Once, Irish-Americans could be considered even lower than African-Americans people in the racial hierarchy. They were not white; nor I recall were Italian-Ameri

Once, Irish-Americans could be considered even lower than African-Americans people in the racial hierarchy. They were not white; nor I recall were Italian-Americans. I vaguely recall reading Irish-descended critics pointing out how they were backstabbing others to gain white privilege. There's a book, "How the Irish Became White". I haven't read it and therefore can't offer a recommendation, but there's definitely literature out there. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Ignatiev http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noel_Ignatiev) The racial system is a form of warfare and social conditioning. Various alliances shift for political ends.