The WCPS Office of Equity & Excellence is excited to continue supporting WCPS efforts to create welcoming and inclusive environments with the recognition and celebration of Italian-American Heritage Month. We have provided for you resources to support your personal Equity Journey and that of your students.
Italian-American culture may well be one of the most integrated and visible ethnic cultures in the US. Italian cuisine, art, music and movie themes have been wildly popular for decades. While Italian-American contributions may seem very familiar, this community strives to preserve its language and heritage as well as confront cultural stereotypes that persist in the media. to We hope you will take some time this month to expand your understanding of this fascinating culture and learn something you didn't know.
As educators, we are charged with developing students' ability to view the world from multiple perspectives. In order to support our students, we must simultaneously develop our own understanding of perspectives that differ from our own.
Benvenuti a tutti
Currently, 15.9 million people in the United States are of Italian ancestry or 4.8% of the entire US population. This makes Italian American the fifth largest population of people within the US. We hope you will take some time during the next 30 days to explore the information provided in order to increase your awareness and that of your students. In this newsletter you can expect to see:
- A brief explanation of Italian American Heritage month
- A section on the history of Italians in the United States
- A section on Italian contributions to American culture
- A section on the challenges faced by the Italian community
- A section with suggestions for books, movies, TV programs and music that highlight the diverse cultural experiences of Italian American individuals and build your awareness.
- A section on current events
- A section with resources for teachers
Italian American Heritage Month
Did you know that it has been more than 140 years since the first Italians immigrated to the U.S.? Each year from October 1st to October 31st, since 1989, Italian American Heritage Month is recognized to honor and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants. The largest influx of Italian immigrants arrived to the US between 1880 and 1920, when coal mining companies were recruiting thousands of men to work the deep mines of West Virginia. Italian immigrants also found work on railroads and farms (New York Public Library). Italian American Heritage month is celebrated in October to coincide with Columbus Day.
Purpose: to celebrate the histories, cultures & contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Italy.
History
The history of Italian Americans immigrating to the United States is long, complex, and rooted in different causes for individuals and families. Many of the foundational elements of the United States are entwined with Italian Americans. American politics, entertainment, sports, science, etc., were shaped by Italian immigrants and their descendants. Click the button below to read more fascinating information about the immigration history of Italian Americans.
WCPS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2023
Contributions
For more than 140 years, Italian Americans have been an important part in the building of the United States. The influence of the Italian culture can be felt in many aspects of American life such as language, food, celebrations, entertainment, sports, government and so much more. Italian words have been hiding in the English language for a long time. Italian words are ever present in music, such as violin, soprano, piano, alto, allegro, contralto, etc. Common foods in the United States have Italian origins such as calamari, macaroni, risotto, tiramisu, nutella, espresso, pasta, and biscotti. Even Starbucks uses Italian words to denote drink size: grande, venti, trenta . Follow the link for more words frequently used words with Italian origin. Watch the the videos below to learn more about this diverse population.
Challenges faced by the Italian- american Community
During the first years of industrialization in the United States, nativism and prejudice towards immigrants rose at an alarming rate. During the years of what is called the "great Italian immigration", many Italian immigrants were blamed for taking American jobs. Anti-Italian sentiments were rampant in press and a full on attack was waged on Italian immigrants. The attacks, though, were not restricted to the press and began resulted in the attacking, vandalizing, burning and destroying of the homes and businesses of Italian people. Italian Americans were again targeted during WWII when many were considered "enemy alien" as fear of Italian spies and sabotage as rampant.
Italian Americans again came under attacked as war in the Europe during WWI raged and anti-Italian sentiments increased in the United States. The height of this was during 1920 when there was great tension and unrest in the United States. Italian immigrants and vowed anarchists, Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, were arrested and charged for the murder of payroll clerk Frederick Parmenter and security guard Alessandro Berardelli and stealing $15,000. Even with a lack of evidence and appeals, Sacco and Vanzetti were found guilty and executed in 1927. This event highlighted the anti-Italian and immigration views during this time and the fear many felt. Read the links below for more information!
Italian Americans continue to work to preserve their rich cultural heritage and traditions while integrating into American society. Balancing Italian and American identities can be challenging. Maintaining a connection to Italian heritage can be a delicate balance for Italian Americans, especially for those in mixed-cultural families. Italian Americans continue to confront negative stereotypes associated with organized crime and intelligence perpetuated by media, that can affect perceptions. Italian Americans continue to advocate for greater recognition of their contributions to American society and culture.
Resources to build awareness
Deepen your cultural awareness by watching movies and television programs that are written by Italian writers, read books by Italian authors, listen to Italian influenced music and try some authentic food from the Italian culture.
A quick internet search offered this list of local eateries: (not exhaustive or an endorsement of any establishment)
- Dolce
- Cafe Italia
- Olive Garden
- Fratelli Italian Pizzeria & Grill
- Brothers Italian Restaurant
- Vince's New York Pizza & Italian Restaurant
- Marco’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
- La Trattoria Pizzeria
- Dino's Pizza
- Rocky's New York Pizza And Italian Restaurant
- Tony's Pizza and Italian Restaurant
- American Pie Pizzeria
No resource collection is complete without music!
Current events
Teacher Resources for the Classroom
Virtual tours/online exhibits
In an effort to find relevant, meaningful resources that can support our students and connect to curriculum, we will continue to update this resource. We hope that you find something of interest. Look for additional resources this year that celebrate cultures across our school system and the nation. Wishing you a successful school year!