Is the drunken leprechaun offensive to the Irish? Eating corned beef and cabbage, which isn't a true Irish meal? What about team names like the "Fighting Irish"? The Boston Celtics, pronounced "Seltics" instead of the correct "Keltics"? If it was MLK day, would it be ok to eat fried chicken and watermelon?
2007-03-09 01:51:42 · 18 answers · asked by littleone_1005 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ St. Patrick's Day
no
2007-03-09 04:10:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I don't believe celebrating St. Patricks Day could be racist. It is no different than celbrating any other 'saint's day'. Such as Christmas (Saint Nicholas) Valentine's Day, etc.
The fact that certain Irish may demonstrate feeling against other nations in song (drunken or not) or that such behaviour is, or could be considered 'racist' has absolutely nothing to do with the day. The Day is merely a day on which to celebrate their Saint. Definitely NOT racist.
I'm assuming that the food fetish of eating Corned Beef and cabbage is an American Irish custom...I have never known it to be eaten in Ireland or in the UK as a feast day speciality.
The word Celtic (pronounced with an 'S' sound instead of the hard 'k' sound is not just the prerogative of the Boston Celtics, Other Celts, in Scotland use the same word in the same way as in Glasgow Celtics (soccer) whether one pronunciation is more correct than the other is a matter for debate...consider the State Arkansas (pronounced ark-an-saw) yet the river Arkansas is pronounced Ark-an-sas. So which is right? Neither?, both? you see it really is a matter of common usage. If the Boston Celtics wish to pronounce their name the way they do, who are we to deny them that right?
But racist Saint Patrick? Definitely not!
Cheers,
BobSpain
2007-03-09 02:13:48 · answer #2 · answered by BobSpain 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Last I checked it was the Irish who celebrated St Patrick's Day! Why would the Irish be racist against themselves?! Lol. To ask if St. Patrick's Day is racist is absolutely crazy.
As regards the image of the leprechaun being offensive... As an Irish person I am more bemused than insulted. When I travel abroad I give leprechaun souvenirs to my friends for a laugh. We (i.e. the Irish) sell this image to our visitors, along with the four-leaf clover, the harp, the pint of Guiness etc. It's really not something to take offense from.
2007-03-12 12:44:28 · answer #3 · answered by Professor Plum 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Which "race" is offended by St. Patrick's Day celebrations? The Irish are a nationality but not a race. Therefore, by definition the celebration cannot possibly be racist. In fact, the only racist reference in your question is to assume that fried chicken and watermelon are somehow connected to Rev. King. Was the real purpose of the question an opportunity to make that racist link?
2007-03-09 02:04:11 · answer #4 · answered by SA Writer 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why is it that everybody today tries to play the race card? Racism only exists today because of people like you and the media feeds right on it! It's so sad that we all have to walk on egg shells and be so "politically correct" all the time.
St Patrick's day is a holiday dedicated to Americans of Irish descent....the quirky little leprechaun...just a symbol not the way educated people think of Irish Americans! Just celebrate and be happy!
2007-03-09 02:07:08 · answer #5 · answered by pamomof4 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love fried chicken and watermelon. Add biscuits and a side salad for the ultimate celebration.
I love corned beef, beef brisket and cabbage. It goes down well with fine wine.
Can we get a St. Sopranos holiday because I love italian food and it will make Sunday family dinners worth celebrating.
2007-03-09 04:59:20 · answer #6 · answered by Lerat 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not racist at all. There's nothing wrong with it. I'm of Irish decent and proud to be. I do wish that St. Patty's Day celebrations weren't so focused on drinking. There are so many wonderful Irish things to celebrate other than drinking green beer.
2007-03-09 02:11:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've asked myself this question before when an "indian chief" mascot was banned because it was degrading to the native americans. I am part Irish and Native American and don't really have a problem with either one. But sometimes I wonder why it is allowed for some groups and not for others.
2007-03-09 01:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by Ellie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandfather would say so. He went to America to fight in WWII and when he came back to Ireland he was upset. My uncle, on the other hand, adores the Notre Dame mascot. I think the Irish generally have a better sense of humor about some things.
2007-03-09 08:41:51 · answer #9 · answered by anonymous 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
some people can deal with stereotypes whilst others can't. it doesn't bother me i support glasgow celtic f.c, it is pronounced seltics,the club was founded by an irish priest and a large majority of its supporters are from ireland,boats go back and forth to the games with the irish fans wanting to see them.
2007-03-12 14:37:52 · answer #10 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope, as an Celtic-American, I'm happy when people at least make a small effort to celebrate my heritage, even if not completely correctly.
2007-03-09 02:01:14 · answer #11 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋