The Los Angeles Times ran a piece in 2001 on the Black Irish. The Irish that imigrated to the U.S. in the early 1800s were for the most part at the bottom of the social-economic ladder. The Times indicated the term “black Irish” started because the many of the Irish had the social standing of to the black slaves in the U.S.
M20E
Hello M20E welcome to the Straightdope Which column are you commenting on? Is it the undated Who are the “black Irish”? or the 1993 coulmn Who are the “black Irish”?
It helps everyone to get on the same page.
They’re the same column, the one was just reprinted as a “classic” and so has a date.
Our Archives are deep, but sometimes a little wonky.
In any case, welcome, ** M20E**, we’re glad to have you join our merry little band.
I was replying to the recently printed column concernikng the Black Irish.
Thanks
'0E