Common
How the Irish Became White
Non fiction book by Noel Ignatiev
How the Irish Became White
How the Irish Became White is a nonfiction book by Noel Ignatiev, first published by Routledge in 1995. The book is based on Ignatiev's PhD thesis at Harvard University. Considered a cultural-studies classic by many historians of racial and ethnic history, How the Irish Became White traces the Irish immigrant experience in the United States: starting as outcasts from the white Protestant majority in the 19th century only to become enthusiastic proponents of America's racist society. When asked why he wrote the book, he explained: The country is divided into masters and slaves. A big political problem is that many of the slaves think they are masters, or at least side with the masters at crucial moments—because they think they are white. I wanted to understand why the Irish, coming from conditions about as bad as could be imagined and thrown into low positions when they arrived, came to side with the oppressor rather than with the oppressed. Imagine how history might have been different...
Open boosters, collect cards and trade them. Free to play.
Play for free