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?