We celebrate St. Patricks day
In the United States.
When I say “we,”
I mean most people,
Including those
Not of Irish ancestry.
Isn’t it odd,
That only 150 years ago
Irish were ruthlessly persecuted against,
Not considered white?
Today, the holiday is widely celebrated.
Over time,
The outsiders become the insiders.
As the insiders face the threat,
Of other, newer outsiders,
They welcome those first outsiders
To become insiders.
They find strength in numbers.
Can we imagine a time when,
150 years from now,
White America celebrates
Eid Al Fitr
Or
Diawli
Or
Chinese New Year?
Probably not.
But one of those holidays,
Or one not mentioned,
Might be constructed
Into the fold
And we will forget
The persecution of those
New insiders,
Those who were once outsiders.
When the winnowing majority
Finds it necessary
To adopt a new group,
To find new strength in numbers,
We will once again,
Reconstruct our understanding
Of race.
We will adopt the holidays of those
Who were once the outsiders,
And conveniently persecute
The other outsiders.
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