|
Edited on Mon Mar-17-08 09:32 AM by monmouth
most likely would have gotten along just fine. On this St. Paddy's Day I think of the struggles my mother's family had in this country when they first emigrated. Grandmother Mary Collins (supposed relative of the "great" Michael Collins, West Cork)and Granddad Billy Murphy married in Limerick before sailing for the grand United States. Grandmother's sisters had emigrated first, settled in Montclair, NJ and worked for the wealthy who were at that time in Upper Montclair. They were "in service" as was the way of things in those days. Grandmother worked for the Parish at Immaculate Conception, thereby allowing her children to attend their Catholic School for little or no tuition.
Grandfather Billy had no such luck. He was an accomplished electrician in Ireland and highly respected in the trade. The story goes that they were "dirt poor" but his decoration of their Christmas tree was something the neighbors would come to view and awe. Grandmother even allowed a bit of the "creature" if it enhanced his creativity. Of course, needless to say the "creature" caused problems down through the generations, but that would be another story. In those days Billy Murphy was greeted with "Irish Need Not Apply." The only work he could find would be through private families, word of mouth as to his talent, and many through the Parish. Construction jobs whose owners were mostly WASPS would have none of those dirty Irish monkeys working on their sites. Billy Murphy saw the end of his days very bitter, hurt, and more often than once he damned America. He damned America from every bar on Bloomfield Avenue right up on the trolley line to Tierney's.
In the early days the opportunities for many an Irish boy in this country were the priesthood, fireman, policeman, politician (hahaha)Tradesmen of Irish descent were not welcome. I look out my window now as planks are being set in the intracoastal for the upcoming boat show. Those workmen are mostly if not all of Latino descent. 'Tis the way of things I guess.
I think had Grandpa Billy and the Reverend Wright ever met and had a chat, they would have gotten along famously. I'd bet my frugal grandfather would have been happy to buy the Reverend Wright a nice cold beer with a hint of green to it on this fine St. Paddy's day.
The Reverend has a long memory, he's been around quite a few years and remembers those struggles, insults and degradations his people suffered back in the '30s,'40s and even after WWII. Each new group coming into this country has the same struggle. "'Tis the way of things." Well, maybe. The healing part comes when groups can move on, assimilate and enjoy what this wonderful country has and will offer to all. The younger generation must be informed as to how it was, it's the only way we learn not to make those mistakes of the past.
To Grandfather Billy Murphy and all of my Irish ancestors, and to the Reverend Wright and his wonderful people, my wishes and prayers for a grander day when we all say God Bless America and feel a hint of the green in our hearts.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
