Irish Segregation in the Early Nineteenth Century

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Irish Segregation in the early 19th century

By mid 1800s, Ireland was a pocket of disease, famine, and British oppression. The great potato famine made life in Ireland almost unlivable or they were forced to leave by the British. After coming to America many Irish settled in New York City seeking jobs homes and a place to make a name for themselves. However, this was not the case when many “white” Americans refused to hire Irish workers. Much of the hate came from unfounded rumors as they were not “white” or they were liar’s, criminal’s, they are all filthy, and go on for quite a list. Some of these rumors were true such as many Irish people were uneducated but that in no reflected them as a people. The Irish were being hated on two fronts one they were Irish and two they were Catholics.

The segregation the Irish faced was, because they were seen as poor and uneducated; among other things. Many lived in what were called almshouses which were large very poor houses that held multiple families, in which they had terrible living conditions, and only aloud to live with other Irish. The shacks they lived in were so close to one another that it alluded for diseases to spread easily and quickly. Alongside that, many Irishmen had a hard time finding employment or any form of work. They were denied access to certain business and jobs. Americans would post signs that would say "No Irish Need Apply" or no Irish allowed (Jenson, 2002).

The Irish were subjected to racism, because many people felt they were worse than “Colored People” and should not be allowed were they were. The reason they believe this way is because the black people tolerated the treatment and the Irish would not suffer the maltreatment in silence and spok...

... middle of paper ...

...violence towards there people. If you asked a child to day about the oppression of the Irish, they would most likely look at you funny. Overall, it looks like a win for everyone the Irish become equals with the white man, and it paved the way for other civil rights movements in the future.

References

McDonald, A., Ph.D. (NA). How the Irish Became White. Website:

http://www.pitt.edu/~hirtle/uujec/white.html

Knapp, A. (2010, September 9). Irish Immigrants in America during the 19th Century, Website: http://www.kinsella.org/history/histira.htm

Jenson, R. (2002) "No Irish Need Apply": A Myth of Victimization; Journal of Social History 36.2 (2002) 405-429 Website: http://tigger.uic.edu/~rjensen/no-irish.htm

Hamill, P. (2007, March 27) 'Boss Tweed': The Fellowship of the Ring

Website: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/books/review/027HAMILL.html?_r=1&

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