Some historians have noted that the Irish was the ethnic group that suffered the most upon their arrival in New York from Ireland. The Irish immigrated to New York for different reason. Some came because of religious persecution, some to escape death by starvation, others because of economic hardships and some just to start over.
Those that came not only left behind their family and friends, but traded a life they knew for one that was only a dream in their minds. In the Irish mythology to go west was to die.An American Wake was held for those that were leaving because they would never see each other again. In other words they were dead to those remaining in Ireland.
On the way to the new country many suffered terrible hardships. The ships and boats that they as well as many immigrants sailed on were usually filled with diseases, not enough food or the food was spoiled. Many had to bury loved ones at sea.
When the Irish landed on the shores of the new land, America, many continued their journey inland. Others remained close to where they had landed. They stayed in the surrounding cities of which New York City was one.
Most had little money and very few skills. They ended up residing in the poorest part of NYC. Their life expectancy was no more than forty years. Half or more of the arrests in NYC were Irish immigrants. They lived with violence in their streets, they were hated and had to deal with widespread prejudice. Newspaper cartoonist drew cartoons representing them as backward drunken apes, editorials were wanting them to be forced to go back to Ireland. American society viewed the Irish as uneducated and dirty slobs. Society did not like their foreign religion and thought that they had way to many children. Political groups were formed to push the Irish back and there were signs in all windows that the Irish need not apply for work.
Then there came the breaking point. The Irish made NYC’s first and most notorious street gangs. They preformed backbreaking labor for little pay. They took the jobs that no one else wanted. They swept streets, became servants, did laundry, and labored in sweat shops. They also became firemen and police officers.
They comprised of fifteen percent of the Union Army. Some of them joined as soon as they got off the boats. They started to take things on their on terms, they did not wait for America to give them a chance.
They dominated the politics of NYC, helping their own. They shed blood, and sweat to build the Croton Aqueduct, Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge. Their sons, who where the first generation Americans, would build the skyscrapers including the Empire State Building.
It was their grandchildren or great-grandchildren who would rush to Manhattan one September day to try to save lives from burning towers. Many gave their lives.
The Irish have done their part and are still doing their part for the city that their forefathers helped to build. They have sacrificed much as it is with each culture that helped start the this nation of ours.
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