Identity: a socially constructed idea that people use to define themselves. In Italy, the definition of Italian identity is changing as more and more immigrants arrive. Those of Italian decent, who call themselves ‘true Italians’ are scared that the image of Italy is changing. Some are embracing the ‘new Italians’ while others are taking steps in order to preserve the ‘true Italian citizens’. Through education, citizenship, religious and legal arenas the image of what Italian identity is continues to be defined.
In education, more schools are being faced with the issues of immigrant student attendance. In a lecture with Manka, we learned that Mariastella Gelmini, the Italian Minister of Education advocated and passed a law which caped classes with immigrant children at 30%. For many schools like Pisacane School, where they have 90% immigrant population, this is a current issues which portrays ‘Italian’ fears of a change in identity. With Gelmini’s law in effect, many immigrants are left to deal with these legal changes themselves. Where are immigrant children left to attend schools? Will limiting the amount of immigrant students really make a difference in what defines Italian identity? Changes are happening now. They are seen in schools and the students who attend. Like in Pisacane School, the population of students is changing. The efforts of government leaders may be trying to prevent it from happening, but they are only postponing the inevitable.
Another arena in which Italian identity is addressed is through citizenship laws. In lecture we discussed the rules and regulations of citizenship in Italy. Unlike the United States, citizenship in Italy is not granted at birth. At 18, people are allowed to apply for citizenship. Citizenship is only given to people whose parents are citizens (jus sanguinis) or after 10 years of residency in Italy. Immigrants often apply for residency verses citizenship. In order to receive residency in Italy, a person must have legal documents for five years, an adequate lodging, an adequate salary, and must pass an Italian language proficiency test. Even if all these requirements are met, residency can be refuted or take a very long time to receive. Recently a law was passed that requires all immigrants entering Italy in search of residency to have a job lined up before moving. All these laws and regulations show how much Italy’s government is trying to keep immigrants out. They fear that the idea of Italian identity will become an image of immigrants rather than ‘Italians’.
Italy is home to the center of the Catholic religion with Vatican City as the hub. It has been home to many popes and has witnessed its religious history unfold. Prior to Constantine, other religions were banned from being practiced within the Roman walls. Slowly after years of oppression, Christianity could finally be openly practiced. Today, there are several various religions observed within Rome. The Jewish Synagogue is still open and continues to hold Shabbat services regularly. Even the pope has visited the Synagogue. On the outskirts of Rome is the Mosque. It is the largest Mosque in Europe. Both of these establishments show how Italy’s religious identity is being changed. For centuries, Italy has been associated with the traditions and practices of the Catholic Church. The church has consistently been a face in Italy’s identity. Today though, new religious practices are emerging and the identity that was once based on a single religion is now confronted with a new image consisting of many beliefs.
Youth also play an important role in preservation of Italian identity. In a guest lecture by Amara Lakhous, he emphasized the importance of youth in Italy and that one of the key ways of understanding Italy was through its youth. Being young in Italy is often looked down upon; it’s a shame to be young and something to feel guilty about. Youth in Italy are associated with inexperience and immaturity. Older generations, those who are in positions of power, are preventing laws from being passed that create arenas of change. This is leaving Italy stuck in old traditions and practices. The older generations fear that the face of Italy is changing since 99% of immigrants entering the country are youth. Many of Italy’s best and brightest youth are leaving Italy because they see no future where they are. Despite efforts to keep Italian identity to remain ‘Italian’, many of those who embody it are turning elsewhere and new faces of Italy are replacing them. Resistance to the change in Italy’s youth is contributing to the lack of transformation in Italy’s identity.
Today, there are several locations where youth and other Italians can express themselves through art. One site we visited was the social center where graffiti was the main technique used. Graffiti is often seen around Rome. It is usual vandalism, but some times there are beautiful works of art. In Naples, we saw tagging, poetic messages, and breathtaking murals. In Rome we were able to visit a social center where there was plenty of free space for artists to come and express themselves through various artistic mediums. Youth from around Rome were welcome to come and use the walls as their paper and to host musical events. Many other centers around Rome had been shut down because people didn’t like all the youth being there. Another site of contemporary art that we were able to visit was the Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Roma (MACRO), which showcased many new and modern art pieces. There were a wide variety of exhibits, ranging from sculptures to sketches to photographs to videos. Many of the pieces dealt with current issues facing Italians. For example, Dan Perjovschi created The Crisis is (Not) Over, an exhibit made up of drawings and dioramas. The images he drew all represented different current issues. Contemporary works of art, such as Perjovschi’s, bring attention to the problems that may not be apparent. They create arenas for change and allow for a discussion about Italian identity. Sites like the social center with graffiti and the MACRO provide spaces for youth to create their own identity. They are changing what makes an ‘Italian’.
Literary works also have addressed the issue of Italian identity. In Amara Lakhous’s book, Clash of Civiliations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio, he addresses the topic of immigrants in Italy. The story follows the testimonies of several residents in an apartment building after the death of one of their fellow renters. Each resident expresses their ideas and conceptions about the other renters and whom they believe committed the crime. Lakous demonstrates the tensions between immigrants and the barriers that exist between them and Italians. After finding out that the main character, Amedeo is an immigrant, one of the residents asks; “Is it logical that a person who represents magnificent Italy is a foreigner” (87)? Although the book is fiction, Lakhous demonstrates the concept of Italian identity. Residents believed that Amedeo was Italian; he spoke the language and knew more about the history than anyone else, yet he was an immigrant. This shows that Italian identity is changing. Someone who is an immigrant can even embody the image of what Italian is and thus become a new face in what Italian identity encompasses.
Another literacy piece that demonstrates Italian identity is Multicultural Literature in Contemporary Italy. This book is made up of a selection of narratives told by immigrants. In the story Home…sickness by Kossi Komla-Ebri, a young girl struggles with finding her identity. After growing up in Africa, she moved to Italy to live with her brother and help him care for his family. Once in Italy, she discovers that her brother no longer practices the traditions of his African homeland. Everything she is used to and has grown up with is forgotten in Italy. Komla-Ebri eventually becomes accustom to an Italian lifestyle, with electricity, running water, and even forms of entertainment. After returning to Africa she still practiced Italian rituals, “Sundays, I cross the whole city to attend mass in the parish with the Combonian missionary priests so that at the end I can talk with them a little in Italian” (97). She continued to be “Italian” by practicing the language and attending church. Her life shows how an immigrant can become “Italian”. She identified herself as an Italian. Other works in this book, also demonstrate that what immigrants view as Italian can change. What Italians believe is ‘Italian’ is not always the same as what others believe it to be.
Times are changing in Italy. What used to be considered Italian 50 years ago is a faint memory of the past. Identity is always changing. In Italy, people are both embracing and ignoring the transformation that is taking place. My time here in Rome has been a personal witness to the resistance that still exists. Walking down the streets I constantly feel that I am looked at as an outsider. It may just be the way things are here or how they view Americans, but when I’ve traveled other places I don’t feel as unwelcomed. In America, smiling or greeting someone you don’t always know is usually received warmly with a smile or wave back. Even while on one of my travels in Barcelona, I got a very welcoming and friendly vibe. People would be more willing to smile or help with giving directions. But back in Rome I still felt like an outsider. It may be from my appearance that I am treated differently; I might be seen as an immigrant in Italy. From readings and lectures I’ve learned that many Italians dislike immigrants. Italians don’t like how immigrants have taken over their jobs and are continuing to enter Italy in increasing numbers. Many fear that the image of the ‘Italian’ is changing to that of an ‘outsider’; an immigrant.
So what makes an Italian? Is it just saying that you live in Italy? Or does it mean being of Italian heritage? Is it being able to speak the language? Or is it having the characteristics of someone we think of as ‘Italian’? Through education and citizenship laws we saw that steps are being taken to ensure that being Italian belongs to ‘true Italians’. But will these laws really ensure that Italian identity is seen through ‘true Italians’? Religious definitions are changing; Catholicism is no longer the only religion in Italy. Judaism and Islam are becoming more popular and thus changing the religious identity of Italy. Youth in Italy are also making a name for themselves. Through the use of art, youth are more able to express themselves and bring attention to the current issues of Italy. Books and other literary works are now being used more frequently to give a voice to the immigrants in Italy. It is through these writings that we are able to see how immigrants are integrating into Italian society. All these factors create what is making Italian Identity. The Italian identity today may not be the same in 40 years. What we view and perceive as Italian is always changing and something we may never be able to ‘correctly’ identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment