The US is relatively unique in that many have come from different places to comprise what the country is today.  Growing up in Brooklyn, NY during the 70s and 80s, we had people from all over the world.  A very common question in my neighborhood was “What are you?”. 

In that place and time, the logical response was “I’m Irish”, “I’m Jewish” or…”I’m Italian”.  It was fully understood that you did not literally come to the US from your native country.  The understanding was that we were referring to our heritage.  Let’s call it semantics…but I have always been “Italian” in the eyes of just about everyone I know.  I understood that to be the case until later in life.

In spending more time with immigrant Italians as I traveled and aged, I noticed something during conversations.  Native Italians didn’t understand why Italian Americans referred to themselves as “Italian”.  We were born in the US, often did not speak much Italian and our cultural references were more focused on stickball, basement apartments and Frank Sinatra.  We were not as focused on the Trevi fountain, soccer or opera.  Immigrant Italians are correct.  I am not Italian by strict definition; I am Italian American or perhaps American with Italian ancestry.  However, in the vernacular of US culture…I am Italian. 

I also noticed at events; separate cliques of native Italians and Italian Americans developed (I’m sure commonality of language plays a very big part).  That’s a natural occurrence, however; those that ridicule or generate animosity between later generation Italian Americans and themselves seem misinformed to me.  A proud Italian American often reveres and cherishes his immigrant grandparents/great-grandparents and fights to keep traditions alive.  They may work to learn their history and reconnect with their past.  I’ve never understood why a native Italian would have issue with people so clearly celebrating and supporting Italian culture, despite the differences.  I do realize that they often do not relate to, advocate for or desire the Italian-American culture to be synonymous with true Italian culture.  I’m sure that perception can be frustrating for many native Italians.

I am fortunate to have great relationships with several immigrants from Italy – “true” Italians, if you will.  With that said, one native Italian had complained to me that “Frank (an Italian American) told me he’s Italian and kept me on the phone telling me about his family…what is it with these fake Italian people you have in the States?  They’re American but say that they’re Italian”.  I proceeded to explain that in the US, we respond with our heritage when asked “what are you” because we are in an immigrant nation, for the most part.  Frank’s response is typical in the US.  I realize that in most other countries, that is not the case. 

Additionally, I mentioned that Frank feels a connection to him.  He would be like a celebrity if he visited Frank’s house (which he was invited to do) and that Frank’s grandparents came from Italy and lived in a tenement in New York City.  Frank is the first of his generation to go to college and believes his work-ethic and ability to overcome is due to his Italian heritage.  Frank is a dedicated family man.  Is that a person he wants to ridicule or make feel like an imposter?  Thankfully, most of the native Italians are more accepting, has been my experience.

What I’ve described is not a one-way street.  I remember the later generation Italian Americans teasing or making fun of their immigrant neighbors and family members.  Italian immigrants were labeled as “off the boat” and were considered to have provincial ways.  Perhaps they didn’t speak English, or they couldn’t understand why things were a certain way in the US.  They would sometimes be marginalized or ignored by the more Americanized group.

In the end, I hope Italians and Italian Americans align to share and support the common threads between us.  There will always be affectionate jokes and commentary.  Unity starts with ultimately understanding the history of our people from Italy in the 1800s to the US today.  Yes, we in the US are mostly Americanized Italians and the two cultures are different from each other, but with shared traits.  In my opinion, we are interdependent as we move forward.  Both cultures have a lot more in common than may meet the eye.  Yes, I was born in the US…as were most of my family & friends.  I’m much more Italian American than I am Italian.  But…hey, I’m Italian too.