It is wrong to treat the Irish people with such disdain.
At a town hall meeting on Friday in Delaware, President Joe Biden drew on his Irish history to discuss the nation’s soldiers while also highlighting his own ancestry.
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“I may be Irish, but I’m not stupid,” Biden said.
“I married Dominic Giacoppa’s daughter, so, you know, I got a little Italian in me now.”
Good, then.
Washington Examiner writer Jerry Dunleavy noted that Biden had previously made an equally impolite statement after the remark.
As long as it is well expressed, self-deprecating humor may make a strong point. Unfortunately, using superficial parallels to ignorance in order to dismiss Irishness would be seen as both disrespectful and uninformed.
Could one imagine a political leadership that was more diversified and allowed people of all backgrounds to speak without fear of reinforcing stereotypes? A leader who is black or Native American shouldn’t have to fear that showing pride in their ancestry would be seen negatively; on the contrary, it would arouse outrage.
Although Biden’s remark on the “stupid Irish” may come across as a lighthearted remark, it really has its roots in historical biases and injustices experienced by Irish Americans. It acknowledges the pervasiveness of prejudice throughout history.
Irish immigrants encountered an inhospitable America where discrimination met them at every step as they fled their famine-stricken country.
Over 30 million Americans proudly identify as Irish-Americans, demonstrating the Irish influence that has endured in the country. Despite encountering prejudice when they first arrived, their enthusiasm and tenacity have led to great accomplishment throughout America’s history.
The Irish heritage of American presidents has often been celebrated, from John F. Kennedy to the recently elected Joe Biden. In fact, it may be claimed that when ranking America’s POTUS, only those of Anglo-Saxon ancestry are superior to them!
Despite the negative perception of Irish Americans, Biden often pays tribute to his roots in a positive way.
Both Joe Biden and his statement about the “stupid Irish” are no longer relevant in today’s culture.
