Who Do I Think You Are?

The strangest thing happened to me today. Two different people in two different, unrelated situations said to me: "You look Irish!" What's even more strange is that in my 50 plus years no one has ever said that to me, so to have it happen twice in the same day is just mind boggling. The second person also said that if I was to go to Ireland I would understand why he'd say that. So tonight I got to thinking about this statement and I wonder, how does one "look Irish"? Or Jewish? Or italian? Or American? Or....well, you get the idea. Lately I've been enamored with anything and everything Irish. My favorite musical group is from Ireland; I have a friend who lives in Ireland; there were quite a few Irish nationals on QVC's St. Patty's day tribute. I don't have red hair and a smattering of freckles. Neither do any of the people mentioned above. Which begs the question, why do I associate red hair and freckles with Irish people? Is there a certain section of Ireland where people with red hair and freckles abound? And even if that were so, why is that the only type of people I associate with being Irish? I wonder how much of it has to do with our entertainment culture. I mean, how many movies have portrayed Irish nationals - or even Irish Americans - like I've described?

On the other side of the coin, why do we (yes WE) judge where a person comes from based on the color of his skin or the slant of her eyes or even by his name? I worked for a lawyer a few years ago that was almost as white as me. Turns out she is actually African American. I would not have known that had she not told me. I also have a friend who - because of her slightly slanted eyes - looks very oriental and who I thought was such when I first saw her. She, too, is African American with no oriental blood in her as far as she's traced her family back.

And on yet another side of the coin (so the coin has 3 sides - remember this is MY blog!) for those of us immersed in researching our family history, some of those things such as skin color, defining features, and names can be a remarkable aide in helping us trace our ancestors.

So in light of all this, I don't know whether or not I look Irish, but yes, I am VERY Irish. And I am very proud to be an Irish American.