Back to The Roots: Italian American Identities in the US
On June 12th, the Calandra Italian American Institute of New York hosted an event entirely dedicated to young Americans of Italian origins. Co-sponsored by ILICA, the panel “The New Generation of Americans of Italian Origins: the Value of the Italian Heritage in the 21st Century” was the second event following one held back in February, which focused on the phenomenon of the so-called “brain relocation” of young Italians who moved to the US in search of a better
future.
Many young Americans connected to Italy, either because they were born from Italian immigrants or because they had relatives who moved to the US during the big immigration waves of the 1900s participated in the June 12th event.
The discussion was moderated by Anthony J. Tamburri, Dean of the Calandra Italian American Institute.
Three young panelists presented their experience as Italian Americans, their relationship with Italy and the challenges they face in today's fast-pace professional worlds during the panel discussion.
Nicholas Adamo is a 2nd generation young Italian American and is currently the President of Bullion Shark, LLC, a market maker in physical precious metals.
Steven Perrotta, also 2nd generation Italian American, is the Managing Partner of Perrotta Tax & Consulting Services, LLC and also a Real Estate Agent.
Salvatore Ambrosino, is a 4th generation Italian American, born in New York and has travelled frequently to Rome with his family throughout his life. He currently works as the Media and Communications Coordinator at the Italy America Chamber of Commerce (IACC), where he is also the IACC Liaison to the Young Executives Committee of the IACC.
For the three of them, Italy has been an important part of their lives in terms of cultural influence.
“After the World Cup, I got really excited and I told my parents that I wanted to travel to Italy to visit our relatives and start to learn the language and the culture,” said Nicholas, who wanted to go back to his Italian roots, which his parents and grandparents almost lost when they moved to the US. “It was nice to experience the real culture since it is very different from what people here tell you, since things change over time.”
“When my relatives moved here they wanted to assimilate with the American culture so they lost the language,” said Steven. However, he pointed out, certain traditions, for instance the holidays, did not change. “Of course they are Americanized, but we try to hold on to, as much as we can, to the values of my relatives who moved here. And I’ll try to continue to hold on to those values also for my children.”
“I feel equally Italian and American. I appreciate Italy with the eyes of an American and the heart of an Italian,” said Salvatore, who, even if he is an Italian-American of the 4th generation, is really attached to Italy and throughout his life and career has always tried to get closer to Italian culture.
Moreover, as Italian Americans, they all shared what would they choose as best of both countries.
“Italian culture is the best in terms of fashion, cuisine and lifestyle in general. However, American work ethics are better,” said Nicholas.
“American mentality is always about business,” affirmed Steven, who wanted to compare the way business is done both in Italy and America, since he has the opportunity and the experience of working together with Italian companies as well as American companies. “Working with Italian and European clients is different. You actually build almost a friendly relationship, because you get to know them on a personal level as well. That is the Italian and in general the European culture and I really appreciate that in a working environment,” he concluded.
“In America there is a more of a go-getter attitude. We are born and raised in a country where everything is possible. But in Italy you seek the beautiful things and learn to put the problems aside. As Americans we should learn to acquire and appreciate the beautiful things. The same goes for the Italians who move here. If they acquired the so-called go-getter attitude I am sure we could make beautiful things happen,” affirmed Salvatore.
Furthermore, they also discussed the influence of the media in representing the Italian American culture within the US. Presenting the example of the popular TV show “Jersey Shore,” they all agreed upon the distorted perception that media gives in terms of the Italian American identity.
“It’s really distorted. People have no idea of what real Italian culture is,” affirmed Nicholas. “It sheds a terrible light on what Italian Americans are,” added Steven. “It is a completely distorted reality,” affirmed Salvatore. “It’s just the portrait of an Italian culture being Americanized in a wrong way.”
After the insightful panel discussion, the event ended in the perfection of Italian style: with delicious food of course!
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