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This paper looks at Italian history in the United States. I will open the paper with a discussion on Italian population figures. Next, I will talk about how they immigrated to the states and their customs. Following that I will talk about prejudice, stereotyping and racism against Italian-Americans - including how the media promotes prejudicial images and stereotypes our culture. I will close with my own thoughts on the future of Italian culture in the U.S.

 

"In 1860 New York City had an Italian population of 10,000. By 1920 almost one-fourth of all Italian immigrants lived in New York City, while more than half lived in the middle Atlantic states and New England (http://encarta.msn.com/. 2008). According to the 2000 U.S. census, "almost 16 million Italian Americans now live in the United States. They constitute about 6 percent of the U.S. population. Most are grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Italian immigrants..." (http://encarta.msn.com/).

 

In an effort to escape poverty and unstable government, Italians immigrated to the U.S. in huge numbers. Italian custom dictated that the men come to the U.S. before bringing over their families. Relatively unskilled at first, Italian immigrant men took up heavy labor positions such as working railroads, building skyscrapers and mining coal. Having worked long enough to save money to bring over their families, women joined their husbands as part of the U.S. immigrant labor pool.

 

Working in garment industries and textile mills, women contributed greatly to the financial security of the household. As was customary in the early days, children typically did not complete their education so they could focus on financially contributing to the household as well. Current "studies show that Italian Americans are more likely than other Americans to live close to their relatives and to socialize with them" (http://encarta.msn.com/, 2008). Pockets of "Little Italy's" sprang up in major U.S. cities and are popular living and tourist spots today.

 

According to West (2003), "Like other European immigrant communities, Italian Americans were categorized in the US as White" (http://www.politicalaffairs.net/). Like any other minority group in the U.S., Italian-Americans (both old and new) still experienced various forms of racism, stereotyping and prejudice - despite their "White" social category.

 

"Anti-Italianism is a hostility toward Italian people and Italian culture. It uses stereotypes about Italian people, a popular one being that most Italians are naturally violent, or somehow associated with the Mafia" (http://en.wikipedia.org/). Movies help drive this stereotype home by glorifying mafia violence and getting people to believe all Italians live and think as the mafia lives and thinks. In reality, most Italians will never come across the mafia much less join them in their violent crusade for money, fame and power.

 

Frequently glossed over in American history books, many Italian-Americans, just like the Japanese, were segregated and placed into internment camps during World War II. Those lucky enough to avoid segregation were watched secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) by the U.S. government. In addition, "thousands more were placed under surveillance or had their property repossessed by the government" (http://en.wikipedia.or/, 2009). Famous ball player Joe DiMaggio was not immune to government surveillance, up to and including having his own property confiscated.

 

"Few Italian Americans today identify closely with Italy. Even fewer read ItalXXX XXterature, follow Italian politics, or belong to organizations that promote Italian culture in the United States" (http://encarta.msn.com, 2008). Despite contributions toward key American favorites such as Italian food, music and even clothes, we need to take care that Italian customs are not so watered down in the U.S. Melting Pot that our original culture is no longer recognizable.

 

I believe it is not the responsibility of other cultures to keep our heritage alive, but the responsibility of Italian-Americans. We are a strong culture, and one that contributes greatly to the enjoyment of U.S. citizens. We need to make our presence known more in the classroom, our community and on college campuses who we are what we really stand for - and the mafia isn't it. We cannot expect someone to save us from ourselves, we must save ourselves and do it through means that do not further promote racism, stereotyping and prejudice against Italian-Americans or any culture for that matter.

 

References

Microsoft Encyclopedia. (2008). Italian Americans. Retrieved February 4, 2009, at:

 

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761587492/italian_americans.html

 

West, Clara. (2003). Book Review: The Lost World of Italian-American Radicalism.

 

Retrieved February 4, 2009, at:

 

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/view/3080/1/158/

 

Wikipedia. (2009).Anti-Italianism,. Retrieved February 4, 2009, at:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Italianism

Edited by Rick Lee, BA on 2/4/2009 at 2:42 PM

Expert:	Rick Lee, BA
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	2/4/2009

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