The Ancient Irish Sagas by Theodore Roosevelt

Sceala Clann T.D. Location: Derry roots

Shocked to learn of Theodore Roosevelt passionate interest in the Celtic mythology of Ireland and the Irish.
More shocked to discover that Theodore Roosevelt wrote a book - The Ancient Irish Sagas
The Ancient Irish Sagas (1907)
Keep in mind the more public facing history of Theodore Roosevelt.
Though Roosevelt often described his ancestry as "half Irish and half Dutch, Theodore Roosevelt was a President that promoted a American first and only culture. And the President Roosevelt was not a protectionist of cultures and minorities.
Cuchulainn
Irish Community Images

Cuchulainn in a scene from the Tain Bo Cuailnge, an Irish mythological tale that told of a great war. The original story was celtic pagan in origin, but survives in adapated Christianized forms.

Theodore Roosevelt Positions on immigration, minorities, and civil rights
In an 1894 article on immigration, Roosevelt said, "We must Americanize in every way, in speech, in political ideas and principles, and in their way of looking at relations between church and state. We welcome the German and the Irishman who becomes an American. We have no use for the German or Irishman who remains such... He must revere only our flag, not only must it come first, but no other flag should even come second."

In 1886 he said: "I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of ten are, and I shouldn't like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth." He later became much more favorable.

About African Americans, Roosevelt said, "I have not been able to think out any solution of the terrible problem offered by the presence of the Negro on this continent, but of one thing I am sure, and that is that inasmuch as he is here and can neither be killed nor driven away, the only wise and honorable and Christian thing to do is to treat each black man and each white man strictly on his merits as a man, giving him no more and no less than he shows himself worthy to have."

Starting in 1907 eugenicists in many States started the forced sterilization of the sick, unemployed, poor, criminals, prostitutes, and the disabled. Roosevelt said in 1914: "I wish very much that the wrong people could be prevented entirely from breeding; and when the evil nature of these people is sufficiently flagrant, this should be done. Criminals should be sterilized and feeble-minded persons forbidden to leave offspring behind them."

To discover - The Ancient Irish Sagas by Theodore Roosevelt was a shock.
Theodore Roosevelt study of Irish Celtic history
The Ancient Irish Sagas (1907)

Register

The Irish Community have posted
2 REPLIES TO THIS TOPIC
for logged in members to view.

Irish Forums Message Discussion :: The Ancient Irish Sagas by Theodore Roosevelt

The Ancient Irish Sagas by Theodore Roosevelt