My trip to the Emerald Isle caused me to fall in love with the land and its people. I will share one of the host of great experiences I had there. We had stopped in Callan because the timing belt on our rental car had broken and we were awaiting a replacement vehicle which was being sent from Limerick. During our delay, I went shopping and got into a conversation with one of the local businessmen.
On seeing me, he gave me the typical Irish 100-megawatt smile. But it was what he said during the course of our talk that really tied the knot between me and Ireland.
Noting that I am a black American he said, “I have always admired your people and am glad to have finally met one. We have so much in common.”
I was astounded by his statement and replied, “Excuse me. What possible connection could there be between your people and mine, between our ancestors, even? What would you know or even understand about the sufferings my people endured under slavery and the horrible Jim Crow laws and the segregation they imposed after slavery was abolished?”
“Ah, lad,” he answered with a sad smile. “You don’t understand. We Irish were slaves in our own country. You don’t know how cruel English rule was here, how much we suffered. In every conceivable way, it was the same as what your people went through in America. That is the link between your people and mine, and many of us here are conscious of it.”
The conversation went further and deeper and when it ended, I had a better understanding of Ireland’s complex history than I ever had before. Let me suffice to say that I can’t wait to return. Next time, though, I plan to drive around the perimeter of the island, along its wild and fabled coastline, as well as seeing its villages, towns and cities, and most of all, its wonderful people.
Quendi
