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His dissertation was his book, "How the Irish Became White." Mr. Ignatiev said the book told how Irish immigrants came to the United States and became "oppressors" by emulating American whites.

I've actually read his book, and its a little more complicated than the Times portrays. When the Irish first came to the country, they were looked upon as N***ers. Signs on public establishments differentiated between Whites and Irish. And its true that the Irish became accepted into polite society only by emulating the dominant Anglo-Saxon culture, and by being displaced by other, lower-wage immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. They were pushed into positions of power by having other, more subserviant immigrant groups thrust below them.

(.....And its true that the Irish became accepted into polite society only by emulating the dominant Anglo-Saxon culture, and by being displaced by other, lower-wage immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe. They were pushed into positions of power by having other, more subserviant immigrant groups thrust below them.....)

That is true. And those oppressed lower-wage immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, came to believe that they were better than blacks, and were gradually accepted into the American mainstream. Asians seem to be following the same path, because they are now seen as the "model minority" (i.e. they are not lazy welfare bums).

Which describes every large influx of immigrants into any country, anywhere, throughout history.

What you and the author fail to realize is that by coming into a 'new' society the immigrant has, or should have, already committed to becoming part of that society.

Adopting it's values, laws, and ethics.

By NOT expecting that adaptation, and having at least a few immigrant (internal and external) groups sitting around demanding that the society change to accomodate THEM, the larger society places itself at huge risk.

Welcome to the 21th century.

PS: When my mother checked out her ancestery she found the name of the ship her key character came over on (late 17 hundreds) - the passenger list was two words: "Irish Laborers".