Whether one is of Irish lineage or not, St. Patrick’s Day stands for a recognition of Irish and Irish American culture, and in many ways its cultural appropriation throughout our society.

The religious origins of the day have, for some, been obscured and often all but forgotten in favor of the “wearing of the green,” throwing parties, and holding parades. The day has been celebrated on the North American continent since before the American Revolution, and is actually an official holiday in neighboring Suffolk County. Ask any of our Boston brethren and they would – to a single soul – be aware of this fact.

And so, in Somerville, too, there are plenty of willing celebrants of diverse heritage. While it’s true that there are a lot of Irish families in the city, and its history is full with contributions by them, just about everyone likes to join in on the holiday and participate in everything that comes with it.

Of course, we will still be wearing our masks and practicing social distancing, out of caution due to the continued threat of the COVID-19 virus. Sadly, the big parade in South Boston has once again been cancelled this year out of the same concerns, and numerous other events are following the same course.

As the old Irish proverb says, “May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.” So enjoy the corned beef and cabbage, the green beer, the fine Irish whiskey, and all the rest wherever you can. But do so carefully, please.