For many years, and especially in the 1600's, the Irish were the main source of slaves sent from England to America and the West Indies. Did you know that?
I am Irish by heritage, and until recently, I had never heard of these Irish slaves.
I have done a great deal of research now, and have written an article about these forgotten victims of a horrible practice. I want to try to publish it somewhere, so I have to look and see who is buying historical pieces, but in the meantime, I wanted certain select people to be able to read it pre-publication. So what I've done is put it on my personal website as a private page, not advertised.
I would really appreciate it if some of you would go read it, and give me feedback about it here. I want to hear some opinions, and I want to know if other people knew about this, as well.
Here's the link:
http://www.rhettaakamatsu.com/irishslaves.htm
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Comments: 44
Off to read your page now.
I thought Black Irish were dark eyed, dark haired Irish. Since I had dark hair but blue eyees, (I am one quarter Irish) sometimes people here in Boston called me Black Irish. Now I am blonde so...
The Mother of one of my best friends is 100% Irish (from Cork I think?) immigrating here after WWII. She still carries a historic grudge, and wouldn't give an "Englishman" the time of day, LOL. Spunky little thing, the perfect stereotype... and super cool lady, ha ha.
Thanks for the link with all the information, take care.
Would it be possible to have just a paragraph or so at the beginning to tell how this relationship between the Irish and the English came to be? I'm terrible in my knowledge of history. Maybe others already know. But I felt like I started reading in the 2nd or 3rd paragraph.
Such a horendous situation. Was there an incident? Had they lived near one another independantly at one time and England conquered them? Did the Irish migrate into that area after England already owned it?
I found myself needing to have a word of explanation.
Leaving that behind, the article was amazing. It makes me want to learn more. In this day and age it is hard for any of us to imagine how human beings allowed themselves to make slaves of other humans. But had we lived in that age I suppose we would have been just as blind as the people of that time.
Thanks for the information.
Only one comment. In the sentence "the planters found another way to insure a free supply of valuable slaves", I believe the correct word is "ensure" rather than "insure". I know a lot of people mix those two words up, so it is becoming acceptable to interchange them, but "insure" implies that an insurance policy was taken out, while "ensure" means "to make certain".
While it is of little benefit to live in the past, I think this is an important piece of history that has long been overlooked.
A lot of slaves were taken from Ireland to Australia. There is a very sad song -
"The Fields of Athenry." The Bachelors do a good rendition of it.
It's about a man about to go to Botany Bay on one of those ships.
Kathryn, there are two meanings for "Black Irish." There are the black-haired, blue-eyed Irishmen you are referring to, and the ones who live in the West Indies who are of mixed blood.
Amy, you're right about "ensure." That was careless of me.
Lora, there has been some talk online about the need for some sort of memorial. I saw that when I was doing the research. But I doubt anything will come of it.
I did not know about this and wouldn't think you'd have a problem finding a publisher. Boston Magazine comes to mind.
Good Luck!
It is unfortunate that, while the descendents of black slaves have kept their history alive and not allowed their atrocity to be forgotten, the Irish heritage of slavery in America and the West Indies has been largely ignored or forgotten. It is my hope that this article will help in some small way to change that and to commemorate these unfortunate people.
Blacks have mocked there history and the only history today I see as you staed kept alive (as far as persecution) has been the Jews. They kept there pain alive well. Now I do thing blacks are finally bringing it out more and I think the IRISH should as well.
These are two races that have so much in common and for the lack of actually reading they habe not seen it yet.
YOUR ARTICLE ISBEAUTIFUL. 10 +++
THIS IS SO AHRD TO FIND. WHAT HISTORY? THEY DO NOT EVEN KNOW THERE OWN LANGUAGE.
I like your article, it appears to be based on solid research, is well written and the only complaint I had, along with Kathryn, was the white-on-black. It is hard on anyone with an astigmatism.
Thank you for sending your article. I knew that there were Irish slaves. My Great Grandmother was a Irish Scrub Woman. I was lucky enough to have known her as a child and into my late teens. Good luck with your article I think it is excellent.