Assignment 3

Perine, Sha

Writing Assignment #3

The exercise in the Piazza Vittorio was very uncomfortable. The language barrier made everything more difficult then what it had been if we were in America. Though the interviews were nerve racking, it was a rewarding feeling after each to feel accomplished in having a conversation with someone from a different country and who didn’t speak good English. The hardest part was approaching the people. We never wanted to make the interviewee feel uncomfortable by walking up to them or by anything we asked. It also was quite difficult to find an Italian. There didn’t seem to be many in the neighborhood and the people that we did see walking around didn’t have a sign on their neck that said “Hey I’m Italian.” So it took some courage to just walk up to someone who appeared to be Italian. Then asking personal questions like “Are you Italian?” “Do you live in this neighborhood?” “How long have you lived in this neighborhood?” “How comfortable are you with the immigrants in this neighborhood?” to strangers, there’s always a chance that someone could react in an unmanageable way.  Anyhow, we got over our fears and hesitations and managed to pull off four different interviews with 7 immigrants, three of the interviews had two people in each and the last immigrant interview had one immigrant. Then we interviewed an older Italian man. He appeared to be in his mid 50’s. Some were more helpful than others but overall it was an enlightening experience.

Three out of our four immigrant interviews were with men from Bangladesh, and all together there were six men. One of the men have been in Italy for eight years and brought his family with him. He said that the money brought him here and that it is a lot better then money in Bangladesh. Unfortunately his children don’t go to school and though his face turned down a little, he didn’t seem too upset or disappointed by that. His friend didn’t say much other than that he liked Italy, he put his thumb up indicating that he thinks highly of it. The next two sets of men from Bangladesh seemed a bit redundant; they also were brought here for the money and with their families. Only, their English wasn’t as good as the first one.

Robby, a man from India was our most helpful immigrant interviewee. His English was outstanding and he even told us about his free health care that he is provided. He was going to show us the health card they are given but he didn’t have it on him. He added Laura on facebook and said that he would help her with anything that he could. He’s 24 and moved to Italy when he was 10 and learned English in school. He was a pilot but after September 11^th he wasn’t able to keep it. He owns many of his own shops now instead. Right across from the market is where we found him, selling clothes from a few booths. His family moved from India when his father was “shifted” from Germany because of a transfer in his job.

While walking down the street we often struggled choosing whom to pick to interview and were very hesitant to approach just anyone. We walked around the neighborhood for maybe fifteen minutes, taking note of the many stores and stands that were owned by immigrants. We then began to get discouraged because every time we thought we would come across an Italian, the store would be run by an Asian or and African. Finally as we were coming close to our starting point, the mouth of the park, we seen an older man that we were pretty confident in being Italian and Laura with the brave soul that she is gave him our introduction. “Ciao! Parli inglese?” He responded with an uncertain nod and she went forth. Well, we are American students studying education and immigration in Rome. Are you okay with answering a few questions?” As the man agreed, we finally being able to find an Italian relieved me. We asked him questions like “Are you Italian?” “Do you live in this neighborhood” “How do you feel about the immigrants living in this neighborhood?” Well he does live in the area and feels that the immigration has increased over the course of the last decade. He doesn’t like immigrants because they come from the countries, which are primarily China, and Bangladesh, to name a couple, with a lot of money and buys out shops and settles in. He also shared that he thinks that they get the money from the Chinese mob. Which was interesting because in the movie about the Piazza Vitorrio Orchestra, someone mentioned a rumor of some immigrants getting money from the Chinese mob. After while he was repeating himself and making it clear that he is against the immigrants settling in and that they are making everything worse for Italians.

Though we found some pretty good information and made friends with Robby, if we had been a little less timid to begin with, there is chance that we could have made even more progress. After all of our interviews, we sat on a bench in the park. On the bench next to us was a man without teeth and little hair, enjoying himself and looked like chewing tobacco. There were three little boys who looked like they ranged from eight to ten kicking a soccer ball around. And over to the far left of us were a lot of different people, congregated and engaging in many different conversations. In spite of initially feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the experience, I am glad that I at least took the time to look at my surroundings and take it all in. This neighborhood is a lot different than the Campo and it felt a little refreshing to see something different.

Assignment 2

Perine, Sha

Writing Assignment #2

Identity is difficult to define. It is a noun that is based off of perceptions and feelings, which are both drawn from opinions. No matter what numbers and stereotypes tell us, the person can only truly define one’s identity himself or herself.  Though stereotypes are built off of a piece of truth, but looked down upon when used to identify someone, they are often all that anyone initially has to explain and describe someone else. Even after learning so much information about Romans and Italians, interpretation will differ within people no matter the intentions of the teacher of whichever lesson. As the essay “To hell with Intentions” made me realize, someone can intend something and the outcome of their intentions can be completely in vain because it was not received in the way of which they meant it to. So while my purpose and goal of this assignment is to share what I have learned and show what I have taken away from the experience, I hope that it is not offensive to anyone.

As every race, culture and ethnicity has myths and stereotypes connected to it, Romans and Italians do as well. Before coming to Rome, I thought of Italians as hustlers. Al Pacino gave me the idea that any and every Italian has ulterior motives and possibly apart of the Italian Mob, also that they aren’t well educated. I never thought more into Italians past their great food and interesting accents. As far as “Romans” go, I automatically think of the bible days, the way that it says they would dress and “Roman Catholics.” Then I would think of Gladiator the movie and the fighting, but I never knew much about them as a people. Romans are the people of Rome but they are not easy to spot with the naked eye, as far as I have been able to see, they fit in as other native Italians. Then the question “what is a native Italian” is raised. Well I would say that a native Italian is one that has a lineage of Italian roots and was born in Italy. Then someone else might say that they don’t have to have lineage in a country to be a native. Identity is ultimately left up for interpretation.

The Italian government seems to make it quite difficult for many people in Italy to identify them as an Italian. In America, when a child is born on American soil, they are American. Well in Italy, even after being born there, their citizenship is not given to them as a right. As Ezekiel from Second Generation told us, in Italy citizenship is not a right and is not given to everyone; each person applies for citizenship at the age of eighteen and can either be granted or denied. This causes a potential issue for native Italians and immigrants. This furthers the issue of their possibly not even being an explicit Italian identity because things like citizenship cause there to be a perpetual divide. 

            Even for the people who immigrate to Italy, whether it is forced or willingly, they fall between the cracks. Then their children are left to identify with what they adopt. Some choose to identify with where they come from and others pick up the new culture. Alpha, the Senegalese man who works with Ezekiel, was born and raised in Italy and feels as though he is Italian. He’s comfortable here and has made it home.  Since he is “Black” and his parents are not from Italy, he is often not recognized as Italian.

Today, Brittany was telling our group about a man who told her that culture was based off of language. Further saying that she can no longer consider herself to be Italian because she speaks more English. This idea fascinated me because it reminds me of the Roma. Many people who don’t understand their culture think that they are underdeveloped and don’t want to be helped because of the conditions that they are put in and it may be that they are holding on to their culture. It is possible that some of them don’t want to go to school and learn another language and assimilate, they just wanted to change their location.

Until there is a clear and improved system built around citizenship in Italy and where immigrants and ineligible natives fall, identity will continue to be a struggle. There are too many dysfunctional aspects of the process and understanding to distinctly depict the true image and identity of an Italian. As of right now, I believe Italian identity to be what each individual considers it to be. Those who belong, feel like they belong and if they do not, then they will eventually emigrate out of Italy as some form of discomfort brought them to Italy.

           

Assignment #1 - Observation of Italian Youth

Since we have only been in a little under a week, I have yet to have an actual experience with an Italian youth, but I have made some observations. They may be a little bias, or accidentally discriminatory, but I really do not mean any harm.

Well a few nights ago when we were walking around becoming familiar with our neighborhood and some of the history, a saw a few people gathered together by some of the shops. It shocked me because a boy that looked pretty young, maybe 13 was smoking a cigarette. It looked like he was waiting on some of his friends and to pass the time he smoked. I found this interesting because in America there wouldn't a "pre-teen" as some call them, smoking a cigarette in public and it be found acceptable.

 I find it quite interesting, the many differences that are found just in something as simple as smoking a cigarette. Or 19 year olds casually drinking beer in bars or throughout the streets at night.

Last night, when walking home, we saw our first young person with baggy clothes. It was almost relieving because in Seattle I see it so much, it gave me a sense home.

I'm excited to further the experience with actually meeting a young person and having some substance behind my thoughts.

More to come!!!