US President Joe Biden has been left red-faced after confusing the All Blacks rugby team with the Black and Tans, a notorious group of British reserve troops known for their brutality during the Irish War of Independence from 1919 to 1921. The embarrassing gaffe took place while he was thanking former Ireland fullback Rob Kearney for presenting him with a tie, referring to Ireland's famous 40-29 win over the All Blacks in Chicago back in 2016.
In addition to this historical mix-up, President Biden mispronounced the surname of his distant relative. This prompted swift reactions on social media as people savaged and mocked him for both mistakes.
However, it is important to note that his muddling of history also carries darker connotations – the name Black and Tan remains synonymous with excessive violence even today.
During his four-day visit to the United Kingdom and Ireland, President Biden discussed crucial topics such as sustained peace amidst political unrest. He also participated in tree planting ceremonies and ringing peace bells at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Dr. Siobhan O'Connell, a historian at Trinity College Dublin said: "President Biden's confusion between these two very different groups shows how deeply ingrained some historical associations can be."
Acknowledging his Irish-American heritage throughout his trip, President Biden consistently praised values instilled by his mother while reciting Irish sayings, poems, humor-filled stories about ancestors – all aimed at appealing primarily to common folk.
The president's gaffe ended an otherwise rocky first day commemorating the Good Friday Agreement’s 25th anniversary – an agreement which brought much-needed resolution following decades-long sectarian violence between Catholics and Protestants referred colloquially as “The Troubles.”
While speaking before an eager crowd about family lineage matters like ancestry during this visit to Emerald Isle (Ireland), Mr. Biden jokingly mentioned that his father was English, but the "saving grace" came from one-quarter of their family being Hanafees hailing from Galway.
Despite these minor slip-ups, President Biden's visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland brings renewed hope for maintaining peace in the region. As Thomas Donohue, a political analyst at Queens University Belfast said: “The president's gaffe may have been embarrassing, but it has not overshadowed the greater purpose of his visit – promoting unity and reconciliation.”