NYIC Stands in Solidarity Against Injustice

A message from NYIC Executive Director Paul Finnegan

The New York Irish Center is greatly disturbed by the recent death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of law enforcement. It is a stark reminder of the underlying injustices that are the counter-examples that have long blotted the ideal image we all hold in our minds for this great country.  Sadly, we know that these injustices often lie in the divisiveness of racism, in all its forms.  It is the stain that has truly been the single biggest obstacle to the pursuit of happiness for every American.  Of all the groups that have been oppressed by discrimination in the United States, and this includes the Irish, African Americans have felt its cruel hand more than any others.

The New York Irish Center is in solidarity with all those who stand against this discrimination and racism.  Our stance is in keeping with our track-record of seeking to unite, not divide, be it our work with the LGBTQ community via our networking series, The Story Continues, or our exploration of the increasing population of mixed-race Irish in our great city through our hosting, in conjunction with the Cuala Foundation, of Lorraine Maher's #IAmIrish exhibit, and beyond.         

Being keenly familiar with the divided land of Ireland, we abhor injustice wherever we see it, and we believe in the right to protest.  We cannot give in to those whose business it is to divide us, and we must not fight injustice with injustice.  As my mother, may she rest in peace, would often say, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Therefore, we must remember that there are countless public servants, police and politicians alike, who step out into an uncertain world every day and sincerely want to make it a better one.  

We must continue to have faith that our better natures as a people will carry the day, but recent events remind us there is still much work to be done.

Paul Finnegan
Executive Director
New York Irish Center