A Time for Change

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Editorial / Periscope - Niall O'Dowd

A Time for Change

November 7, 2007

By NiallO’Dowd

ON this, our 20th anniversary, we have arrived at a pivotal moment in Irish America and our relationship with Ireland. Peace in Northern Ireland has meant that the major points of disagreement with the government of Ireland are now resolved.

For decades a large segment of Irish America was at odds with the government. That era is now at an end.

This provides an immense opportunity for both Ireland and the Irish diaspora in America.

For the Irish government it allows them a leadership role in Irish America that was not possible at any time since partition. It is heartening to note that they are prepared to grasp it.

They realize that in a global economy the Irish diaspora provides Ireland with an unfettered friend in every major English speaking democracy. It is an incredible footprint from New York to New South Wales.

They must also consider whether their current presence in America is enough to take advantage of the great opportunity.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has done incredible work with limited resources. However, Ireland now needs consulates in cities like Atlanta, in states like Texas, and in areas like Southern California to capitalize on the incredible opportunity.

With peace in the North and a new focus on the Scots Irish those new bases become even more important. There has to be a concerted effort to examine and build on that incredible raw material that is waiting to be exploited.

Irish America must also change because of the new reality. For too long we have been identified in part by a bogus and trivial culture that focuses on green hats, leprechauns and beer drinking.

Is that what we want America to know us for?

Or can we examine our past and understand that while St. Patrick’s Day was once a vital totem pole, a badge of common identity to gather around when anti-Irish sentiment was rampant and downright dangerous, that era is now over.

We need to expand our vision of what Irish America is and to include the Scots Irish. Now that the seeds of peace and partnership in the North between the two traditions have been sown there is much work to be done here to achieve a new alliance with the Scots Irish.

There are signs of a rethink. Just last week Jack Meehan, the head of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish organization in America, made a very telling speech calling for a complete change in the organization’s focus now that peace has come dropping slow to the North.

I can suggest one major step they could take. Invite Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness to lead their parade up Fifth Avenue in New York on March 17 next year to symbolize a new era for hope, and Irish America’s approval for what the two men now represent.

Even two years ago, if I had suggested that scenario of Paisley leading the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, I might be accused of dementia. How wonderful it is to offer it in all sincerity.

Imagine the incredible response if Paisley and McGuinness led the way up Fifth Avenue. What would it tell the world about ancient enemies finding common ground, about conflict resolution and about Irish America reaching out to the two leaders.

We need a different St. Patrick’s Day anyway. Too much green beer and anti-queer permeates now.

The Catholic Church could lecture on how the incredible network of churches, hospitals and schools in this country were put in place instead of arguing about gays in the parade.

The politicians could discuss the legacies of Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy and Joe McCarthy.

The writers could talk of Scott Fitzgerald and Eugene O’Neill, the historians of our history since the Famine. Doesn’t that sound better than green beer and leprechauns?

Let’s stop trivializing ourselves and allowing others to do so to. We have a great culture and history and we need to highlight it.

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