It must have been a cultural shock to the Irish Catholic priests when they arrived in the Rio Grande Valley parishes of South Texas. They saw their flock face racism and injustice. Segregation was in full bloom. It surely did not have the scent of a rose.
I remember seeing a 1940s era black and white photograph of the Irish priests and their Mexican-American youth choir. It looked like a picture of a championship football team and its coaches.
The good Padres encouraged their parishioners to fight for their rights. To March against injustice and bigotry.
The Irish Generals offered a strategy of Unity, Faith, Love, Resistance and Song!
You were to sing in a strong voice not a loud one. Let your enemy know you do not fear them. You sing to GOD. How can fear and evil stand a chance?
The fight went through the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Civil Rights and Farmworker strikes.
WE were taught to fight hard. Always fight for your rights and against racism.
My 92 year old mother lived through Segregation. Signs read No Dogs No Negroes No Mexicans.
4 houses down the Klu Klux Klan would meet to decide what to do with "Mexicans".
WE knew Donald Trump was a Racist Enemy to take seriously when he called Mexicans "rapists and drug dealers".
WE have endured 4 years of his bigotry and incompetence.
Look at how he has damaged America.
This November 3, 2020 WE voted against Trump in the presidential election.
Biden was declared the winner today!
OUR Irish generals would would be happy for US.
Father Gerry would say "Well Done, Troops!
The Power Was In OUR Hands All Along.
WE DEFEATED TRUMP!
No comments:
Post a Comment