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Title: How Ignatiev Condemned the Irish for Racism in America
Review: Im always struck by how ignorant academia is of race, class, and ethnic relations in America. Although it is true the Irish suffered for centuries under English (British) rule and were treated horribly in America, intermarriage and cultural similarities probably had more to do with their integration into WASP society than a concerted, organized effort to keep blacks down. Just as the Irish were blamed for all sorts of social ills in the 19th Century: violence, alcoholism, orphans, ghettoes, crime, etc., now Ignatiev wants to blame racism on the Irish. Having white skin clearly worked to the advantage of the Irish and many gained acceptance in a Protestant, Anglo Saxon nation but Ignatiev goes too far in judging and generalizing the entire Irish race when many fought against slavery, racism and inequality, especially in labor. Ignatiev seems to have a bone to pick with the Irish, heaven knows they have been oppressed and ridiculed enough already!
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