Liberation, Theology, Democracy, and Abolitionism: Shared History US/Ireland

The Irish history is very rich. Ireland and the United States share hudreds of years of history together.

I am particularly impresed by learning here of the depth to which our histories are shared. Between Ireland and the Americas there are so many ways in which we nurtured democracy, decency, theology of humanism and liberation. We have literally grown up together.

Everywhere we go in Dublin, we find information about the struggle for human rights here. More often than not we can find ties between Ireland and the United States. Whether it is a history of our early great civil rights leaders (from Frederick Douglass's visit to Ireland or the importance of O'Connell to American abolitionists.

We are in Ireland. In this lovely city, Dublin, one is surrounded by rich histories of writers and revolution. Yet, somehow, it is a city of long-endearing oppression, repression, and human degradation.

What can be said about our mirror societies? What lessons can be learned about the benefits we have to give the world from our suffering? What can we do to prove a viable and gentler future is near? Both countries have important roles in development of our modern ideas on human liberation, theology, democracy, and abolitionism (equality). Yet, we suffer much injustice and inequity.

After a very short visit to Ireland, it is clear to me that our solutions are very close indeed.