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Ethnic Groups and Discrimination

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I belong to the white American ethnic group. I am half Italian and half Irish. Most people only associate me as Italian and the Irish fades into the back ground. More Italians have migrated to the United States than any other group from Europe (digital history, January, 22 2012). Most of the immigration occurred in the 20th century during the years of 1880-1960(digital history, January, 22 2012). Several Italian immigrants originated from southern Italy without much of an education. The foremost reason for Italian immigration was due to the meager financial conditions in Italy during the 20th century. The Italians established themselves in areas where they could network with each other and not be around other ethnic groups. The Italians from southern Italy were not educated greatly so most of them performed manual labor. Most of the Italians were farmers in Italy but, when they immigrated they moved to the cities. Italians faced much prejudice and racism. The Italians in the United States were a very much hated group. News clippings from the 19th century named Italian immigrants as a sub-human race (Italians in America: From Discrimination to Adoration, Racial Discrimination, October 5th, 2009). They were thought of as clannish because they were known to stick with their family. The Italians were also discriminated against for their Catholic beliefs. They were exposed to anti-immigrant discrimination. There were even acts of violence such as lynching and hanging. Some of the immigrants sought to come to America to earn money, and then go back home to Italy.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the domination of Italy by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini caused sharp tensions in Italian American communities (Life in Italy.com, January, 22nd, 2012). Italian Americans had to deal with racism and prejudice mostly in the beginning of World War Two. Many Italian Americans were made to stay with in so many miles from their homes. They were required to ask permission to go any further and had a tight curfew. Many Italian Americans were classified as “enemy aliens” during this time because of the war. Many Italian Americans were arrested and detained. It is sad but, they were even forced to stop speaking their native language. Many Italians stopped using their language in public and some even stopped teaching their children their native tongue. During World War II, Italian Americans were taxed with many types of discrimination including; double jeopardy and institutional discrimination. The main time that the Italian Americans were discriminated against was during the first few years of World War II. I culturally identify with both groups; Italian and American. I am half Italian and half Irish but born and raised in the United States. I may be half Irish but, I do not even associate myself as Irish. I lean toward the Italian side. I tend to cook more Italian and have Italian traditions that we follow at home in the family. Sunday is our big meal day and a day the whole family gets together. There are many American traditions that are followed also, for example, eating black eyed peas for New Year’s Day. However, when I think of something that is American, I think that most of the United States is made up of several mixtures of ethnic cultures. So, to say something is American culture, it is really a mixture of several different cultures. A little Asian, European, African, and Australian all mixed in to one. The different cultures are what make America the way it is. I am proud of my heritage and where I came from but, I am foremost an American. There are many things Italian that I have never experienced. Many foods and their ways have faded as my ancestors fade. I want to re-introduce the Italian ways of do things to my children so my grandchildren will know their heritage. I fear that my ethnic background will fade away as my descendants move on with their own lives. I remember stories told to me by my grandfather. He told me we were descendants of Benito Mussolini. After telling my children this, they have decided to dig deeper into our ancestry charts and history. This is just one more way I can do my part for my ethnic heritage.

References http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/italian_immigration.cfm http://www.lifeinitaly.com/heritage/italian-discrimination http://articles.philly.com/1995-05-10/news/25674821_1_enemy-aliens-italian-americans-italian-language http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa102500b.htm

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