Irish Need Not Apply

I want to thank corporate America for the inspiration for today's blog.  

Hibernophobia or Anti-Irish Racism was prevalent in 19th century UK and USA leading to the crafting of the attached sign.  Originally the sentiments were born out of the Irish refusal to give up Catholicism and later morphed into a series of stereotypes centering around an icon of a fat drunk loud Irishmen more familiar with the bottom of a pint glass than a hard days work.  Today in 2010 we have parades in the streets in cities known for its Irish heritage, arguably illustrating our new tolerance and acceptance for public drunkenness rather than true Irish heritage.  

How does this relate to me?  Well my own Irish heritage is highly dubious, if you were to listen to my sister you'd think we came off the boat but to be honest in my limited research into genealogy I know I am no more than at least 25% Irish, and to be truthful I believe it to be much less.  What has survived was our last name, Earley.  Its definition in Old English is "eagle wood." Surnames in the UK were derived from 7 types: Occupation, Personal Characteristics, Geographical Features, Descendants of Landowners named after the land, descendants of other family members, and is most likely the case Place names.  It doesn't take much research to look at a map and find Earley just west of London, England.  Yep thats right England.  More than likely even if we did pass by the emerald shores before our eventual settlement here we did start off in England.

Of course the rest of the family names, Bibeau, Partridge, and Lepage just scream cheese, wine, cigarettes and berets.   So maybe we are much more suited to celebrating Bastille Day.  Even with the mixed heritage I think we can celebrate today.  I just looked out the window and I can see a Philippino man in Kelley green so if he can celebrate so can I.  Its a good thing I have the corned beef and cabbage already in the refrigerator.  

Besides I certainly feel Irish, or at least the Irish of old.  All I would like to do is get back to work and be useful again in whatever modest capacity; however Corporate America is proving to be as uninviting as always to the point at which I don't think they want to give anyone a job.  Last night around 8:30 I sent my information to a company and within less than 2 hours I was given a nicely written rejection letter.  It was nicely written yet laughably untrue.  Had it come in a couple of days it would have been more believable.  Instead my well written resume and cover letter were churned through some computerized version of a meat grinder and somehow wasn't fit for sausage, so it sent me back my response:

We have reviewed your resume {we stuck it in a computer with no soul} as it relates to the XXXXXX position located in Englewood, New Jersey and while we are impressed with your accomplishments {we would have said this even if you spent the last 20 years with a thumb up your ass}, we are continuing our search for candidates whose skills and experience more closely align with the requirements for the position {eventhough you may have been an exact match you don't fit our demographics} and our business needs {price range} at this time. 

Your resume will be kept on file {is being recycled as we speak} for one year and will be considered for appropriate opportunities should they become available. Please continue to monitor our career opportunities at www.xxxxx.com/jobs. {we are too ignorant to even realize this statement negates the previous sentence and shows that we don't keep anything on file and won't be calling you}

Am I mad? No. Just illustrates even more why corporate America is not the route for me, or at least this part of corporate America.  So I'm off to join the day, and to make our dinner for this evening.

Erin Go Bragh