the New World, so this little consonant swap is actually quite meaningful.
Right, now thats dealt with, lets look at the popular alcoholic beverage "Irish Car Bomb". For the love of George Bush, its this sort of shit that makes the rest of the world believe that the US knows nothing about/gives no fucks about anyone but themselves. And I know thats not true, so please, stahp. I can't put it any better than this:
http://paddynotpatty.com
So, next time you think it would be cute to bake up a batch of Irish Car Bomb cupcakes (yes, this is a thing) for the local bake sale, try searching for a recipe on Google, but leaving out the words "recipe" and "cupcake" and see what atrocities you find. Its still super sensitive and you are being super INsensitive.
Aaaaand, relax. I was actually lucky enough to spend a lovely few hours with THE St Paddy's Day flag carrier for Sligo, the day after her big debut on the streets of SF. As it happens we did end up in a pub, but thats a cultural stereotype from the UK and Ireland that is entirely true and one I am prepared to own. Sláinte.
