For the Irish Worldwide, A Growing Sense That ‘Enough Is Enough’

NEW YORK - March 5, 2014 - PRLog -- “Irish I Were Drunk” -- huh?

Sadly, you can readily find these words emblazoned on merchandise at a retailer near you!

It’s nearly March, and, once again, open season on the good name the Irish have burnished through centuries of hard work and enterprise worldwide.

It is particularly ironic, and despicable, that marketers -- driven by purely mercenary motives -- feel free to undermine the hard-earned good name of the Irish with facile slogans adorning caps and tee shirts suggesting not only that being Irish offers cover for overindulging, but that it is a precursor for this excess.

Even more pernicious, the National Ancient Order of Hibernians points out, are retailers’ targeting of young people worldwide with the message that it is enjoyable, as well as acceptable, to don an Irish identity and celebrate Irish culture by means of public intoxication.

It’s no accident that the tens of millions of Irish around the globe, borne from a small island nation on the fringe of Europe, have been credited by many scholars with saving Western civilization. Irish surnames populate the pantheon of heroes of the scores of democracies they helped build, most notably, perhaps, the United States.

Irish humanitarian agencies have traveled far and wide in their effort to alleviate poverty, and create a fair and just global society. Irish artists -- filmmakers, novelists, poets, creatives in nearly every field of endeavor --  are beloved, with their work translated into dozens of languages, including Irish.

“We at The Wild Geese and many others are signing a petition asking those of Irish ancestry and all of good faith to stop supporting marketers whose products disparage the Irish and other ethnic groups,” said Ryan O’Rourke, content coordinator of www.TheWildGeese.com, the online community of the global Irish. “Among the most egregious of these is Spencer’s Gifts. The defaming items for sale online and at Spencer’s stores include a hat with the phrase ‘Irish Girl Wasted,’ ‘St. Pat’s Drinking Team,’ ‘Drinking Other Bitches Under the Table,’ and another shamrock-emblazoned shirt proudly announcing ‘Drunkest Bitch at the Bar.’”

The Wild Geese applauds and supports the The Ancient Order of Hibernians’ ongoing campaign against Spencer’s Gifts, Walmart, and other marketers using slurs to cash in on Ireland’s national holiday, a holiday extraordinarily universal and beloved, with parades taking place in more than 100 cities, villages, and hamlets worldwide, drawing in hundreds of thousands of marchers and many more millions of cheering spectators.

“Irish or not, we ask that you sign our petition to help make it clear to marketers that people of good faith -- drawn from the entire world’s vast ethnic mosaic -- are watching and won’t support businesses who trade on cultural stereotypes, as we celebrate what is both unique and praiseworthy in us all,” said Gerry Regan, the community’s executive producer.

To sign the petition, go to http://thenewwildgeese.com/profiles/blogs/st-pat-s-drinking-team-taking-on-irish-stereotypes

Who:The Wild Geese, at www.TheWildGeese.com, is an online community devoted to exploring, preserving, promoting and celebrating the epic heritage of the Irish … worldwide. The Wild Geese community has drawn more than 1,700 members in its first year and draws more than 5,000 visits per week to its thousands of pages.

What: Petition opposing Spencer’s Gifts and other retailers who diminish the hard-earned good name of the Irish with glib messages adorning caps and tee-shirts, suggesting not only that being Irish offers cover for overindulging, but that extends an invitation to do so. Add your name to the petition at http://thenewwildgeese.com/profiles/blogs/st-pat-s-drinking-team-taking-on-irish-stereotypes

When: Leading up to St. Patrick’s Day and ongoing.

Where: Worldwide

Why: Because, Irish or not, signing this petition makes it clear to marketers that people of good faith—drawn from the world’s vast ethnic mosaic—are watching and won’t support businesses who trade on cultural stereotypes, as we celebrate what is both unique and praiseworthy in all of us.

For more information contact:

Gerry Regan  ger@TheWildGeese.com