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Italians in America: from Discrimination to Adoration (or almost)

Anti-Italian Cartoon of the 1880s
Anti-Italian Cartoon of the 1880s

In today’s world, being Italian can be a very good thing: you dress well, live well and speak with a sexy accent (just ask to Italian expats living in English speaking countries about it).

When it comes to food, fashion, cars and everything involving elegance and style, Italians are considered — maybe stereotypically, maybe with reason — “the” people setting the pace for everybody else.

In the US Italians, or Italian-Americans we should say, are today integrant part of the social, economic and cultural fabric of the country: a long history of immigration, that started over a century ago, lies at the heart of  one of the strongest and best established communities in North America, one that contributed incredibly to the development of what we today know and love as American culture.

Yet, it hasn’t always been like this. In the early years of the Italian migratory movement to the US, our compatriots faced enormous levels of racial discrimination, of solitude and of social isolation. It was to take decades and decades of hard work to finally be accepted, to finally become true citizens of their new Fatherland.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the struggles lived by our fellow Italians in the earlier years of our migration to the Land of Opportunities: the United States of America.

Sacco and Vanzetti
Sacco and Vanzetti

Racial Discrimination

Italians, like all European peoples, are racially Caucasian or “white.” However, especially in the mid to late 19th century,  Italian immigrants to America were often met with racial prejudice.

As they came mainly from Southern Italy, they had typical mediterranean features, with a darker complexion than most Americans, who came from Anglo-Saxon countries.

News clippings from the late 19th century often described Italians derogatorily, and it wasn’t uncommon, to use modern expression, racially profiling them as rough and prone to crime. They were seen as “clannish,” unwilling to assimilate to the larger population and more interested in living in their own exclusive, culturally closed communities. They were often described as “swarthy,” with frizzy air and derisively called “Guinea” in the streets, as Silvia Morosi tells us in an article published on Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera. 

While they had arrived in the US as free white men, Italians soon became one and only with the “blacks” working in the sugar cane fields of Louisiana, also because they were the only, along with people of African and Caribbean descent, to accept such hard and badly paid jobs.

The connection between the recently established Italian and the African-Caribbean communities was strengthened also by the  fact the former tended to live in areas already occupied by the latter.

Their Catholic faith also put them at odds with Protestant America, and grouped them with the other marginalized groups like the Mexicans of the south and the Irish of the north. It was also easy for local law enforcement to pin crimes on men who did not know English, or their legal rights.

Racism in New Orleans

In 2019, New Orleans’ mayor LaToya Cantrell officially apologized on behalf of the city to the Italian-American community for events that took place more than 100 years ago, in 1891. The facts she  referred to in her Proclamation of Apology are those of  the New Orleans lynching of 11 Italians, which she  described as an “act of anti-immigrant violence” and as a “serious and dark chapter to our shared history.” Cantrell continued stating how “What happened to those 11 Italians, it was wrong, and the city owes them and their descendants a formal apology (…). At this late date, we cannot give justice. But we can be intentional and deliberate about what we do going forward.”

But what are the events Mayor Cantrell refers to?

The lynching that caused a diplomatic battle

It was the fall of 1890 when the chief of New Orleans police David Hennessy was murdered on his way home from work. History tells us Hennessy had quite a few enemies to worry about, as it was known around town he had been accused of a murder and also that he had been involved in a long lasting fight between two Italian businessmen.

19 Italian men were eventually charged and imprisoned. Shortly after, a group of people managed to enter the jail and brutally lynched 11 of them: it was a racially motivated attack.

Historically known as the New Orleans lynching, the  episode strikes also for the way the press reported it, justifying it as something the 11 Italians “deserved” for having committed a crime against an “American.”

The Times notoriously described the victims as “sly, coward Sicilians, descendants of bandits and murderers, who brought into this country uncontrolled passion and ruthless practices (…). They are parasites, rattlesnakes. Our murderers have nobility and feelings, when compared to them.”

Tension between Italy and USA

When news of the lynching (and of its press coverage) reached Italy, the Italian Ambassador in the US, Francesco Saverio Fava was recalled by prime minister Antonio Starabba. Italian newspapers got hold of the news and began campaigning so that the victims’ families could receive compensation. Indeed, then US President Benjamin Harrison compensated them, but the authors of the lynching were never brought to justice.

Sacco and Vanzetti

Even if the New Orleans events began to slowly change the attitude of Americans towards Italians, things were still far from getting good. Proof of it, the clamorous and well know 1927 episode of the execution of Italian anarchists Ferdinando Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, who were tried and executed in what is a prime example of anti-Italianism. Due to their radical political views, they were accused of murdering a guard during a 1920 armed robbery at the Slater and Morrill Show Company, in Massachusetts. In 1921, it took only a few short hours to the jury to send Sacco and Vanzetti to prison for first degree murder and to be put to death.

It was immediately clear that anti-immigrant and, in particular, anti-Italian feelings were largely behind the conviction, to the point that even a committee to free the two men, the Sacco and Vanzetti Defense Committee, was created: the committee was behind the vast majority of the numerous appeals against the sentence that followed in the years.

Indeed, public opinion both in and outside the US felt the two had been wrongly accused on racial prejudices and demonstrations were held not only in America, but a bit everywhere in the world, including Italy, South America, the Middle East and Australia. In spite of this, the  two were eventually executed by electric chair in 1927, at Charlestown State Prison. 

The aftermath

Sacco and Vanzetti’s execution caused social turmoil in many parts of the world, including the US. Further investigations on the two Italian anarchists and on the crime they had allegedly committed were carried out throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Personal letters where both men declared their innocence were found and made public, while further investigative work made the case against them weaker and weaker.

In a relatively short time, American public opinion was convinced: Sacco and Vanzetti had died innocent men.

It took 50 years, however, for the two Italians to see their names officially cleared of all charges: on the 23rd of August 1977, on the anniversary of their execution, Michael Dukakis, at the time governor of Massachusetts, issued a Proclamation of Innocence, stating that Sacco and Vanzetti had  been wrongly convicted, tried and executed.

This video plays the beautiful touching song from Joan Baez about Sacco and Vanzetti (Nicola and Bart), it also shows very interesting images from the era

The Struggle For Survival

Italians were treated so badly because they were considered unintelligent, menial laborers. They were willing to work in deplorable conditions, especially on first arrival.

Many of the first Italian fishermen of Gloucester, Massachusetts, settled there after years of doing nearly anything from working in rail yards and stables, to mining for gold in California. The determination of these first immigrants to support their families was often misunderstood as a slave or servant mentality.

Indeed, this is an attitude we  still  witness today in the US and everywhere else in the world: native residents accuse immigrants of taking their jobs, underselling them by working longer hours for much lower wages. And apparently Italians have forgotten their history because this is also their attitude towards foreigner workers in their own country today.

What observers at the time did not realize was that these industrious men and women had to start out a life in a new continent from scratch. Their backbreaking and often degrading labor was just a stepping stone towards being accepted and feeling  legitimate within American society. That first generation, in other words,  suffered to make life easier for the generations to come.

Acceptance into Society

While stereotypes about Italians and Italian-Americans still exist, that  first generation’s — and the following ones’ — hard work paid off. Italians started making themselves known in society, as well as contributing to America’s greatness. They became business owners and politicians, and eventually started moving out of their old “Little Italy” neighborhoods.

Rudolph Valentino - The Latin Lover
Rudolph Valentino – The Latin Lover

Early Steps

Almost contemporarily to Sacco and Vanzetti’s ordeal, a young star of the silver screen helped reshape the image of Italians. The short-lived career of Rodolfo Valentino introduced a new, more positive Italian stereotype, that of the Latin lover, to Hollywood.

This image of a charismatic Italian male irresistible to women was certainly a step in the right direction. However, even Valentino faced discrimination and was typecast as a gangster in his early career.

Italian-Americans during the  War

Discrimination against Italians was to see another wave during World War II, when thousands were sent to internment camps or were watched by the US Government. Many others had to carry special identification if they happened to work near sensitive areas, such as naval bases or along waterfronts.

Once Italians gained a bit of legitimacy among the larger American population, the old derogatory and racial stereotypes disappeared. Italians were no longer dirty brutes living in tenements. By the mid 20th century, they were firmly established in American pop culture: from music, to fashion, to cars. Even the sport of baseball, America’s favorite pastime, had elected Joe DiMaggio, the son of Italian immigrants, as one of its heroes.

Italian-American stereotypes today

Today, the Italian-American community is well established and accepted in US society. To be more precise, it’s now integrant essence of what American culture is and means to the world.

That’s why even negative stereotypes associated with Italians and Italian-Americans, such as the criminal element, are no longer used derogatorily, but to entertain with irony, a bit like we do in Italy, when we jokingly mock ourselves.

Take the example of the quintessential Italian mobster: a century ago, he or she would have been portrayed as a filthy monster, lurking in the shadows. Today, with movies like Goodfellas and popular TV shows like the Sopranos, it is sometimes hard not to like the bad guys. Now, the filthy monsters drive the nicest cars, wear the most expensive suits and live in marble palaces!

Times and attitudes in the United States have changed, but it still seems that every group that arrives has to “run the gauntlet” at first and prove itself, even today. Italians have not come to the United States in large numbers since the 1950s, but those that do certainly have a much easier cultural transition.

Stereotypes and bad jokes aside, Italians today are fully appreciated for all their contributions to American society, both past and present, and we can truly said we went from discrimination to (almost) adoration!

By Justin Demetri

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Ray C
1 year ago

Most Southern Italians, like the Moors in Spain have Black blood, and according to the one drop rule (which I don’t give credence) would be considered Black. More Black than many from Latin America. Categorizing people by the ancestry is a cultural poison
My uncle settled in Charlotte, NC after WW2, and had to change his name in order to be accepted to do real estate business there. He died a millionaire.

Adrienne DiFranco
2 years ago

My mother was born in Udine and came here with her family in 1929. They had it tough. Yes, there was a lot of prejuduce that I experienced in high school from the Irish. But now should anyone even try to discriminate against me I am prepared with the phrase, “Where’s your Roman empire, Renaissance, art music and literature?” I just won’t tolerate it. But no one ever bothers me anymore. And I know of many cases where the Irsh and Italians fell in love, married and created really beautiful. there is no place more beautiful than Italy. But maybe, I’m just prejudiced.

katherine leonetti
2 years ago

That’s why even negative stereotypes associated with Italians and Italian-Americans, such as the criminal element, are no longer used derogatorily, but to entertain with irony, a bit like we do in Italy, when we jokingly mock ourselves.

I have reread the above statement you wrote a few times tying to understand why it is ok that Italians are portrayed in negative way. How dare you write this dribble. My family has been at the receiving end of the racial slurs, insults an jokes. I experienced it in school and even at work. I still see Italian racism and hear it . So for you to say its ok is ignorance on your part. Shame on you!!!!

Admin
2 years ago
Reply to  Vincenzo

Vincenzo, thanks for your comment. I too am Italian American but I arrived in 1987. I saw no sign of discrimination, actually most women were very happy to meet an Italian. Many asked me over the years “When are you going to Italy? Can we go together ?” I agree however that just a few decades earlier the situation was different. I am now living a little in both countries, I am not sure where I will finally retire. Retiring in Italy makes a lot of sense however. Getting old the health care cost in the US are much higher than Italy for example.

Vincenzo
2 years ago

It’s never published that half of the italian immigrants that came to the US, between 1895 (4 millions)&1915 returned to Italy, the conditions here were horrific. They had left poverty, mainly from an agricultural society only to find filthy, crime ridden, unhealthy ghettos. My family, and I,arrived in July 1956 the ignorance I encountered among not only the so called WASPS, but also second third generations Italian/Americans was astonishing, nine years after my arrival (I was almost 10)I was sent to Vietnam, and in the military I found the same prejudice and ignorance. Nevertheless I’m proud to be a US citizen, my Italian citizenship was taken away by the Italian government in 1972.To this day a Lot of Americans ask about the Mafia, when they find out that I am Italian (genetically I’ll always be Italian &proud to be)Americans always forget that the world, as we know it, is still riding on the coattails of the Italian Renaissance, because before it was the DARK AGES brought on by the northern European tribes! By the way the other half that remained in the USA (1895-1915)MOST would have loved to return to Italy, but were STUCK, for whatever reasons. Most of the Italians of my parents age (who came at the same time as we did)retired or wanted to retire in Italy & why Not?

Mia
3 years ago

I know. I heard the stories. My grandparents came from Avellino,Italy in the late 1800’s

Admin
3 years ago
Reply to  Daniel MONICO

Before coming to the US I thought I was going to be discriminate upon but the reality is that for me nothing was further from the truth.
I studied at Cornell University where I got a master in computer science. And to be truly honest it has been an advantage being Italian in the US.

Daniel MONICO
3 years ago

It is true that many Italian American people, don t really know what their ancestors went through! This is something that continues to this day against New immigrants to America! Also, don’t believe that when our ancestors came here, they all became citizens! They didn’t! Many could barely read and write their own language! Ellis island just checked for diseases, mainly small pox! If you look into your ancestors history you will see strong parallels to how we are treating immigrants now! My grandfather Guido MONICO, left his job as a coal miner in Dupont, Pa. For fear of being murdered like his brother in law! He came to Linden, NJ, always carrying a loaded weapon! It was, get this, Irish Catholics that murdered my great uncle! They were angry because they felt Italians were taking their jobs! They wouldn’t let them in their churches! It is very important to know how Americans have treated immigrants and to learn from it! Many people don’t know that so many derogatory tterms we still use today, we’re first used against Italian American immigrants! Spic, wop (without papers) , wetbacks, dagos, guineas, gavone and other terms were and are still used! Please don’t treat any immigrants like that!!!

Judy bowen Romano
3 years ago

Love reading historical facts about the struggles of our forefathers

Gerri Barsotti
3 years ago

There is one point I want to elaborate on that was stated in this newsclipping. Yes, Italians did come to this country like other nationalities. But the point is, THEY CAME HERE LEGALLY. Many that come from our southern neighbor do not come here legallay, even though they do work hard (Those that are not criminally inspired). So I just want to give my relatives the justice that they are due. They worked very hard, sometimes having 3 jobs and never cried discrimination. Their goal was to prove that they could get ahead by their own respect.

Christine Pellegrino
3 years ago

How dare you say as the author italians have forgotten thier history and treat immigrants like we were treated? How dare you say stereotypes in movies are ok?

B. White
3 years ago

I agree with the comments. Italian-Americans still face bias. Movies continue to show Italians as mobsters, when there are other more powerful mobster groups than what is left of the skeletal Mafia. We are not represented per our population in Ivy league colleges (which could be a good thing). Most telling, was a poll taken when former President Obama was first running for president. Former NYC Mayor Guiliani was also running that year. The poll indicated that more people were accepting of an African-American president than an Italian-American president. Italians were interned during WWII but they never received reparations like those of Japanese ethnicity.

3 years ago

I grew up in an Italian neighborhood with all my relatives (cousins, etc.) within a couple of blocks. My Dad & Grandmom came through Ellis Island when he was 8. My mother was born in the US and was the top of her Academic Class at Glassboro High School. Graduating from High School was a very unusual because many times Italian girls quit school after 6th grade and work in the sewing factories. My Dad worked 3 jobs when I was young and finally made it to Postmaster from his start as a Sub., working at Owens Illinois and starting his own bicycle shop (pre big box stores). He was a life-long learner and reader and made his life successfully via investments in the stock market as well as his working all the time. My mother was loved by her teachers, but they also clued her in that even if she became a High School teacher she could not get a teaching job in Glassboro, because they wouldn’t hire an Italian. Mom was the story teller in our family and this is why our knowledge and appreciation of the Italian history was kept alive. I try to keep alive the story with grandchildren and nieces etc. Studies show that children who are told their families stories end up being better students. We had many advantages as we grew up in Glassboro, NJ and the most important was LOVE in our hardoworking and loving family.
Thank you Justin for a wonderful piece. I have printed it and will share it with my grand daughter and the family.

FirstN LastN
3 years ago
Reply to  Rose

That is good point. I never thought of that…. Andrew Cuomo lost the opportunity to be the first!

Rose
3 years ago

Oh please! The media still only portrays Italians as Buffoons, Bimbos and Criminals. If you are successful or powerful you must have mob ties! How many Italian American Presidents have we had since the first wave of immigration? No one is ever enraged by this form or discrimination however.

lorenzo
4 years ago

>from discrimination to (almost) adoration!

clearly not in universities.

Italian american are more underrepresented then blacks and hispanic in elite colleges…please check some empirical data, the fact that american love pizza dont translate into acceptance where it really matter.

Miklyn Marie Provenzano
4 years ago

Speak for yourself! The hate towards Italians is very evident in Houston Texas still today. Just born in the wrong region I guess.