Finally Being Recognized
This article discusses the efforts made at home by Italians and Italian Americans in Boston during World War II. Lyons mentions efforts form children enlisting for the war to buying $100,000 worth of war bonds. During the war, many Americans still had a negative view because they did not know of the efforts made by Italians. The Italians in the United States were also under suspicion of being fascist. Italians were looking to show the public that they wanted to help their new country. This source is important because it shows that the American public took notice of the efforts by Italians. This type of publicity could have been part of the reason the public changed their views on the Italians. Combine this type of article with the picture collage seen in Chicago’s newspaper and you have a new wave of positivity and respect paid to the Italian community for their help in World War II (Chicagoans of Italian Heritage Fighting for Freedom July 1945).
From Second Class to a Brother
This picture shows the 750th Tank Battalion during World War II. The men in the picture have their arms around each other while they smile with a tank in the background. These men are not in formation or any type of military attention position. Instead, they are acting like brothers who are simply having a good time despite being in France. During World War II, many Italian immigrants and the children of immigrants enlisted to help their new country. The United States could use all the help they could get from the public and this wave of enlistees was recognized and greatly appreciated. This source is important because it shows that some Italians developed brotherly relationships with citizens of other ethnicities. This source also shows how one common goal, in this case winning the war, can bring people together no matter what the boundaries are. Back home, pictures of Italian men who served were celebrated by whole communities. This can be seen in Chicago where the local newspaper chose to celebrate the Italians who served with a picture collage (Chicagoans of Italian Heritage Fighting for Freedom July 1945).
Respect From the Public
This picture is actually multiple headshots combined together. The headshots are those of Italian immigrants who reside in Chicago. These Italians (25,000 total) helped their new country by serving in the United States Military during World War II. The picture was published in the Chicago Herald American. Each picture has the name underneath to make sure everyone was recognized properly. The 1940s saw a decrease in the Italian immigrant prejudice. The prejudice took a great dip after many citizens realized how many Italian immigrants served. This source is important because it shows the gratitude and respect the American public paid to the Italians. Instead of being recognized for crime, poverty, or their limitations (such as being illiterate), the Italians were recognized for something positive. This article shows a stark contrast to the Boston Daily Globe article which pointed out a murderer for being Italian (Boston Daily Globe Oct. 17, 1907).
The Final Straw
In this article, the author discusses the actions that certain Italian communities are taking to eliminate slurs from mass media, especially television shows. Generoso Pope Jr. is leading the charge and states that the slurs and false stereotypes should no longer be broadcasted. By the 1950s, there had already been a large shift in the public perspective of Italian immigrants. This flip in opinion was due to the huge turnout for World War II. By this point, the Italians feel that they should no longer be disrespected. I believe this source is important because it shows that Italian immigrants and the children of immigrants were looking for a change for the better. By changing the depiction of the Italians in mainstream media, then the constant prejudice may stop. Many of these people fighting for change grew up with the fear of having to hide their true identity like Cosma Sullivan did during her childhood (Cosma Tangora Sullivan January 17, 1986).