Michelle E. Sepulveda
Students will read excerpts from three books that explain what life was like for the Irish immigrants. The stories will serve as a catalyst to dramatic performances geared to a better understanding and appreciation for
the Irish in New Haven as well as other large cities in the Eastern United States where immigrants tended to live. Angela's Ashes is a memoir by Frank McCourt that describes life in New York as well as Ireland for his poor family. Students will read the first chapter that deals with life in New York and conditions for the Irish there. Saving New Haven , by MarkJ. Mininberg describes the immigrant in New Haven who clung to the lower rungs of the social ladder but gained access to the middle class through politics and notably the first Irish mayor, John W. Murphy. The third book from which excerpts will be taken is The Irish In America by Carl Wittke chronicles the arrival, city life, and discrimination against the Irish.
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Students will create characters and dialogue to tell the story of the Irish. Through role play and interaction with prominent Irish leaders in New Haven they will create a play that also uses symbols that have persisted throughout the long ordeal of the great migration and develop a sense of the parade, its importance to a displaced yet proud group of people, and its persistence through so many years with an ever growing audience.
A field trip is planned to the Ethnic American heritage Center at Southern Connecticut State University. There they have census numbers dating to the first arrival of a large number of immigrants, old directories that indicate professions and addresses of the Irish surnames, copies of registers of municipal workers, and cultural displays about the Irish. The director has outlined workshops that include role play and other dramatic games to enhance the students knowledge. JeanneHickney-Roche, the director, is also president of the Irish Historical society and editor of the shanache (a monthly literary publication that details and explains Irish history and serves as an updating source to family members looking for relatives). Students will be invited to look for relatives of others and learn how the process is begun and completed. The data compiled from the ethnic center will enable students to add historical facts to their fictitious dramatic scenes and enable them to realize the enormity of the experience Immigrants to New Haven have faced and braved for many years to achieve their middle class status that was not easily won.
An understanding of history, role-play through descriptive narratives, and research of the time will enable the students to finally begin the process of planning their own parade. A committee must be formed, a guest speaker, artistic developers, and a grand marshall are just some of the tasks that will make the parade a success.
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The students will be divided into groups that will serve as committees Relegated to different tasks. Props, music, artwork, and publicity are just a few of the areas the groups must handle. A special committee will also
work with the RESPECT committee at the school to encourage workers and students along the Long Wharf to observe the final parade. The RESPECT committee is a separate group at West Hills Middle School that encourages school pride and works with the student body on different projects.
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One of the largest projects that the students will undertake is the building of a float that represents their school as well as their knowledge of the Irish immigrant experience. The float is destined for the actual St. Patrick's day parade in New Haven. Public schools are encouraged to participate so it is a plan easily set in motion. Parents, students, and an art instructor will develop a visual concept to share the students knowledge with parade goers.
There are a number of people who will share historic lore about the parade so the students reflection of Irish immigration can be accurate. I have acquired stories and articles from widows of past chairmen of the parade and they will be shared with the students as well.
Edna Barth, the author of Shamrock, Harps, and Shiielaghs sums up the celebration of St. Patrick's day the best: "It is not enough to be simply a part of the blend that we call American. Each ethnic group needs something to set it apart and to keep alive its own traditions. For Irish-Americans, the celebration of St. Patrick's day helps serve this purpose".