they minted 6 Irish faces, and I have one of them

[the_siobhan]

I had this conversation with a couple of people last night about the experience of being part of the Irish diaspora.

Culturally I'm about as Canadian as it gets. I've lived her since I was just under three years old, most of my "real" memories are set in Canada. Most of my attitudes and values are a direct result of living in the largest city in the country with one of the most diverse populations.

So you know, not all that Irish.

I wasn't even born there. My parents met in England. I have an Irish passport because my parents are Irish born and raised. For a long time that led to the_axel telling me I was actually English, a practice that came very close to getting him brained with something heavy and made out of metal.

But at the same time, I do identify at least partly with the condition of "being" Irish. Not because of some mystical connection or or some misguided idea that one can identify with a culture based on reading about it.

But because the whole history of my family is very strongly tied up with having come from that country and it's weird-ass version of Catholicism. (As opposed to any other country's particular weird-ass version of Catholicism.) The dysfunction that has been handed down from generation to generation. The alcoholism. Some of the genetic stuff. The experiences of my parents' that have profoundly shaped their lives have in their turn profoundly and inescapably influenced mine; my experiences, my personality, all the things I've celebrated and struggled with over the years.

I'm not Irish in that I did not grow up there, any ideas I might have about the current culture are based solely on what I know from relatives who never left. But to say I'm not Irish is to negate a huge component in what influenced my life. As much as being born white. As much as being born female.

I don't wear green to celebrate Padraig - I usually avoid pubs on his night. I don't think of myself of being particularly proud of being Irish. (Although I occasionally make jokes about being proud of having survived being Irish.) I loathe leprauchauns and shamrocks and all the kitschy bullshit.

And I will never, unless it is the final option in the struggle to save my loved ones from the Zombie Apocalypse, ever be caught dead drinking green fucking beer.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I'm not always clear on what it means to be decended from any group of people in particular. When I visited England anyway, I know I felt some sort of connection there, but I get homesick when I'm out of Canada for more than 5 days. So when I get off the plane in Toronto, I smell that poluted air and say "Ahhhhhh, it's good to be home."

The only time I really freaked out over being Half Irish was when my (adoptive) grandmother called me Polish. She said "Well your mother was Polish, and so I see you as Polish." This pissed me off on a level that has yet to be measured. Not because I have anything against Polish people, or because I don't love my mom or anything (which grandma also called into question after I met Siobhan) but because she refused to acknowledge a part of my identity that is actually there. I've also found myself getting angry when people have assumed I'm Italian...I'm not Italian.

My parents have noted I have had a craving for potatoes since early childhood. So who knows? Being half Irish doesn't define me, but it's still there. I think St. Patrick was a bastard. I spent the day with a couple frinds here at home and listened to Irish Flute music. We didn't want to deal with people wearing green hats and using the holiday as an excuse to act like assholes.

Jenn*

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't call you Polish, but if your mother's Polish background had some effect on her upbringing, then I would certainly say that there is a Polish influence in your life. You know what I mean?

The craving for potatoes is just flat-out hilarious. They have become so much a part of our cultural identity in the eyes of the world, and they aren't even indigenous to Ireland.

[(Anonymous)]

Sure! But she didn't say "you are influenced by Polish culture" she said "You ARE Polish!" Anyway, growing up eating meat on a stick, pierogis, and beet soup on Easter and Christmas, and knowing how to say "Holy Mary Mother" in Polish, which is a curse, is really the bulk of it.

"They have become so much a part of our cultural identity in the eyes of the world." I don't think it's just a stereotype. Every time we visit Frances's house, she has seven different types of potatoes with dinner.
BTW, I think we should visit her soon.