They take serious offense to being called white and MUST be reffered to as Italian.They are very prideful people and the kids are 1st generation Americans who also feel the same way. They feel as though the genetic makeup of "true Italian people" is too broad to be considered one race and that white Europeans contributed very little to the ethnicity of Italians. They have pretty dark skin and course hair. I heard something about North African DNA being very prominent in Italians from certain regions because Africans travelled there on trading routes and vice versa and some settled, causing the cultures to "mix" over the centuries. What do you think of this? Are they being picky and difficult or just plain old prideful?
2006-09-27 03:53:38 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
Your neighbors that came from Italy in my opinion are white. I am 2nd generation Italian American. My grandmother came here during the late 1800s. I remember her skin being darker than ours. My mother was 1st generation Italian American and her skin was lighter although not light. We, her children are a mixture. That may be because we have European roots such as English and Irish. Two of my siblings have darker skin than the rest of us so they must take after our mother. However, the rest of us (6) have fair skin. As far as I'm concerned we are white.
I'm married to a 1st generation Italian. His father never expressed that he considered himself as non-white.
Whatever your neighbors are, I hope their nice people.
2006-09-27 04:03:49 · answer #1 · answered by Juanitamarie 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Italians are very proud of their heritage. there is nothing wrong with that. They are just trying to teach their children how important their heritage is. To them being called white is offensive apparently. If I were you I would just respect their preference. If you think about it people who come from many different places are proud of where they come from. If it were an African family or Mexican family living next to you would you call them a white family because their children are first generation born in the US ? They also are proud of where they come from and would be offended.
2006-09-27 04:11:56 · answer #2 · answered by lil_jules_74 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hey if I was Italian I'd want to be called Italian, I'd want to be called what I am. As a white person I prefer to be called caucasion nothing wrong with being proud of your heritage, it's when you push it off on others it becomes a problem.
2006-09-27 03:56:50 · answer #3 · answered by MOVING 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You sound very intelligent and I think you believe all the answers to be the exact questions you ask at the end of your question. To me, they sound as though they are incredibly stuck in generations of unpenetrable ethnic pride and dedication to their heritage....it is almost seems to be "a religion" to them. If their beliefs give them pride and a sense of deep honor...good for them. Your facts are accurate in reference to the people of Africa traveling through Europe...causing more than a little cultural infusion...
2006-09-27 04:23:24 · answer #4 · answered by MUMNY 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am italian, and I'm white (but I can reach a great tan in summer! :P)... I live in southern Italy, and we are nearer to North Africa than to the rest of Europe, but... we're not a "race"! And your neighbours are a little weird :) I'm curious... from which part of italy are they?
2006-09-27 06:36:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like they believe that being "white" is a negative thing. It's silly. White is a color, not an ethnic group. There are worse and bigger things in the world to ***** about than whatever it is they are upset about. It also sounds like they have a pretty large chip on their shoulder for some reason. People like that should have to watch a documentary on the Holocaust or something similar to put their grievances in perspective. I hate people that are all about "me, me, me" and "what can you do for me, or what have you done to me?". Pitiful.
2006-09-27 04:53:06 · answer #6 · answered by southerngirljw 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you live in Italy you are Italian..If you live in America ..you are American...If You Are a Legal American that is... If they are not American yet...they are Italian. I am a 2nd generation Italian. My Family and grandparents refer to ourselves as proud Americans. Race doesn't enter into it. Who cares what color..we are all Gods Children.
2006-09-27 07:41:22 · answer #7 · answered by Grandma Coffee 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
no I don't think they are over-reacting. Because in actuality they are Italian NOT white. It's a difference. I would like to be called what I am not just any old thing for the sake of calling me something. I think Italians are just as important as whites so why not be acknowledged as such. Don't just call me what you want to if I'm Italian then refer to me as such. However I'm black but wouldn't you want to be known for who you are and not "considered" anything otherwise?
2006-09-27 04:03:04 · answer #8 · answered by sha scrilla 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Being Italian is an ethnic class. I say they can be called whatever they want. I don't see it as a race issue.
2006-09-27 03:55:23 · answer #9 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Africans that could swim, became Italians.
2006-09-27 07:33:06 · answer #10 · answered by blue eyed devil 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋