Assignment # 3: Piazza Victtorio Interviews

Gina and I decided to walk around Piazza Victtorio, as we explored our surroundings we thought of the best ways to approach people that would encourage discussions about their perspective on immigration. We considered purchasing a product and somehow transition into our interview.  We interviewed five individuals.  I will talk about four out of five interviews in Piazza Victtorio and will incorporate the perspective of another person who I had the pleasure of meeting at St. Paul’s.

The first person, an Italian vender owner woman around her forties, was the first we managed to speak to. I believe she was offended by our questions, she was under the impression that we thought she was an immigrant. She expressed that rules (immigration) needed to be regulated and followed and immigrants should abide by them. After a few questions, she asked us to leave because she had other customers to attend to. Her being offended by her impression that we thought she was an immigrant demonstrates that she doesn’t have positive views on immigration. However, what I found interesting is that she was working with immigrants and was surrounded by other immigrant vendor owners. Residues of the elder Italians perspective on immigration were embodied on a seventeen year old girl’s outlook on immigrants – the second person being interviewed. She was very well dressed and spoke Italian and a little bit of English. She talked about Piazza Vicottorio and expressed that lots of immigrants are there; some work and others don’t while others steal. She was definitely more open about her opinions about immigration than the older Italian woman. She also shared her stories in school – she mentioned that she has class with them and associates with them but they are not friends. I see a progression in feelings towards immigrants between both of these women. The seventeen year old acknowledges the presence of immigrants; but still will not form any form of relationship with them. As was discussed in lecture, many real Italians hold negative stereotypes towards immigrants. While some may consider this a progression, I would argue that it is not enough and we as agents of change should not allow ourselves to become comfortable with this change in perspective. On the other hand, we should keep encouraging – by making newer generations aware that this sort of perspective and treatment is not acceptable.

The third person that we interviewed was second generation Filipino – a twenty year old male who left home and school at the age of seventeen to begin to work.  His parents immigrated here and experienced the struggles with language and work. He has obtained his citizenship because he has demonstrated that he has stable work and a residence. He was born in Italy and as G2 members identified more with being Italian; he himself identified with being Italian. What I found very interesting was that he had a community where he can speak his mother tongues, celebrate traditions and customs. There is a sense of security and safety. This niche and sense of feeling secure was shared by an Ecuadorian immigrant. She is thirty-two years old woman who came to Italy to be employed as a domestic worker.  She lives with her mother and has also obtained her citizenship.  I asked if she would see herself forming a family in Italy or going back home.  She explained that she would rather stay here, in Italy, because of the medical benefits in Italy to those back in Ecuador. The person that I interviewed at St. Paul’s had a contradictory view. She explained that she left her two year old daughter back home with her parents to come to Italy. She sees not future for her daughter in Italy because of the institutionalized laws; which only segregate and make it difficult for immigrants to live. Her mind-set is to go back home and reunite with her family. She is a worker and explained that her wages are the same as other Italians; however, she doesn’t have the same benefits (pension, vacation, etc.). She also has no interest in becoming an Italian citizen. The stories that I have heard are all unique and though they share similar stories they are very different as well. Their experiences have shaped their perspective on life and in a way their goals. The ramifications that arise due to current Italian laws on immigration, as discussed in class, and lack of human right protection impacts the kind of life an immigrant can aspire to. And as reinforced by lectures laws on human rights exist in theory but are not applied in practice. So where does the law place these people? Why does the law choose for people?  These three particular stories have reinforced the idea that we need to pay attention to people’s needs and not what we think they need.

Further, I would like to ask the question: what does this situation suggest about Italy amd youth in general? What are the implications of my findings? And, how do we become catalysts of change by broadening individuals perspective and possibly tolerance towards differences?

Assignment #2: Roman and Italian Identity

The role of an individual, depending on one’s ‘race’ and gender and within one’s cultural and ethnic settings helps to establish ones’ personal and social identity and so one has inherent common characteristics. To capture the definition of identity; one must explore the differences, similarities and links between ethnicity, ‘race’, culture and gender. In Italy, race and ethnicity are factors that influence immigration to other states (Manka’s lecture). To discuss what makes Roman and Italian identity; migration theory and translational theory is one outlook to observe forces that form identity.

To better understand Roman and Italian identity and current issues of ‘others’ vs. ‘real Italians’ it’s beneficial to review the foundation and history of Italy. Race and Nation in Liberal Italy, 1861-1911 Meriodionalism, Empire, and Diaspora by Aliza S. Wong discusses 3 main aspects that have shaped the current divide of the North and South. First, the historical construction of the North vs. South has defined the National identity of Italy. Risogimento – process of unification and the means of how to get there where influenced by Cavour vs. Garibaldi – liberating vs. conquering the South.  Such ideologies created residual effect of where Northerners perceived Southerners to be racially inferior. Such feelings of superiority lead to the formation of stereotypes; where biological characteristics such as skin color, height, class parallel criminals. After the unification of the North and South; residual mixed feelings surfaced. The North was perceived to be upper class and superior; whereas, the South were seen as the real Italians, inferior (violent, uneducated, illiterate). Unresolved tensions between the North and South were heightened by emigration and formation of smaller colonies; the colonization of Africa (Libya, Ethiopia, and Eretria) leads to a wave of immigration into Italy. Control of influx and outflow of immigration is influenced by race and ethnicity – ‘ethnic mode.’

Further, Grillo and Pratt discuss the politics of difference (how you handle recognition), politics of recognition (recognition by the state), and politics of identity (how you represent yourself and how one is talked about in society) as crucial factors that influence identity. Hence, not only is an individual’s identity shaped by himself; but by the state and society. This intertwining of terms shape and define an individual’s identity but also leaves room for interpretation and preconceived notions to take part in the equation. How you/state view/identify me; may be similar or different to my view/identity of myself. This leads to changing and fluid definition of identity and Italian identity – what makes a real Italian? From whose perspective? From which lens? are we going to look in order to define Roman and Italian identity. Whom speaks for whom?

The book, Clash of civilization over an elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous exemplifies preconceived notions of Italian citizens imposed on an immigrant and their confusion as to what makes a ‘real Italian’. This struggle of defining identity is exemplified by Benedetta Eposito version of the truth, “if Signor Amedeo is a foreigner… then who’s a real Italian? (pg 34)  As it happens, Amedeo is a name given to this immigrant by Italian citizens; whose Italian skills and knowledge of Rome leads them to believe he is ‘a real Italian.’ Amedeo really Ahmed is confronted with a mix of identity; therefore he is confronted with questions like: “Who am I? Ahmed or Amedeo?” It’s not so simple of a question to answer. Am I this or the other? He captured the complexity of identity stating the “Arab proverb [which says]: You can’t fit two swords in a single sheath” (pg 29) answers such questions. Hence, it’s not so simple to define Roman and Italian identity. Rome is a city where people come from all over. Therefore, identity of Roman’s and Italian’s is vibrantly shaped by ‘others’ individual identity. Hence, to group all Roman’s and Italian’s with an all-encompassing general identity; would only rob and take away from the beauty of Rome. We (people born in Italy w/o Italian parents) are all Italians; we all have our own unique identity that creates current Italy. Through my own personal observation and conversations in class I have been led to believe that the myth of Italian and Roman homogeneity is no more; it is a country of heterogeneity.  

                                                 …the future is smiling…

bella roma

Before my flight to Rome I traveled to Mexico to visit my family. It was really great to see them for Christmas and New Years. I was especially thankful for being spoiled with my mom’s cooking. My mouth waters as I remember eating tameles, tortas, tostadas, tacos dorados y azados etc. My flight back to the States was a bit stressful since my bags were lost.  After ten hours of travel with layovers, this was the last thing I wanted to deal with. Thankfully, I received a call around midnight that my bags were found and was asked to go pick them up from the airport. After a couple of hours of sleep, it was time for me to unpack and pack again to prepare for my trip to Rome.

I recall arriving to the airport, to travel to Rome, with an unsettling feeling of “what did I just get myself into?” As I began to board the plane; I was reminded of the struggles faced by my parents when we settled to a new home in the United States. I was fortunate to learn English at a young age; however my family wasn’t – they only know Spanish till this day. I had forgotten of the privilege that comes along with knowing another countries national language. Once on land, a simple thing like, hailing a taxi felt like the most impossible of tasks to accomplish. I spent the remainder of the week exploring and becoming familiar with the surrounding of UW Rome center. I realized that Rome is a walking city and the cobble stones in the ground just add to Rome’s beauty; with or without pain in the palms of your feet. My general impression of the citizens of Rome is that they tend to be out late at night for dinner; which is afterwards greeted with a walk underneath the night-blue sky decorated with the stars. Whether; one explores Rome during the day or late at night – leading to early morning, Roma es bella. In my opinion, youth back home and in Rome tend to be out roaming the streets late at night. However, a difference that I have noticed is that youth tend to gather outside of bars and restaurants late at night; which is rarely seen back home.

For now this is all.  There is more to explore, many more places to see, more food to eat, and more formagio.

Ciao,

Say formagio