Lauren JosephIn a sense, I think the light has been shed for me but perhaps a shade too late. Recently, we celebrated the Irish holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. Do me a favor and forget all of the stereotypes you’ve always heard about all of the boozing or the Lucky Charms cereal at the other end of the rainbow. And certainly don’t think of that horrendous movie, “The Leprechaun.”
Where was I? Right, St. Patty’s Day. Albeit, by the time this hits the print, the holiday will be almost a month gone but that’s my point. The holiday is meant to celebrate the Irish heritage every day, not just once a year.
I call on Cabrini’s students to step up and celebrate this heritage, and I use the Ethnic Student Alliance or Latinos Unidos as prime examples. I can’t walk down the hallway without hearing or seeing something relating to those two groups, and I applaud that. But why can’t there be more clubs celebrating different heritages? After all, this is a school that celebrates and encourages diversity. Someone should start more clubs like this. I would do it myself, but unfortunately, if I keep my fingers crossed real tight and for a long time, I’ll be graduating this May.
Stereotypes will hurt this concept but what about other activities that can be celebrated through the Irish spirit. Every heard of soccer? Rugby? I spent hours at a pub called Fado with people watching soccer about a month ago. I ate an Irish Breakfast, which included beans and all kinds of stuff. It was an education in the heritage I have been asked about since I was a child.
The important thing for each of us to remember is that we are all Americans too. Outside of our groups we are all essentially one unit. If an Irish club started I would not join it and tell people that I am Irish and that’s it. I would tell them I am an American celebrating my heritage.
I hope this gives ideas to those who are a year or more off from graduation. It’s not impossible to celebrate who you are and what you are made up of. It’s not impossible to not recognize your history. It is impossible to turn your back on it though.
Posted to the web by Lauren Joseph
