“Italians Count”: A Look into the Italian American Population and Identity
Faculty Mentor
Kassahun Kebede
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
5-7-2024 9:05 AM
End Date
5-7-2024 9:25 AM
Location
PAT 306
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Sociology and Justice Studies
Abstract
Ethnic identities, whether symbolic or not, significantly impact society, shaping how people perceive others and themselves. This paper focuses on the experiences of Italian-Americans in the United States. The decision in 2010 to remove 'Italian-American' as an ethnic option in the US Census sparked a cultural and social awakening among people of Italian descent. Using the census event as a pivotal moment, this paper examines the challenges and history of Italian-Americans and their integration experiences. Using qualitative analysis, it traces the experiences of forced assimilation, especially during the immigration boom of 1880-1930. Due to their darker skin, family-oriented culture, and the pervasive stereotype that they are all criminals, the Italian-American population has struggled to find a voice or resonate with a true Italian-American ethnic identity; it has always been one or the other. The 'Show your pride and identify as Italian-American' campaign, societal integration, and the continuity of ethnic lineage are focal points in this paper. By analyzing published literature such as books, articles, and documentaries, this paper discusses the history of the Italian-American population and its challenges, integration, and contributions.
Recommended Citation
Prescott, Mekynzie J., "“Italians Count”: A Look into the Italian American Population and Identity" (2024). 2024 Symposium. 3.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2024/op_2024/o2_2024/3
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
“Italians Count”: A Look into the Italian American Population and Identity
PAT 306
Ethnic identities, whether symbolic or not, significantly impact society, shaping how people perceive others and themselves. This paper focuses on the experiences of Italian-Americans in the United States. The decision in 2010 to remove 'Italian-American' as an ethnic option in the US Census sparked a cultural and social awakening among people of Italian descent. Using the census event as a pivotal moment, this paper examines the challenges and history of Italian-Americans and their integration experiences. Using qualitative analysis, it traces the experiences of forced assimilation, especially during the immigration boom of 1880-1930. Due to their darker skin, family-oriented culture, and the pervasive stereotype that they are all criminals, the Italian-American population has struggled to find a voice or resonate with a true Italian-American ethnic identity; it has always been one or the other. The 'Show your pride and identify as Italian-American' campaign, societal integration, and the continuity of ethnic lineage are focal points in this paper. By analyzing published literature such as books, articles, and documentaries, this paper discusses the history of the Italian-American population and its challenges, integration, and contributions.
Comments
Global Migration Experiences
The four presentations from 9:05am - 10:40am comprise a session on global migration experiences. This session will showcase the experiences of first and second-generation immigrants in the United States. Each paper examines the unique challenges and cultural negotiations faced by these communities, providing insight into the broader themes of assimilation, cultural retention, and identity formation. The first paper investigates the Italian American experience, tracing the historical migration patterns and how they have shaped the community's identity in contemporary America. The paper on Filipino immigrants in the US sheds light on the challenges faced by newer immigrant communities, particularly in relation to mental health. The two remaining papers present the experiences of second-generation immigrants. The first paper explores the identity struggles and cultural negotiations of the Thai-Taiwanese American second generation. Similarly, the second paper on second-generation Mexicans discusses the complexities of identity for those straddling two 'bordering' cultures. Together, these papers provide a comprehensive understanding of the diverse experiences of the global population movement.