Danny O’Sullivan, a third generation Berkeley resident and Master Carpenter has assembled a group of like minded Irish Americans who are out in force today with a message that it is beyond time to end St. Patrick’s day in America. The group has assembled at the corner of Solano and Santa Fe to protest the appropriation of their culture by others that use it as an excuse to perpetuate negative stereotypes around Irish culture.
Said O’ Sullivan, “Everyone just thinks it’s a good time and a reason to get drunk on green beer. Why? Because, well, the Irish, in addition to being pasty skinned, love to get schnockered, right?” He went on, “well, what’s good about that? How is that any different than applying any negative stereotype to any other culture. For some reason it’s OK to mock the Irish, why? because we are pasty.”
…because we are pasty?
Danny O’Sullivan
Conor McGarrity, another local Irish-American who was unable to attend the protest as he was working at his second job as a blacksmith, but was reached by phone said, “Honestly, as a pale skinned Irish American, forever needing to watch my tongue lest I upset anyone due to all of my inherent privilege, it seems like it is my turn to get upset about all the negative stereotypes St. Patrick’s Day applies to my culture. So, damnit, I am outraged. Just outraged! It’s time to put an end to this madness!”
The group will be on the corner until 5. Feel free to join them for a drink afterwards at the Hibernian Pub where they will be until they pass out, get arrested or the bars close.