Anti-Italianism | Edited by William J. Connell and Fred Gardaphé | Macmillan (original) (raw)
There has been an odd reluctance on the part of historians of the Italian American experience to confront the discrimination faced by Italians and Americans of Italian ancestry. This volume is a bold attempt by an esteemed group of scholars and writers to discuss the question openly by charting the historical and cultural boundaries of stereotypes, prejudice, and assimilation. Contributors offer a continuous series of cultural encounters and experiences in television, literature, and film that deserve the attention of anyone interested in the larger themes of American history.
“ There are books that change your life, whether because they are so well written that they absorb you completely and remind you of the power of the written words or because their content is a revelation which introduces you to a new world. Anti-Italianism, Essays on Prejudice is undeniably of the second kind and it has left a deep mark on my soul. I am sure many readers will feel the same way about it.” —L’Idea Magazine
To read the entire review [Click Here](/web/20130606051501/http://us.macmillan.com/uploadedFiles/PalgraveTrade/Non-Menu%5FItems/Idea Magazine.pdf "Click Here")
About the Author(s)
By William J. Connell and Fred Gardaphé
William J. Connell holds the Joseph M. and Geraldine C. La Motta Chair in Italian Studies at Seton Hall University. He has published numerous books on Italian history. In 2009 he was elected a Corresponding Fellow of the Deputazione di Storia Patria per la Toscana.
Fred Gardaphé is Distinguished Professor of Literature, CUNY. He is the editor of Italian American Ways; Shades of Black and White: Conflict and Collaboration Between Two Communities; and From the Margin: Writings in Italian Americana, among others.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Invisible People: Shadows and Light in Italian American Writing—Fred Gardaphé * Darker Aspects of Italian American Prehistory—William J. Connell * “Between White Men and Negroes”: The Perception of Southern Italian Immigrants Through the Lens of Italian Lynchings—Peter Vellon * “Utterly Faithless Specimens”: Italians in the Catholic Church in America—Peter R. D’Agostino * Perversions of Knowledge: Confronting Racist Ideologies Behind Intelligence Testing—Elizabeth G. Messina * Frank Sinatra and Notions of Tolerance: The House I Live In_—Anthony Julian Tamburri * What Luigi Basco Taught America About Italian Americans—Dominic L. Candeloro * Affirmative Action for Italian Americans: The City University of New York Story—Joseph V. Scelsa * The Changing Roles of Italian American Women: Reality vs. Myth—Susanna Tardi * Prejudice and Discrimination: The Italian American Experience Yesterday and Today—Salvatore J. LaGumina * “Good Enough”: An Italian American Memoir—Joanne Detore-Nakamura * Stereotypes Sell—But We’re Not For Sale—Gina Valle * Shark Tale: “_Puzza da cap’ ”: An Attempt at Ethnic Activism—Jerome Krase * If Defamation Is Serious, Why Don't Italian American Organizations Take It Seriously?—LindaAnn Loschiavo * Transacting Guido: Contested Meanings of an Italian American Youth Subculture—Donald Tricarico
Video
Clips from the documentary film, "Anti-Italianism," shot at the conference that prompted this pathbreaking volume.
Watch Video (Duration: 7:50)