What is up with the young people of today? Seriously? My own niece Ashley is college educated but as ignorant as they come. Let me backtrack a little because her ignorance is only half her own fault. I have three older sisters. Two are normal loving people. The other is the most hateful bi-polar person one could ever meet. That is Ashley’s mother. She has attacked my mom, thrown a vase at my dad and told my mom she wished I died. She has told my mom my other nieces and nephews are ugly and dumb.
As readers of this site know, I am proud of my Irish heritage. Today I posted a picture of our family’s crest on Facebook. My niece Ashley then commented that, “How can you prove that? We don’t even know who your dad’s father was.” Wow. What stupidity. We know my dad’s father’s name, his mother’s name (also Irish) and all of his grandparents’ names and great grandparents’ names (all Irish). Seems my niece has been brainwashed by her crazy insane mother. Sad that a college education is not what it once was.
(my niece says no proof of our Irish Heritage….. I guess our Irish Crest is a “myth”)
My dad’s father disappeared when he was around age four. So in reality, we know his name, where he was born and much more. My sister Debbie, who is all there and normal, has traced our family all the way back to Galway, Ireland. During the great Potato Famine, members of my family left Ireland and landed in America. My last name is known all across Ireland and America. If you like “Makers Mark” Bourbon than you know my last name. The original building where it was made was called the “Burks Building”. What was made there? Easy, “Burks Irish Whiskey”.
Even if we didn’t know my dad’s father, our heritage is not hard to trace. Tons of websites help anyone with an IQ over 60 trace their heritage. Sites like House of Names, Ancestry and many others will prove this. My family came from the Anglo-Normans who conquered Ireland during the 12th century and adopted the Irish Culture. There’s even a saying about the Anglo-Normans which goes like this – “The Anglo-Normans became more Irish than the Celtic people.” What more needs to be said?
Why so many Americans are ignorant of their heritage is shocking to me. I am an American first. I would never leave America, even for Ireland. I have been to Ireland. Yet, I love where my forefathers came from. I came from a race of people known for beautiful music, great mythology and legends in the field of writing. Ireland is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen firsthand. Many others around the globe would agree. Irish people are among the friendliest, most kind and sweet people on earth. Their humor is second to none.
I am not sure why my niece is so ashamed of her heritage. It may because her mom is hateful toward her own parents. Maybe because her mom and father were racist until her younger sister started dating a Cuban. It could be the fact she grew up in the “politically correctness culture” of her generation that teaches all of Western Society is bad. Who knows? Too bad she is missing out on a proud heritage of beauty, fun, myths, great music, and classical literature. I hope she enjoys her American history of slavery, couch potatoes, Jerry Springer, Jersey Shore and over eating (which her mom knows all about).
Burke
The Burkes (Burks) came from William the Conqueror in the 12th century originally named as de Burgo (of the borough). They were given large chunks of land in Connacht.
Burks
The Burkes (Burks) came from William the Conqueror in the 12th century originally named as de Burgo (of the borough). They were given large chunks of land in Connacht.
I understand what you mean. People are such self-haters these days. Accepting other cultures is a great thing. That is what makes America great. However, there’s no need to deny or hate one’s own heritage. Sad your niece is that way.