Journal for tbrounst

So, something you might not know: Ireland takes a lot of pride in its county. A lot of pride. No, more than that. It puts America to shame, really. Like, we talk about loving our country and our pride to be American, but that’s really nothing compared to this.

The best way I can think to describe this is metaphor. Imagine that the way the Irish feel about Ireland is like a newly married couple. All overly lovey, sickening to friends and family. You know, those people who are adorable, just a little obnoxious. Or really obnoxious. Whatever. In this scenario, Americans are an older couple hitting middle age. They like each other, I guess, but they don’t really do anything. They’re just sort of still in a relationship.

I feel the reasons for this are pretty simple: America had a relatively easy time gaining independence. The struggle was only a few years long, and after that Britain mostly left us alone (except for in 1812 when we invaded Canada…a goal we still aspire to). Ireland…well, if you think Ireland’s struggle for independence was easy you’re sort of an idiot. They had to fight hard for it. They had to fight to speak the language, play their sports, practice their religion. Theirs was a culture that was nearly exterminated, and they brought it back from the brink.

So, is it any surprise, really, that they’re so passionate about their culture? That they are so proud of their literature, so in love with their sports? When you fight for something it’s so much sweeter than it being handed to you. America’s struggle for freedom was minute by comparison, and over two hundred years ago. Ireland’s struggle, on the other hand, spanned hundreds of years, and arguably is just now nearing its completion with the peace that has settled over Northern Ireland. Even at the most generous, you could only say Ireland gained independence in 1922, which is still modern memory (1822 is still modern memory here…).

It’s just something I realized. The way they feel about their country is clearly very different than the way we feel about ours. Our pride seems to be more instilled as a matter of habit, speaking words and phrases that have lost much meaning to us, loving it because it’s the land we grew up on. Their pride, though, seems to be made from something deeper, from the sacrifices of those who have come before them and the struggles that they have endured.

The irony, of course, is that by trying to destroy Irish culture, the conquers made the Irish love it even more.

(And I’m finally reaching my goal of shorter blog posts!)