Racial "Holidays"

Ya know, every year, someone asks something about St. Patty's day bring out the Irish in us, or Cinco de Mayo bringing out the Mexican, or whatever.  

     You know, I can’t think of a doggone thing about St Patrick’s day that brings out the “Irish” in me.  I can’t even fathom why we, as Americans, have a national holiday to honor a Catholic Saint who had nothing to do with our country whatsoever.  I bet most Catholics the world over don’t even celebrate St Patrick’s day.  Why do we?  I suppose, like Cinco de Mayo, it is simply an excuse for Americans all over the country to let loose for a little bit, have some fun, celebrate something, celebrate anything.  If you are actually of Irish heritage, you certainly have more of a reason to celebrate than the rest of us, since this holiday is heavily celebrated in Irelend, but I tend to think it is a bit silly.  We shouldn’t be celebrating a class of people, or one specific lineage over another.  Do French Americans have their own excuse to party?  Maybe Bastille Day?  (Woo Hoo)…How about African Americans?  Polish Americans? You get the drift…

     So, it can’t be about being Irish, can it?  So,  it is an excuse to wear green and party (translation…drink) for most observers, right?  By equating St Partick’s Day celebrations with “bringing out the Irish in us”, are we really perpetuating a long held stereotype that the Irish are heavy drinkers?   Is this a good thing?

     I choose to look at it another way.  Celebrating green, and clover, in March, is an excuse to look forward to spring, something green and nice, when the actual weather is still a bit cold and dreary.  If you can get a day off work for it, all the better.  Who cares what the holiday was originally about, or the negative stereotypes it perpetuates?  Do you?  Me, I’ll stay “American”, thank you very much.  St Patty’s Day  doesn’t bring out any “Irish” in me. It’s just another day lots of people celebrate without knowing why.