The origins of Notre Dame’s name - why the Fighting Irish are the Fighting Irish

The Amos and Andy analogy made by jackinny is appropriate, but even more applicable is Step-n-Fetchit. That's what the Notre Dame "mascot" is to me - a higly offensive Irish Step-n-Fetchit character. Disgraceful.

I've been going through massive therapy sessions for over 40 years as to why, and I'm serious, I despise Notre Dame. My earliest recollection, as a four grandparent from Ireland kid, was wearing a fighting Irish T-Shirt at the age of three. I hated it and in fact really and truly root for Notre Dame to lose every football game. If I'm alone, thanks be to God but I don't think so. Anyway, back to Damian McGinty and his scary Glee preview.

You might know & love this mascot but then again if you were black you'd probably adore Amos & Andy. My family emigrated from Kilkenny to Liverpool eventually landing in NYC.Their stories of discrimination have been passed down through 5 generations. I'm going to take a big leap and assume you are not Irish-born.I have been to Ireland 38 times in 20 yrs and I have NEVER meet an Irish person who was not insulted by this mascot

A lot of folk came over to America to escape the Catholic and even Anglican persecutions. Baptists in particular, and assuredly the Puritans. Baptists, being persecuted even by the Puritans/Pilgrims of Massachusettes, settled Rhode Island and became the haven for those other persecuted religions...as well as the very same Catholics we suffered under in other European lands. BUT, the Catholics in America, appreciating the Liberty of Conscience...and hopefully not trying to exploit it like the Muslim in order to take over America and dominate EUROPEAN style...did settle down enjoying this Liberty and prospering in their own right, became as American as the next fellow. UNFORTUNATELY for the Baptists in Rhode Island, the Catholics really did breed until two thirds of Rhode Island is now Catholic and the Baptists had to go to Baptist heaven (TEXAS), where I am currantly. By the way, my Irish Ancestor fled Catholic Ireland in about 1820 because he married into a Protestant religion, and became one himself. He had a choice of two lakes...the Atlantic or one of the Loughs.

Having been at ND when the repulsive icon was introduced, I have often wondered why we Irish allow such a symbolic offense to all Irish people to continue. Why don't we protest or boycott? Too busy fighting and drinking, I guess.

Going to the Primary school in Ireland back in the 1950's and 1960's, we were often warned about the 'Fighting Irish' over in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and so many other English cities. The reference was to the Irish drunks pouring out of pubs at closing and brawling in the streets - and then into the 'Paddy Wagons' for a night or two in the lock-up. We were admonished not to bring such shame to our country and race - it was, of course, assumed that many of us would wind up in England. On the other hand, English military commanders, down through the centuries, welcomed the fighting Irish into their ranks for their enthusiasm in battle - as long as this enthusiasm was 'properly directed,' i.e. officered by pedigreed Englishmen. Yet, in truth, many of the company grade officers, and higher, commanding these units were also Irish. Still, even today, in places like Hammersmith and Cricklewood, the term 'Fighting Irish' carries the old baggage.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!