the important thing to remember is that the Irish were eventually able to assimilate into what it meant to be “white” in America and therefore rise up from their marginalization

I’m no historian, but I’m pretty sure that yes the Irish endured some terrible hardships and systemic racism here in North America. However, to state that the Irish are second only to Blacks for how bad it was for them? I’m guessing not. I would be willing to bet Native Americans (who it could be argued had it worse…