“I feel so Americanized that I wouldn’t identify with any of my ethnicities.”
Irish traditional cuisine that Ethan’s mom makes
It’s actually difficult to get a immigration narrative from a person, whose family came to U.S. more than a century ago, and barely has any memory about immigration. My interviewee is Ethan, whose family came from Ireland centuries ago during the Irish famine happened between 1845 and 1852. For him, even for his parents, and his grandparents, the memory of their immigration history is dim and vague. But there are still some Irish influence on his family, for example, on his mother’s side, there’s a good amount of Irish pride, usually exemplified on St. Patrick’s Day or while cooking some Irish traditional cuisine such as Irish stew. However, besides that, Ethan feels totally Americanized, and he will only identify himself as only American, not Irish-American.
“I never have the chance to visit Ireland since I was born”
Ethan’s ancestors came from county Mayo of Ireland. However, Ethan’s Irish root has barely any influence on him, although sometimes he may be joked on, from his no
Irish gather together to celebrate during St Patrick’s day.
n-white friends. Although most of the discrimination toward Irish happened in around 19th century, and Irish culture has all but been erased in America aside from St. Patrick’s Day. Ethan never have the chance to visit Ireland, largely because he has no impression about Ireland when he grew up. However, he did express his interest of ever visit Ireland someday. His family member went back to Ireland five years ago, and Ethan was too young to go with them. He hopes that he could join them during their next trip to Ireland. He heard that Ireland is a beautiful country with gorgeous landscape, especially during summer time, and people there are welcoming and out-going.
An image of Mayo where Ethan’s ancestors came from.
Ethan’s family has moved several times, and settled in different places in New York City. His grandparents’ grandparent moved from Ireland during potato famine, and decided to stay in New York due to its proximity to Ellis island. His grandfather was born in Bronx, and his grandmother was raised in Hell’s Kitchen, which is in midtown west of Manhattan). His grandparents then moved to long Island during the housing boom in the 50s, with suburban area like Levittown being built. And his parents moved to New York for the job opportunities available there after college, but moved back to the suburban area of Long Island after Ethan was born.
“I personally think America has been and should always be a hub for immigrants and a lace for immigrants to feel welcome.”
When I asked Ethan “What do you think of those new comers?”. He didn’t express any disdain toward them. He believes that American is, and should always be the melting pot for people who have passion toward life and have ambition to be successful. Ethan said that American is a nation founded by immigrants and acting otherwise would not only be unethical but also hypothetical. He doesn’t view anyone, documented or undocumented, as an “intruder”, although his grandparents might. They believe they “earned” where they are s American and anyone trying to sneak in is stealing their benefits of being a citizen. Although I don’t necessarily with this idea, but it is understandable for me since I believe that may people may feel protective toward places where they grow up, and feel alerted if there are large number of “outsiders” coming in. However, after all, Ethan thinks that America can welcome anyone who have dreams.
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