The Controversy of St. Patrick's Day
St. Patrick's Day, a holiday celebrated on March 17th, is known for its festivities filled with parades, green beer, and shamrocks. However, the holiday has not been without controversy. Many critics argue that the modern-day celebrations have strayed far from the holiday's religious and cultural origins. Once steeped in tradition and cultural significance, has taken a turn towards the overly commercial. What was once a day to celebrate Irish heritage and the patron saint of Ireland has now become a sea of green merchandise and excessive partying. As a religious holiday, this also introduces the history of Irish religion and the antagonistic views on how religion evolved on the green isle.
When Did Green Beer and Leprechauns Take Over?
In the past, St. Patrick's Day was a time for communities to come together, attend church services, and participate in parades honoring Irish culture. Families would gather for meals featuring traditional Irish dishes, and children would learn about the history and significance of the holiday. However, as the years passed, the focus shifted from cultural celebration to commercialization.
The transformation of St. Patrick's Day into a commercialized spectacle can be attributed to the rise of marketing and consumerism. Businesses saw an opportunity to capitalize on the holiday by selling themed merchandise, promoting excessive drinking, and perpetuating offensive stereotypes of leprechauns and pots of gold. What was once a day of reverence has now become synonymous with green beer and partying.
An Authentically Good Time
Respecting the spirit of the holiday doesn't mean you have to put down your green beer or pack up all of your shamrock decor and send it to Goodwill. There are ways to reclaim the true spirit of the holiday and still imbibe and enjoy some Irish cuisine. The aspects of the holiday deserving of change are the gauche outfits and tacky commercialized decor that invoke stereotypes that don't honor Irish culture. Stay away from the leprechaun suit, for example. Instead learn about the history of the holiday, the Irish culture and support local Irish businesses and for goodness sake, no pinching! Here are some alternatives to the kitschy commercial options:
- Beer alternative: Uhhh...Guinness, of course! Murphy and Beamish are alternatives for taste and regional favorites. For those looking to imbibe on something a bit less heavy, Magners (Bulmers if you're in Ireland) is a very popular hard cider and can be found in most Irish pubs. Of course, a nice cuppa tea can do nicely...not as fun, but better if you've got work the next day.
- Food alternative: Sure, salty steamy corned beef and cabbage is is a hearty meal after a few beers and will surely be served everywhere, but not so much in Ireland. If you find yourself with more options, try out some of the traditional Irish dishes, many savory stews and pies, that are sure to be just as comforting.
- Style alternatives: Did you know St. Paddy's color was actually sky blue? Now, only the purely traditional would celebrate by sporting blue instead of green on the day...green is certainly the accepted color for the saint and you won't get any strange looks. The shamrock is not only acceptable, but the symbol of Ireland and associated with the teachings of St. Patrick. Stay away from the gaudy, "Kiss me I'm Irish" and other slogans pasted across your green t-shirt and definitely don't wear a four-leaf clover. The four-leaf clover is an entirely different symbol and not associated with Ireland or the holiday. One authentic way to express your pride is to sport a rugby jersey in support of your favorite club.
Ready to Celebrate?
No matter your background, if you want celebrate the Irish holiday, do it in style. Demonstrate to all that a tasteful and subdued tip-of-the-hat to our friends of the Emerald Isle is a superior way to honor the day. You also don't have to run around trying to convince everyone that you're 1/64th Irish on your father's side in order to participate. Enjoying the spirit of the festivities means you don't need to over-try to indulge.
