The need for American reconciliation is clearly evident. This week in America, millions took to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd, highlighting an unfair justice system that treats minorities unjustly and perpetuates inequality.
I have not published my regular blog content over the past week or so, as I’ve paused to take stock of all that is happening in America today.
To be honest, I’ve struggled to focus on the usual topics I share, celebrating our Irish heritage. I endeavored to write something intentional to grieve the deaths of people in the Black community, who've lost their lives purely because of the color of their skin. I struggled to find the right words.
I’ve been humbled and inspired to watch this movement spread across America and around the globe. I usually avoid writing about overly political or sensitive topics, but I decided this issue is too important for silence.
My words may be imperfect, but I wrote a poem to express my support and hope for reconciliation in America. Here it is...
American Reconciliation
- A Poem of Hope by Mairéad Geary
You stand united and inspired,
Moved by grief and despair,
By tortured memories, yoked to
Centuries of discrimination.
You search for lasting change
In the middle of a broken world,
Longing for peace and justice,
On a pilgrimage toward equality.
Today, let reconciliation take root,
In the recognition of your pain,
Your suffering, and your loss,
On a path you never freely chose.
May your truth and light restore
Our broken bonds and tarnished trust,
Building a bridge of hope over
A river of prejudice and blame.
May the sadness of our past,
Empower the possibilities of our future,
Where we flourish as one nation,
Connected by the potential of our shared dreams.
I support the peaceful protesters across the country, giving voice to the generations of Black people who suffered oppression, discrimination and death. I firmly believe that change must happen. As individuals, we all need to become more aware of our own unintentional complicity in supporting an unjust system.
I've contemplated the issue of race from an Irish American perspective, and realized the complexity of the relationship between the Irish and the Black communities of America.
These are two groups of people who suffered for centuries, but one has risen out of poverty and succeeded, primarily because of the difference in the color of their skin.
When the successes of the Irish American community are used to excuse racism, I cringe. When the accomplishments of those of African descent are compared to the accomplishments of those of Irish descent, I am saddened.
These racial comparisons ignore the fact that the Irish could always assimilate into society, could hide behind their lace curtains, and become silent people.
Our Irish forebears in America often buried their identities in their desperate attempts to be accepted. They were only afforded this opportunity because the color of their skin did not set them apart from the ruling classes.
In the past, I've mistakenly tried to compare the experiences of both communities in an effort to be empathetic to friends. But the Irish story and that of the Black community are not the same stories.
These are two distinct experiences, punctuated by one unmistakable difference - skin color. I now know that to people of color these comparisons are deeply hurtful. Each community has endured and survived hardship, but their experiences should never be equated, and neither should be diminished.
This is a difficult topic to discuss, but I believe we should embrace the opportunity to review and renew our commitments to creating a future based on the values of communication, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Truly supporting these initiatives means looking deeply at ourselves, examining the past, and finding ways to help everyone in this society pursue a brighter and happier future.
My prayer today goes like this...
May conversations about race begin in earnest in America.
May healing and forgiveness spread across communities.
May America reconcile with the sadness and inequities of its past.
And may the true empowerment of the Black community finally be achieved.
Thank you for stopping by, and affording me this opportunity to share my thoughts on this painful and difficult subject.
If you like literature and poetry, and especially Irish poetry here are some ramblings you might enjoy...
The Poetry of Joan Cusack Handler
Happy reading to all.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
Here are some other ramblings about all things Irish and Irish American, which you might like to explore.
Poetry
- Soul of Skellig - The Poetry of Anne Herridge
- What Is A Limerick?
- If I Were A Lady .... I'd Wear A Hat
- Finnegan's Wake, With An Apostrophe - In Memory of Irish Poet Paddy Finnegan
Irish Life
- How The Irish Celebrate Saint Paddy's Day
- Christmas Pantomimes - An Irish Cultural Tradition
- A Dip In The Forty Foot - A Dublin Christmas Tradition
- Irish You Were Here - Monthly Update From Anne Driscoll
Terry M. Johnson
Dear IAM, Thank you for your thoughtful poetic sentiment. During these trying times I'm reminded of the words Abraham Lincoln spoke in his 2nd inaugural address in which he so solemnly expressed his desire to see our country once again united and healed: "With malice towards none, with charity to all." Now is the time to revisit those words.
Irish American Mom
Hi Terry - Thank you for sharing that Abraham Lincoln quotation. It's so appropriate today, and definitely a time to revisit his important sentiments.
All the best, and thank you for reading this piece.
Mairéad
Mary O’Reilly
Thank you Mairead for your inspiring words. Silence is the enemy of truth.
Irish American Mom
So true, Mary. And as Americans we must all face the truth and reality of a difficult and sad past.
All the best,
Mairéad
Theresa
Thank you so much for this poem. It was beautifully said. I pray for peace and healing of these United States. May God always be with us.
Irish American Mom
I join you in your prayer, Theresa. May peace and healing begin.
All the best,
Mairéad
Patricia
Very well done. One of your most heartfelt and insightful posts, Mairead.
Irish American Mom
Thank you, Patricia. Your kind words mean a lot. This was a difficult piece to write, and one that put me on a path of soul searching. I'm so glad you found it insightful.
Take care,
Mairéad
Patricia Powers
Mairéad, thank you for your poem and your thoughtful words about the recent events here, which brought me to tears--especially the realization that the Irish American and African American experiences aren't comparable. I believe this primarily has to do with the fact that one group came here freely in hope and anticipation of a better life, and the other was stolen from their homeland and torn from their families to be brought here as slaves. While I won't say that my Irish and Italian ancestors who came to the US a century ago were much more than 2nd class citizens at first, they--as you rightly pointed out above--were able to assimilate because they were white, plain and simple.
I surely agree that a stronger comparison can be drawn between the Black struggle for equality and the historical Irish troubles, in that group oppression was key in both cases and that neither was afforded equal rights under the law--one because of religion, the other race. In the end it's all about power, and while laws can be passed that ostensibly protect, little will change fundamentally in this country until the children are taught from day 1 that we're all equal. For that I pray. Blessings to you, and be well and safe!
Irish American Mom
Hi Patricia - I agree with you, that the Irish experience on the island of Ireland was far closer to Black people's struggles in America, than what Irish American's experienced in the US. These are two different American stories, with different outcomes. But since time marches on, let's hope they do not have two different endings. We have not yet reached the end of this story of an evolving country, that I hope will now take a turn for the better and finally uplift the Black community. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on this important topic.
All the best,
Mairéad
Bob Moore
Your words are fitting to the times. They could also apply to the island of Ireland. As you say,
May the sadness of our past,
Empower the possibilities of our future,
Where we flourish as one nation,
Connected by the potential of our shared dreams.
Irish American Mom
Hi Bob - Those words in my final verse definitely can be applied to Ireland. We still need to make further changes in Ireland so that the entire island recognizes we are all connected. Our future, both in the north and south of the island, is powered by the potential of a shared dream. Not everyone understands the concept of a shared dream, and the recent Brexit situation brought this painfully to light.
Let's pray for healing in America and Ireland today.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Jean Mac Coy
Mairéad, thank you so much for your thoughts and words. The more we SPEAK about systemic racism, the more we LISTEN to those affected, the more we UNDERSTAND. Understanding allows for the path FORWARD to end it.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jean - Your comment beautifully sums up the situation we find ourselves in today. Moving forward together, will only be possible through speaking, listening and eventually understanding each other. Thank you for your wise words.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Josie
Dear Mairéad,
I'm so glad you went ahead and commented on the current Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S. We can't be silent about this any more. And your poem was both beautiful and wise! I plan to share it with others. So again, thank you for speaking up.
Josie
Irish American Mom
Hi Josie - I'm so glad you appreciate this effort. Initially, I felt unqualified to comment on this issue, but the more I pondered the situation this week, I came to understand that it's important not to be silent anymore. Black Lives Matter, and we must all come together to create change.
All the best,
Mairéad
Patrick OConnor
Thanks. Such a simple concept, yet so hard to accomplish - Love your brother...
So, just Thanks!
Irish American Mom
Hi Patrick - Love your brother - a simple concept for sure, but one the world has failed miserably at implementing. Seamus Heaney's "The Cure for Troy" includes a verse that goes like this:
"Human beings suffer,
They torture one another,
They get hurt and get hard.
No poem or play or song
Can fully right a wrong
Inflicted and endured."
There's such truth in his words. Thank you for reading my piece today.
All the best,
Mairéad
Tom Podnar
Thank you Mairéad--
The poem you have written and your thoughts here are a blessing to me at this time. I've had tears in my eyes off and on all week watching brave determined people forging companionship in the States but also around the world in support of people of color.
Greed stole our African brothers and sisters from their homeland and greed laid waste to our Irish brothers and sisters across their homeland.
I'm looking forward to the future also and thank you deeply for your insightful writing.
Irish American Mom
Hi Tom - Your words are so true: "Greed stole our African brothers and sisters from their homeland and greed laid waste to our Irish brothers and sisters across their homeland." It is time to put an end to this greed. It has pervaded our societies and we must work together for a more equitable society, with liberty, justice and healthcare for all. I added an extra one there, because I believe healthcare is a basic human right.
Thank you for taking the time to read this piece and add to our discussion today. I really appreciate it.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Joan M Rovere
Thank you for your thoughts today, they were perfect...we cannot ignore what is going on as we can never forget how our grandparents were treated and forced to leave the land of their birth.
Irish American Mom
Hi Joan - I listened to a poem this week, written by the Irish singer and artist, Imelda May. It is called, "You Don't Get To Be Racist and Irish." Here's a link ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYluS5kLit0
I think it's vital that Irish Americans understand that we cannot be racist, and that at times we can be part of the problem.
All the best, and thanks so much for stopping by.
Mairéad
Martha
Mairead, thank you for writing about the need to speak out about the injustice that we all see and hear on a daily basis. Your writing may touch a hard heart today and wake that heart up to what was intellectually known but not heart felt. Your poem, Seamus Heaney's poem ring true for both we Irish born people and Black people in today's America. Both poems speak of hope. Hope is all we have.
My father was inducted into the IRA on the 5th of September, 1917, as a 17 year old swearing an oath to Ireland to free Her from oppression. He and the other teenagers sworn in on that day had been in the Irish Volunteers since he and they were 13 years of age. Some of the men were a year or so older, some younger, but all suffered bodily harm, lifelong health problem, and at that time the scorn of their families, friends and neighbours, but they carried on and eventually saw Ireland free from domination.
Medals and land were granted to them in 1948. My father died in 1943.
All of this is to say that while the black people have suffered for hundreds of years they will like the Irish win their rightful place in America and be no different from you or me in pursuit of happiness. As in Ireland during the many Troubles (over 800 years) lives be sacrificed but in the very near future I believe true freedom and justice will be won by all black and brown skinned people.
Hope will win the day. Thank you for your good intentions, you did the right thing writing about this sorrow that we are all living through and let us keep hope alive always.
Irish American Mom
Dear Martha - Thank you for sharing your father's story. I have two thirteen year old boys and I cannot imagine them being recruited into an organization such as the Irish Volunteers. They're still so young and have so much to learn about the world. The early decades of the 20th century were difficult times in Ireland. We tend to forget the sacrifices made by men like your father, who put their lives on the line, to ensure Ireland could be a free country. They lived with the aftermath and adverse affects on their health for the rest of their lives. Your father was so young when he died at 43.
I agree with you, that hope will win the day with time. Peace, justice and love will eventually unite us all.
Thanks again for adding to our conversation.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deborah Ogden
Thank you for your beautiful poem. All lives matter regardless of their color. Many races have been oppressed in this country. Please don't forget the Native Americans and their plight.
Irish American Mom
Hi Deborah - The Native Americans too have suffered so much. They do not share in the American dream with poor healthcare and education. We have a long way to go to ensure liberty and justice for all.
All the best,
Mairéad
Gary Cook
A very beautiful poem most definitely from the heart —thank you for sharing! I join your prayers and wishes for Light , Love and Peace to prevail. Beannacht!
Irish American Mom
Hi Gary - Thank you for taking time to read this poem and for joining all the readers here who are praying for a better tomorrow.
All the best,
Mairéad
Lynn
Thank you so much for your poem, and for sharing your thoughts about this important subject, which is entirely appropriate and welcome, since we can't change anything if we keep silent about it. My favorite lines of your poem are "You stand united and inspired/On a pilgrimage toward equality/Connected by the potential of our shared dreams"; clearly, you are a talented writer. Thank you for having the courage and compassion to write and share it.
It really will be, as you wrote, a pilgrimage--a holy walk. I hope and imagine the Holy Trinity together smiling, encouraging, and directing this. It's about time we actually acted like brothers and sister, like children of God, and this time the energy seems different--but also the same, as in the precipice of other great changes we've had in our nation. This feels more hopeful and people seem resolute to not go back, only forward. It will be long and difficult and painful to hear long held truths, but is definitely possible, and ultimately well worth it.
We need to keep the conversation going in our nation. It did help with the Troubles/unrest in Ireland. Our family used to donate to camps in the U.S. that brought Protestant and Catholic children from Ireland together to learn that they had more similarities than differences, and to form friendships to help bring peace to Ireland. It was, as is often said, chopping at the root of the issue, rather than the branches. We do think it helped in that situation, and it can help in this one. We have to come together and listen and learn and form relationships to care about each other as much as we do ourselves, as the Bible tells us to do. As Dr. Revered King wrote, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Since you want to keep politics at a minimum, I will respect that, but would just like to add--which you can, of course, eliminate from this post if you like--that I hope everyone who is eligible, and wants to vote in any upcoming election, will be able to do that freely and safely. Vote by mail has worked very well in our state for years, is very convenient and secure, and I hope that will be an option in every state and U.S. territory for anyone who wants it in the future. Marches and protests are important, but it is votes--collective voices--that really are the catalyst to help make systemic and lasting changes.
Irish American Mom
Hi Lynn - Thank you for taking the time to write such an insightful comment and for adding to our discussion. I really appreciate it.
I chose the word pilgrimage carefully when writing this poem. I believe it adds a spiritual aspect to the journey that is ahead of all Americans, as we strive to achieve true equality for everyone.
The program your family supported, that brought Protestant and Catholic children from Northern Ireland to the US to learn about their similarities was a wonderful idea. Unfortunately schools in Northern Ireland today still remain segregated, with Catholics and Protestants being educated separately. Schools are located where people live, and Catholics and Protestants still seem to live in their own little enclaves in the bigger towns and cities of Northern Ireland. This is not so much of an issue in the Republic of Ireland.
Integrating education is so important to lay the foundation for a more just and understanding future. One issue I have with our education system in America, is that it is funded by property taxes. This means that wealthy areas have better schools, better facilities, equipment and books. I firmly believe that all schools should have the same funding, so that children with poorer parents are afforded the same opportunities as children with wealthy parents. (I know I said I try to keep away from political topics, but every now and then we just have to vent.)
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the power of voting. The Irish succeeded in America because they were keenly aware of the power of democracy and the vote. They banded together in cities like New York and Chicago and used the power of their collective votes to elect the candidates of their choice. But that's a story for another day. I hope voter turnout will set records this year, because no matter how people vote, the simple act of voting is one of the most patriotic things we can do.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Cheryl Barker
Such a wonderful and meaningful post, Mairéad. Loved your poem and your prayer for America. Especially loved the subtitle of your poem because it is indeed a poem of hope. And I especially loved the lines:
"Building a bridge of hope over
A river of prejudice and blame."
God bless, Mairéad -- and may he guide and bless our nation. We need him so!
Irish American Mom
Hi Cheryl - Thanks for checking out my poem - let's pray for peace and reconciliation throughout America. I hope there are better times ahead for everyone.
I hope you are keeping safe and that all your family and loved ones are well.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jeff
Mairéad,
Thank you for the touching words. But I wish that you would post as normal. There is no reason that you can't post as usual and still post as you have here.
Irish American Mom
Hi Jeff - I'll have new posts to publish this week. I've been working on some technical issues around emails this week and finishing the recipe e-book. Lots more ramblings to be shared in the days and months ahead.
All the best,
Mairéad
Holly Dobbs
Greetings! I would like to request permission to utilize your poem 'American Reconciliation' for a peace ceremony. Would you kindly email me?
Irish American Mom
Hi Holly - You are more than welcome to use my poem. Thanks for reading it and appreciating the message within these words.
All the best,
Mairéad