As someone of Irish descent that has descended from five generations of New Yorkers, it is not understandable how people that share my DNA makeup and ancestry are not more helpful to the plight of immigrants today. It seems that a lot of the people that happily tell you the struggles of how their grandparents had doors slammed in their face, will also become enraged at the sight of seeing someone looking for work outside of a Home Depot, or asking for help to get a job. I’ve heard all sorts of stories passed down from older relatives, as well as people in the media with Irish last names tell of how family members were innocent victims killed by a bomb while waiting for the bus in Ireland during “the troubles”. Many people in the U.S today with an Irish last name will then say something ridiculous about a family trying to flee gang violence, poverty, or civil war in Latin America. Elected officials, TV personalities, and media columnists will call someone looking for a better life a “drug mule” or “MS-13”. The Tenement Museum should be a mandatory stop for all Americans, no matter how far descended from ancestors fleeing poverty or war they are. It is a visit into the past, where you are physically witness to how rough life was for those that first arrived in New York City, regardless of race or religion. It is also a reminder of the 2024 struggle that recent arrivals in New York City are currently facing, and a sight which hopefully gives one empathy.

As someone of Irish descent that has descended from five generations of New Yorkers, it is not understandable how people that share my DNA makeup and ancestry are not more helpful to the plight of immigrants today. It seems that a lot of the people that happily tell you the struggles of how their grandparents had doors slammed in their face, will also become enraged at the sight of seeing someone looking for work outside of a Home Depot, or asking for help to get a job. I’ve heard all sorts of stories passed down from older relatives, as well as people in the media with Irish last names tell of how family members were innocent victims killed by a bomb while waiting for the bus in Ireland during “the troubles”. Many people in the U.S today with an Irish last name will then say something ridiculous about a family trying to flee gang violence, poverty, or civil war in Latin America. Elected officials, TV personalities, and media columnists will call someone looking for a better life a “drug mule” or “MS-13”. The Tenement Museum should be a mandatory stop for all Americans, no matter how far descended from ancestors fleeing poverty or war they are. It is a visit into the past, where you are physically witness to how rough life was for those that first arrived in New York City, regardless of race or religion. It is also a reminder of the 2024 struggle that recent arrivals in New York City are currently facing, and a sight which hopefully gives one empathy.