Italian Americans in Chicago

On Thursday, May 8, the Casa Italia in the Chicago suburb of Stone Park was the venue for the start of a three day conference dedicated to exploring the roots of the Italian American experience in the Chicago area. The official title of the conference was “Reconstructing Italians in Chicago: 25 Authors in Search of Roots and Branches.” It was both a celebration and a process of discovery.

Two of principal organizers were Dominic Candeloro and Fred L. Gardaphe, both professors of Italian American studies at their respective universities—University of Illinois at Chicago and New York’s SUNY. Their energy and enthusiasm was matched only by their hard work. Much of the success of the conference can be attributed to their vision, dedication, and sweat equity. Many other committed researchers and writers contributed to the success of the event.

The presentations were varied and my appreciation for my ancestors enlarged. Although I was able to attend only the first day, I was impressed by the energy exhibited. I learned a great deal that day, and, of course, ate well in the process. I would like to share some of the “epiphanies” I experienced.

Billy Lombardo is a spare and fierce young man. He is passionate about his writing, his family, and his Italian American heritage. Billy is gifted. After telling the audience about his Bridgeport neighborhood experiences, he read a portion of his book, The Logic of the Rose. WOW! What a magnificent command of language that man possesses. His book is a prose work well worth reading. His poetry must be fantastic.

The irony of early twentieth century do-gooders brought a smile to my face. Social workers and nutritionists tried in vain to eradicate the eating habits of southern Italians. They tried to replace their healthful diets of whole grains, olive oil, and vegetables with red meat and potatoes. Little could they have predicted that today’s Mediterranean Diet is lauded by the medical profession.

I had no idea that Italian American communities flourished beyond the near West Side of Chicago, near Taylor Street. There were so many neighborhoods with their churches and community organizations. There were too many neighborhoods to enable Italian Americans the political clout that the Irish and other immigrants have achieved. Several speakers indicated that this Chicago Diaspora within the larger Immigrant Diaspora was intentional. Italian American neighborhoods were gerrymandered to prevent political power accruing to this group. Chicago Italian Americans will never forgive Mayor Richard J. Daley’s theft of “Little Italy.” This vibrant neighborhood was sacrificed to the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Circle Campus.

Several of the speakers revealed the anguish they endured while struggling with academia in order to have the Italian American immigrant experience admitted as a field of legitimate study. Doctoral degrees were placed in peril just trying to get permission to explore the field. It remains difficult to this day. One must ask why our families’ experiences and the talent of Italian American writers are considered unworthy of scholarly study. The sting of rejection is a deep and extensive. It pervades our identity.

The stench of the Sopranos, the Godfather and the Black Hand lingers subliminally when others think of Italian Americans. It will never wash away. This stigma denigrates the accomplishment and generosity of the real Italian American. Will we always be different, sullied by the assumption that somewhere in each family tree lurks a Mafioso?

I have always been somewhat uncomfortable with my Italian American Heritage. My mother did not have Italian ancestry. I was the family’s first “half breed.” I never quite belonged. This separation deprived me of an appreciation of an important part of my identity. I have come to realize that my Italian American relatives were as vulnerable as I. Conferences like the one in Stone Park clarify memories. My Italian American heritage becomes a legitimate source of strength. Beneficial reconstruction of my roots was promoted by Thursday’s experiences. Wish you could have been there!