LETTERS 10 SEPTEMBER 2003

Illegals Deserve Respect

I AM writing in the hope that my letter will produce a voice where a voice is not heard. This is not an attempt to simply vent anger or exact revenge by any means. I would hope to bring attention to issues I feel are not addressed in community publications.

I have recently quit my job as a bartender in a popular Midtown bar and restaurant. I had held the position for just over two years. In those two years I had not had a serious complaint against me.

I have been bartending in the U.S. for four years between New York and Florida. I have worked for some well respected owners within the Irish community.

In spite of all this I have been subject to some of the most degrading insults ever thrown in my direction. And the person hurling this abuse? My boss.

The fact that I had worked hard and honestly for him for over two years did not seem to matter as he unleashed regular abuse at my colleagues and me. I of course understand that alcohol can cause people to act out of character. But in this case it only served to intensify and maintain this kind of behavior.

For example? “You Irish are no different than the Arabs.” That particular statement was made in front of a full bar. It is this disrespect for employees that I am addressing.

You may wonder why the staff have tolerated this for any amount of time. Well, in the past, the idea of speaking for your rights has been met with dismissal, or should I say, “there is always another Paddy to take your place.” (In my case I was referred to as a Brit, given that I hail from the North.)

At first I was shocked, given that my boss had inherited his business from his father, a native Irishman.

Show how and why did he get away with this, you ask? It’s pretty simple. I am “illegal.” I “have no rights.”

My employer seemed to take great pleasure using my legal status against me. Almost like a guillotine, he held his power over my head. This way he can insult us and get away with it.

To quote just a few choice words – “If it wasn’t for me you would have no job.” “I pay your f***ing taxes.” “You’re nothing but a f***ing British subject.” 

May I point out that none of these statements was ever made in jest. The seriousness in the tone and venom of each statement had to be witnessed first hand.

I know that coming here illegally is not the smartest thing in the world to do. But people do this, we know it, and we tend to accept it. And we would like to think that, within our own community, we would all get the same treatment.

My numerous employment experiences in the Irish bar trade here in the U.S. were excellent, until my employment at this establishment. 

The fact that I and others have endured this nightmare for over two years (some more) is due in part to my ex-employer’s secret reputation for blackening the names of employees he either fires or those who move on to other positions. This is a very under-handed final blow that I have been subject to.

My point is, if we don’t bring attention to this mistreatment of our own people, we are ignoring the unity and solidarity that is part of our character. 

In finishing, I would like to say that publications like the Irish Voice are the only avenues for outlet we have, next to street gossip. I would hope that as an Irish community newspaper you could show the issue some support.

Cases like mine are overlooked or never even exposed to the community, and I think that we should be aware and on the lookout for this kind of treatment.

No one is seeking legal action or revenge, just respect, he or she, legal or not.

Name withheld upon request 

Irish Mother Nature

HAVING spent a month in Ireland 10 years ago touring by bicycle, where it rained all but four or five days, I can understand why the Irish are enchanted with the whole experience of summer heat and sun. 

However, praising global warming (albeit quietly) is not “politically incorrect,” as “Periscope” by Niall O’Dowd in the August 27-September 2 issue claimed, it is short-sighted. 

Ireland is green for many geographic and climatic reasons, and what we and they are experiencing now is the result of human activities impacting the weather. If global warming continues, it is quite likely that those so happily walking the beaches will have nowhere to walk in the future. 

There are low-lying Pacific islands where people are already seeing the impact of rising seas and hence are being forced to move to higher ground. Ireland will not long escape this fate if the earth’s temperature continues to rise.

Let’s take the long view, folks. All of us will need to work together so that we have the weather – hot and steamy in New York, cool and wet in Dublin – that we’re supposed to have. 

To paraphrase an old ad for margarine, it’s not nice to try to fool Mother Nature.

Leigh O’Brien
Pittsford, New York

Prayers for Victims

SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 was only 24 months ago, but already many have stopped thinking about it. Fortunately, I recall 9/11 every day when I remember the images. 

I say fortunately because among those images is one of a Franciscan priest praying the rosary as he walked in the chaos-filled lobby of the burning tower. Most would say his prayers fell on deaf ears of an uncaring God who stood at a distance from lower Manhattan.

I disagree. Through my eyes of faith, informed by our experience of Jesus Christ’s prayers prior to his crucifixion, I know that Fr. Mike Judge’s prayers and those of his fellow victims that day were answered.

What do I mean by that? As sad as we are at the loss of each person that day, and as sad as each victim was as they left their family and friends on earth, I believe God was more present to them at that moment than at any previous time in their lives.

Why do we have to wait for such moments to experience God? The good news is that we do not have to wait!

On September 14, 2003, we can be as close to God as was Fr. Mike and all the victims of 9/11 simply by listening to and speaking with God in a conversation. 

Renew your own conversation with God as retrace the path taken by Fr. Mike from the West 31st Street Friary and firehouse to the World Trade Center, punctuated by prayers. Please join us on September 14 at 10 a.m. on West 31st Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues between the Friary and the firehouse where we will continue that eternal conversation started by Fr. Mike and his friends.

New York City Police Officer Steven McDonald
Malverne, New York

Lovely Long Island

FIRST, let me say that I enjoy reading the Irish Voice. It truly enlightens me on the issues affecting both Ireland and Irish Americans.

I read Elaine Gorevan’s new column “Coming to America” in last week’s issue with great interest. New York has long been known for being both friendly and receptive to both visitors and immigrants from Ireland.

I would like to wish Elaine and her boyfriend the very best in their endeavors. I hope she’ll find New York as exciting as Dublin.

Perhaps a visit to Long Island would also be a treat, as we, too, have many wonderful places and sights to visit. Again, my best to Elaine and all those who have chosen to live and/or visit New York.

Michael Carl Tanner
Rocky Point, New York

Family Reunion

I’M an Irish Voice subscriber. I followed the heartwarming story of Mary Komoroski in the paper last year and this with great interest last year. It is amazing and a miracle that dear Mary was able to connect and be reunited with her family.

The Irish Voice played a wonderful part in this remarkable drama. Just thought I would share my thoughts with you.

Carole Joyce
Phoenix, Arizona