Writing Assignments # 9 - What is Italian Identity?

Only native Italians believe they know the “true” meaning of Italian identity. Majority of native Italians believe the real Italian identity is truly that: native Italians are the identity. This might be their view, but this is not true. Italy for Italians, as the current Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi preaches, is not a valid view of what Italy should be working towards, and also not a valid view of what Italy has been rapidly becoming.

Immigration is a key part of Italy’s culture, as much as Italians might not like to admit it. There are millions of immigrants in Italy, and a high percentage of those immigrants are illegal. The number of immigrants is also increasing with each year. These immigrants have developed and rooted out their place in the Italian identity. They are an extremely evident and contributing part of Italy, especially in specific neighborhoods of Italian cities, as well as in the south.

Because of the high concentration of illegal and legal immigrants in southern Italy, the south is somewhat separated from the north. The north is seen as more civilized, and because Italian culture, for the most part, is against foreigners, they are also against areas in the south. Many problems arise because of this clash of north and south. For one, northerners do not think of southerners as true Italians. This relates back to the real Italian identity. This identity is truly hard to define. Because of the high concentration of immigrants, many of who are second and third generation in Italy, Italian identity is not necessarily valid. This leads to the idea of who are actually citizens. Many immigrants are citizens, but many are not. It is hard for an immigrant to become an Italian citizen, and many are solely admitted to Italy on work visas for a temporary period of time.

In Rome especially, immigration, and the lack of Italian identity is very evident. Rome has specific areas of the city where, to a foreigner, one might think they are not actually in Italy. In the Esquilino Rione, the majority of businesses are owned by non-Italians, and the majority of its inhabitants are also immigrants. This can be seen in the market, and by simply walking around the neighborhood. These people have, however, developed their own thriving community not only in this neighborhood, but also throughout Rome, despite threatening tension from native Romans. This developed culture is evident through an orchestra that was created in order to unify the immigrants, but to also show their thriving culture in Rome. L’Orchestra Di Piazza Vittorio was started in 2002 and is still thriving today, despite their somewhat rocky start.

Italians must face and accept the new reality that is immigration into Italy. Tension and opposition to immigration is increasing, despite efforts against this. Italians must realize that immigration is a worldwide reality, and if embraced will make the country both a more cultural place, but mostly decrease the tension that is creating such a racial epidemic.