Like other European settler and immigrant groups, the story of the Irish coming to the United States is one of fast-changing political allegiances. While the colonization of Ireland by the British military began in 1155, the native Gaelic-Catholics retained control of the majority of the isle for over 400 years. The seventeenth century however would bring unprecedented levels of settler-colonial violence, land theft, and cultural destruction. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Hi David. Thank you for this piece. As an activist of Irish and Mexican descent, I am really glad to see folks talk about the San Patricios. I think we are at a moment right now where we need to find ways to crack white supremacy in the US (and beyond). One of the best ways to do this is to get more white folks on board in the struggle. I think the Irish American community is perfectly poised to help put big cracks in that wall so to speak. But, it will require alot of educational outreach to answer those exact questions you asked here and raise the necessary awareness. I think the San Patricios are a GREAT model for this kind of education as well as others like O'Connell, Connolly, and others. You're asking the same questions I'm asking and I'm so glad to see pieces like this, especially right now. I think there's a real moment for this rise in Irish American awareness particularly with the situation in Palestine being such a jarring reminder of what colonization really means and looks like in action. Small groups of Irish Americans are organizing nationally as we speak around this issue. But I see something developing in the Irish American community that could have lasting consequences in the larger anti colonial struggle, especially here in the US....and it's about damned time. Go raibh mile maith agat.
Thank you so much for this message, Sam! I'm glad this was meaningful to you and its great to hear all of your thoughts about all this. Yeah as I've been posting about Irish history as it relates to race and colonialism, different people have been sharing with me about the rise of Irish-American solidarity-based organizing with Palestine. Really great to see. If you have resources you particularly like from Daniel O'Connell or Joseph Connolly I'd love to hear about them. Glad to be connected.
Hi David. Thank you for this piece. As an activist of Irish and Mexican descent, I am really glad to see folks talk about the San Patricios. I think we are at a moment right now where we need to find ways to crack white supremacy in the US (and beyond). One of the best ways to do this is to get more white folks on board in the struggle. I think the Irish American community is perfectly poised to help put big cracks in that wall so to speak. But, it will require alot of educational outreach to answer those exact questions you asked here and raise the necessary awareness. I think the San Patricios are a GREAT model for this kind of education as well as others like O'Connell, Connolly, and others. You're asking the same questions I'm asking and I'm so glad to see pieces like this, especially right now. I think there's a real moment for this rise in Irish American awareness particularly with the situation in Palestine being such a jarring reminder of what colonization really means and looks like in action. Small groups of Irish Americans are organizing nationally as we speak around this issue. But I see something developing in the Irish American community that could have lasting consequences in the larger anti colonial struggle, especially here in the US....and it's about damned time. Go raibh mile maith agat.
Thank you so much for this message, Sam! I'm glad this was meaningful to you and its great to hear all of your thoughts about all this. Yeah as I've been posting about Irish history as it relates to race and colonialism, different people have been sharing with me about the rise of Irish-American solidarity-based organizing with Palestine. Really great to see. If you have resources you particularly like from Daniel O'Connell or Joseph Connolly I'd love to hear about them. Glad to be connected.