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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ส.ค. 2023
- #ancestry #findingyourroots #immigrants #americanhistory #italians #genealogy #italy #mafia
For the first time ever, I sit down to interview my dad about his family's Italian-American heritage. My dad candidly shares his personal experiences, including painful moments during the process of becoming "seen" as an American. I ask him about the mafia, why we didn't learn to speak Italian, his reaction to the phrase "White privilege" and his thoughts on the court cases I've been discussing on the channel (he's an attorney!) and why he loves America. Come sit down with us and hang out:)
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Come join me on a new docu-series that explores identity, racial tensions in the South during the 20th century, and the unique experiences of those who historically called Louisiana home.
My name is Danielle Romero, and all my life, I have romanticized Louisiana.
Growing up in New York, it represented a place where I could step back the sepia-toned life of my great grandmother, Lola Perot, who died before I was born.
Now, it was time to go back to Louisiana--although I had no idea what the truth would be or what questions to ask---who was Lola really? Who were we?
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If buy something through these links, we may earn affiliate commission. Thank you for supporting this project!
I experienced this, too. Isn't it ironic that the people "mocking" our skin tone are the very ones who try to get a tan?
My dad always says this! He said be proud of your olive skin ☺️
Like pale Italians? lol
Of course because a tan will always look more attractive and healthier.
It's happening in all ethics unfortunately.
@@angeebb3080 And that is your personal opinion, nothing more lol.
Plenty of people are more attracted to pale skin, especially with dark hair.
Your daddy is a handsome man and a good storyteller, thanks for interviewing him, hug him close, I lost my dad soon to be 4 years ago and it's a hurt that never quite goes away.
I lost my dad 4 years ago as well
I lost my father 14 years ago and still miss him badly
Never goes away
@rhondalight70...He looks quite a bit like Tony Danza (taxi)
Yes he is handsome 😍
I grew up in Bay Ridge Brooklyn.I wasn’t aware of prejudice against southern Italians,since we were the majority.
Once our family moved to Long Island,I personally experienced discrimination due to my heritage from Anglos.I got into quite a few fights in school,and was unapologetic for my behavior.
So I learned to speak Italian fairly well,and followed the advice of my grandfather.”Mind your own business,make your money,and the best revenge is your success”.
At age 40,I realized that no one could knock the chip off my shoulder,so I knocked it off myself.
My Italian language skills,have of course diminished with age,since very few of us still speak the language.
I’m now 77 years old,and live fairly well.When I hear the innuendos,I just walk away.
I lived in Bay Ridge as a very young child. I was a rarity being Jewish. Everyone around us was Italian and Norwegian. The Italians all went to Catholic school, Our Lady of Angels so I was a bit of an outsider but I never felt that. We loved our Italian and Norwegian neighbors. We all felt like we were family. Bay Ridge was a great place for that. Next we moved to Sheepshead Bay and there we were in the majority and we embraced our Catholic neighbors who were now in the minority there. I have to say though at that point everyone was white.
Aye bay ridge!I love that neighborhood. I go there a lot and I still feel the italian-ness lol. But there's also a good balance of arab and eastern European ethnicities as well. And some Greeks. I even think there's still some irish-ness left as well.
Anglos discriminate against everybody, that's not new.
I personnally blame it on jealousy. Their food suck, their wives are stern, their kids don't listen, and so it would every man.. "cranky".
So they have to vent their frustration on someone. Like Al Bundy, in the sitcom "Married with Children".
@@MrArtVendelayyou mean the U S government relabled everybody a "white people " who was not "black" which created the racially divsion now being promoted in the school and press. The racist laws that were passed agaist all southern and eastern now labeled "europeans " in 1921 and 1924 were passed by an English Anglo Saxons and nordics dominated U S congress. Only they were considered part of the true white race during the Jim crow laws/eugenics era .
I had a similar experience as an Italian American growing up in the south in the 1980s and 90s. It's nice to see someone recognize this stuff did happen to people. Great content!
It was not that long ago at all, that's what is so surprising to me. 1990S, I was a kid in school!
I never heard of it so I need to look it up was it related to racesism or something else
This background and still dish out bigotry too.
It stopped you you and yours , but continues for us so please stay in your lane
@@gloriacoleman62 🙏
Dad has a great personality and his humanity and kindness comes through in the video.
Very humble personality!
This was very interesting to listen to your dad give us a peak into some of his expierence(s) as a young Italian-American growing up in the USA. As a African-American women, I too share the same love for America even though we've have (still) experiencing struggles (not just to us but also within us) just due to our "skin color". As your father stated at the end, the foundations of America were designed for US to work at "becoming" a more perfect union - for all. We have the ingredients, we must be brave enough to tear through the fear (of not knowing one another) and Bake the Cake! Cake is good!!!!
yes!!
Please, the Italian and Irish spent all their time fighting blk people while blk people folk for justice, fucc those ass kissers. 😅
I'm Southern. Don't forget about fried chicken. We white people love fried chicken, and we know which kitchens serve up the tastiest, the ones with the best secret recipes.
We white folks don't need anyone to tell us we cannot cook pasta dishes right.
@@JackMason-oq8lf😂
What a lovely solid guy your Dad is, Danielle 😌 My Dad passed at 53 when I was 28. Treasure your Dad 🙏
Thats ironic. My dad was 53 when he passed. I was 28 as well.
😊👍👍This country needs more great dad's like yours , you're very lucky to have him !!!
I owe him my love of history and law (despite his best efforts on the latter)
They mocked his skin color. Now they’re spending millions of dollars a year trying to get a tan. People are so fickle.
Envy
Long over
Everything White isn't always right. And everything Black ain't always whack ❤
My great uncles beat italian ass in the bronx and harlem growing up and I never saw them sit out in the sun once. So who are you talking about? Also getting a tan and being a darky are not the same thing dumb dumb.
Or getting color sprayed on. Like the former prez.
It’s so cool to see how careful he is to protect her feelings while describing the slurs his family endured.
That's a luxury we don't have being careful on our words could be the last ones spoke
Thank you for this interview, great info. I’m a 70 year old light skinned Mexican American, born in Texas, but raised in California and we experienced a lot of what you’re father did, also I believe because of our tan colored skin. Oh I love Italian food too.
So kind......let me know if you understand italian more or less and i will send you a link on italian dishes.
You guys transparency is very refreshing
I appreciate that a lot. To me there is no point in talking if we are going to beat around the bush. Too much of that these days
How old is Dom?
64❤
It was a very engaging interview, congratulations! I am a southern Italian (the distinction between north and south is very important for us Southerners and northerners). The south of Italy's population (and Sicilian) has an ethnic heritage that is Arabic, Norman, Greek, Albanian, French and Spanish due to the several invasions during history. During the Roman period, the South of Italy was predominantly Greek, and they would also speak Latin but the South was known as 'Magna Grecia'. Generally, we Southerners are darker skinned compared to the Northerners. Most of the Italians that migrated to the US were of Southerner origins. Remember a great Italian-American of Southerner origin who was mayor of New York and, later, senator Fiorello La Guardia.
Can people leave me alone?
Don't forget your Moorish DnA
@@ellacarter1442
I read somewhere that the Berbers were in North Africa. I forget their original name.
@@ellacarter1442 Thank you, since it's probably where that Southern Italy 'dark skin' (Olive) came from...
@@ellacarter1442 There's saracen DNA. The Moors were in Spain...Get your history correct
So well done. Thank you for intellectualizing this experience. It is much needed
I’am Puerto Rican me and my two Sicilian friends have the same complexion we would hang out in middle Village & Glendale
queens New York some people would call us the N-word and tell us to get out their neighborhood.
who were the ones doing this
Your dad makes me miss my dad even so much more.
oh my gosh, Im so sorry :(
These conversations are so important. I did this with my nonno before he passed away. His memories are my most prized *possession*
Beautifully put.❤
What a wonderful video. What an awesome blessing to be able to have this kind of conversation with your dad.
Love your dad. His energy is so calming and warm.
Great conversation blessings to you, dad, and the family. 🙏🏼
For 64 your dad looks really great. He must live a really healthy lifestyle
Coffee for breakfast every day:)
@@nytnwow! He looks ten years younger.
64!? Wow. This is coming a young-looking 66 yo Asian man.
I gained at least 108 Italian relatives through marriage 30 years ago. They all came to our wedding.
Genes
He's Italian!!!
That was such a nice informative interview with your dad, thanks for sharing.
Italian discrimination was even apart of 19th century Europe.
Read the mystery of Charles Dickens' "The Mystery of Edwin Drood."
Also, in the late 80s, I had an Italian-American coworker who bitterly recalled the intense discrimination she suffered in Catholic school from the predominately Irish-American nuns and classmates.
agree
That's so sad.
Any discrimination that Italians faced in Europe was centered on the fact that they were largely catholic. The same kind of discrimination that Irish people had faced for a long time going back to the time when Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church. The same can the best the discrimination that Spaniards faced which in turn spawned the black legend.
@@gloriathomas3245 , it also had to do with the olive skinned tone as noted in the Charles Dickens' book: The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
@@saltwatertaffy7020 discrimination was always driven by anti-catholicism. Where do you think Spain's black legend comes from and still persist?
I just have to say, your family on both sides are SO good looking! I really envy your skin tones & bone structure. Both your parents are very attractive, as well as your grandma & Lola! You are so fortunate to have such an interesting family story, & I can't imagine how PROUD you must be that they all overcame so much adversity, & now can enjoy their success & also have fun finding all of your roots!!😍🤗🤩 P.S. I just can't help myself...your dad is soooo handsome!!!😂😂😂
This was so generous, thank you! I am so thankful to have folks like you here with me, it's so much more fun to learn together, it really is. I hope you are starting the journey on your family as well
@@nytn I am, & I can't wait! I already know there are some "family secrets", so that just made me more eager to dig them up! Err, dig up the secrets, not any family, lol. 🤣
Interesting interview. The beauty is you have started the conversation in your family and generations to come won't have to wonder about the things you and your father (or you and your mother) sat down and talked about and recorded ❤
I thought about that, how much I would pay to get an interview from family 50 years previous. Literally priceless.
Another amazing video you have created, Danielle! Many thanks!
Great stuff, Danielle, once again!
Salute to you and your dad for sharing a very interesting interview, which I very much enjoyed. You really have a good thing going on with your channel. 🎯
Your father is wonderful. He's the kind of person who created America. I wish everybody could hear him talk about America. He really gets it.
Your bisnonno's choice of being a tailor - "sarto" in Italian - had a cultural significance in Southern Italian society. The reason this group of tradesmen was respected is because they were derived from the lower classes and yet had direct, personal contact with the "signoria" - rich merchants, military, aristocrats, Nobility, and Royalty. Also, the sarto saw himself as a stepping-stone to providing formal educations for his children, which was the highest ambition for the opportunity in Italy at that time. It makes sense that your father's uncles became professionals. Your father's experiences reflect my own, having been born in 1955 in South Philadelphia and raised there and in Southern New Jersey during the sixties and seventies. All of my grandparents were immigrants from Mezzogiorno but both of my parents were American-born. Interesting interview! Brava!
This is far most the best documentary of first-hand experience being told with non bias restraints of truth and intelligence. THANK YOU AND YOUR FATHER FOR SHARING.
Very wonderful interview with you dad. I appreciate what he said, the way he said it, how he said it, and all that he said it. Thank you.
What do you think about my dad's Italian-American experience? Was it similar to your family story? Let me know!
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That sounds so similar to our family history, too. I think Italians don't know enough about our roots here in the US.
I don't know how I stumbled across this video, but I am so glad i did. What a great conversation! Your Dad is so down-to-earth and real. When I think of Italian Americans, my mind does not automatically jump to the Mafia, but to people like you and your Dad, normal people just living their lives and proud of their heritage without bashing anyone else's heritage. Your Dad is such a handsome man too. Very easy on the eyes for sure! I'm going to check out more of your videos.
You're too kind! I have an Italian playlist Im constantly adding to: th-cam.com/play/PLvzaW1c7S5hRqNP0hfcOXGRuhqgJ0nPZ1.html
There will always be stereotypes and assumptions with a group of people.
One thing I'd like to point
out is that Southern Italians and Sicilians like Northern Italians are not completely homogeneous, the south also has light complexions, not as many but its share as well. Between us Sicilians, someone's complexion is of no importance, we know of our history and genetic makeup. Skin color is more of a North American obsession.
This is a fascinating video and very relatable. My Mom's family are Southern Italians from Calabria but ethnically they are Arbëreshë, meaning Italo-Albanians, whose ancestors fled Albania, Greece and the Ottoman empire starting in the 14th and 15th centuries. They still live in their own villages, speak a dialect of Albanian, have maintained their culture for hundreds of years. They are different from Italians with whom they did and do intermarry. They are usually very tall and their skin colour ranges from very fair to very dark.
My great grandmother came to NYC in the 1890s with her sister after their parents both died in a flu epidemic; they were just 13 and 15 years old. They were literally destitute, dirt poor. My great grandmother never wore a pair of shoes until she came to NY. Nana had very dark olive skin, black hair and black eyes, but her sister was the complete opposite, fair skin, red hair and green eyes. They lived on Cherry Street and Mott Street in Lower Manhattan before movng to NJ, which was the "country" then. They faced a lot of discrimination, even from other Italians, because they were from Calabria, spoke no Italian and looked very "swarthy." All Nana's children were born in the US. When my grandmother went into NYC for a secretarial job, she was told they wouldn't hire dagos or wops. She learned not to let anyone know they were Italians.
Lucky for the family, their surname was actually Greek but sounded very ambiguous. So she applied for a job at the Morgan Guaranty Bank in Manhattan as a legal secretary. They looked at her name and said something like, "You're not Italian, are you?" Grandma lied and said, "Oh no, we're French Huguenots originally from Québec." No way were these WASPs going to hire a Catholic from Calabria. She got the job and once the Crash came in 1929, she witnessed her boss jump out the window to his death. She said his body exploded like a pumpkin, blood all over the sidewalk when she looked out the window.
Now get this, her aunt, the one with the light skin and red hair, couldn't get an office job because they assumed she was Irish and didn't want "drunken potato eaters" on the payroll. Thank God those days are over, but you can really empathise with how recent immigrant groups are treated or maltreated. We have Muslim friends and the ladies all wear hijabs. I see the stares they get and on a few occasions have spoken up, but their husbands don’t want to create a scene and tell me to let it go. One time my wife and her girlfriend who was wearing a hijab went into a restaurant to get a table while we parked with the rest of us. They were told it would be a long wait, maybe an hour or more. I went in and they said it would be 10 minutes. We put our name in and the rest of us showed up with most of the women and teenage girls in hijabs. I asked for the manager, told them I’m an attorney and what the hostess did was illegal. The manager said it was all just a “misunderstanding.” We all stormed out and went to another restaurant . As we left, I said to the manager, “You know, it’s 2022, this sh¡t has got to stop.” He said nothing and turned his back.
the arberesh fled the ottomans who invaded them in albania not the ottoman empire
@@antoniobuonanno7902 I know that, I’m well read in the entire history of Magna Græcia and the Balkans. Our family was originally Greek. They fled the Ottomans west to Albania, then made the move over the Adriatic to Calabria in the 15th century.
Those days are not over. Where I am living, the Italians are the racist. They got the American disease.
Very interesting story and sorry for loss. But can you please explain olive color because they come in 3 colors black, brown and green.
@@tanyapeters5062 A lot of Italians from southern Italy, such as Calabria, Naples, Sicily, have darker skin tones that are different than just brown. You have to see it to understand. Most southern Mediterranean peoples have that complexion. Google it for images and you’ll see.
Beautiful, very enjoyable conversation, you both are amazing people❤
You are so lucky to get a full on interview with your dad, and get to pick his brain about your heritage. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
What a beautiful interview. I spent time in Italy as a military woman and I was treated so well by the Italians I wanted to stay. I am a black woman but I was asked by someone if I was a southern Italian girl. I was a little baffled so I asked about race there. I was told that they were offended if someone called them white. They told me the same thing that your dad said about white people talking about the darkness of their skin. The were not treated well for being darker skinned. Interesting. I love Italy though and always wanted to go back and buy a villa there to stay.❤
where you on drugs when you wrote this comment?
,,,,,, puoi comprare una VILLA n TAORMINA,,,,,, e' Un posto Da sogno!!!,,,,,, ciao dalla SICILIA 🍋🍊🍇🌞☕🍝🍷🇮🇹👍🙋♂️
@@antoniolavecchia1464 Hi there. I would love to go back to Italy. I believe you when you say Taormina is a dream place!
Love these stories about your family!
Joe Mangienello is Italian and recently discovered he is part Black.
Well he is italian its low admixture in this day an age but it shouldnt be a shock for a dna test to pick it up
All southern Italians (esp Sicilians) are part black. Africa is close by.
@@mikeyb3556 that has nothing to do with it - his real grandfather was African-American - When Joe’s father submitted to DNA testing, Gates’ team determined that Joe’s biological great-grandparents were William Henry Cutler, who was Black, and Nellie Alton, who was white. They narrowed Joe’s grandfather down to one of three Cutler sons, all of whom were light-skinned African-American men. (Joe’s DNA revealed he’s 7% Sub-Saharan African.) Gates and co. also learned that Joe’s fifth great-grandfather was a man named Plato Turner. Records indicate Turner was born in Africa, brought to America in bondage as a child slave, became a free man, and was one of 5,000 Black men who fought for the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. There is a monument dedicated to him in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
@mikeyb3556 Sure, but the level of Black is very low, we are Sicilian, my father was slightly darker, my mother quite white, only my youngest sister got a slightly darker skin.
It seems like our brown comes from the Greek.
I always loved Italians, they treat me so nice ❤. From NYC to actual Italy 😊. Im a Jamaican by the way 1 love. I enjoy this channel
thank you. funny you say im italian from new york and dated a few jamaican women
Until they call you a moulignon
Hi! My dad served in WWII as an American. This is such a great video; thanks for interviewing your dad. 😊 My dad’s parents came from Sicily in the early 1900’s. I wish my dad hadn’t given up speaking Italian. It would be cool to be able to speak Italian. My dad said he forgot how to speak it. 😣 He was a drummer for years-he started playing as a kid, played in the Army, then professionally for years. (My grandpa Anzalone taught his boys to play different instruments.) My mother’s ancestors were mostly Northwestern European. Take care.
I wish we had learned all the family languages. Id be a genius! ;)
I can top that one. My father was in one of the units that participated in The Battle of the Bulge. Because we are tri-racial, a category that did not exist then, he was placed in Black units that were treated as third rate, with inadequate provisions. But in their patriotism and professionalism, they carried out their mission and were commemorated by President Roosevelt. Unfortunately the records of this were mysteriously "lost" in a fire in Kansas City. One can only imagine that it was an act to bury this part of history because of the "skin color" of these soldiers who were part of this important victory that led to the surrender of Germany.
@@nytn I will research it; a lot of history out here.
@@RayPointerChannel Wow! I must ask, are you Melungeon, or Lumbee? I know there are many more tri-racial isolates in the U.S., but those are the ones that come to my mind first, as I live in North Carolina. I'm fascinated by the history of these racial groups! Ever since I found out that my family MIGHT be Melungeon on my Mom's Mom's side, I've learned SO much!🤗
I speak Italian ~¤ I am part Italian &, Mexican😅
Thank you and your dad for sharing his story! His story is so similar to mine, it's amazing! I grew up in New Jersey with similar experiences and I think we are around the same age. Thank you both again!!
That is awesome! I love having you chime in:)
@@nytn Your channel is so original, I love watching and learning new things.
I love your dad. Keep doing what you’re doing. I love your Content
I don’t know how TH-cam’s algorithm got me to your stories; they’re great. I am enjoying watching your journey through these interviews regarding your family’s history. You offer an enlightening perspective. I can tell that you’re thirsting for more knowledge. Keep striving!
I am first generation Sicilian male born northeast, but grew up in the South Florida in a very rural area in the 70's and 80's. Parents did not speak well English and I usually translated for them so we did stick out. Our story was not so peachy. Always being assumed to be from a different ethic group due to my skin color and accent. I did return to Sicily several times, but I was not well received, Grande Americano. I severed in the Army for my college money, and I found acceptance. I believe if we were not alone and had a bigger family group my experience would be better, but we were an island surrounded by a lack of diversity. Thank you for sharing your family story.
Yeah, my mom was always called Italian here, and she used to say that if she wanted to be called American she'd have to go to Italy.
I love that your father is very down to earth and truthful
Uplifting the veil😎
This is wonderful and honest content, your dad is a great story teller, awesome that you brought him on. I said before "You are kicking ass" on this subject matter...my view has not changed. Great stuff and quite educational, hey..and..Thank you.
OMG where have you been hiding him? How old is your dad? Your dad is a silver fox!
He's 64 and he's been hiding from my channel for a full year.😂
Yeah, Hottie
Her dad is FINE! Somebody just needs to come out and say it! 😅
I figured he was 55 tops
He is a rare individual not seen often
All I know is my paternal grandfather was from Barbados and we have some family there and New York ( I never met them; my father has) this was fascinating, Danielle. Your pops is cool✌🏾.
What I got out of this conversation is…racism is monster. It is constant in its need to feed. And favorite food is dark meat. That is why all history is important and people’s stories are more similar than different. Great talk.
Your dad is so handsome!!! Keep talking to him keep the family history alive❤
I loved watching this. It just felt like some good old father-daughter bonding. Warmed my heart!
From a cute child to a handsome man and very well spoken. Its great that you thought to take a video document of your family history.these things are very important. It is also an interesting and network ready interview. Thank you.
Thanks to you and your dad for sharing his story💜🌹 When your dad started talking about your grandfather it made me think of my dad. After WWII my dad came back home, got a job as a cook at a local cafe and the owner who if I can remember correctly was of French descent sent him to tailoring in France. It’s a long story but I won’t ramble but when I heard that about your grandfather my ears stood up😂🙂
Hi Danielle.
I hope you see my comment even if you don't reply.
Exceptionally, great video and interview. Excellent production values.
I should have but did not expect it to be so interesting.
I didn't know your dad was a lawyer and so intelligent. Handsome lad, as well.
I watched you repeatedly go from being a professional interviewer, to a daddy's girl, to you being in awe of the gentleman speaking (almost forgetting he's your dad).
I appreciate the struggles and trials of your family to become accomplished, successful Americans.
Bravo Danielle, dad and family!!!!!!
This was so nice to read, thank you. You made my morning!
Great interview!
Loved this interview ❤ Your dad is very handsome too.😊
It's amazing how much you learn about immigration in the US in half an hour of conversation with your father.Listening to him talk makes the time pass quickly.
He's a great public speaker, believe it or not I think he was nervous about this video. He thought he had nothing worth sharing!
Another great interview, your dad offers great insight
It is great that you were able to interview your father while he is still here with you
But the irony to this is how Italians discriminated against us(Blacks).
Aaahhh
It’s human nature
its European nature.@@literalnewsheadlines9149
My experience has been pleasant with Italian and my experience with my black race has been pure hell.
@@lashurediscussion4970 Your personal experience does not discredit my point of the historical racism that Italians practiced agaist Black people.
Nice chat with your dad. Just plain old candid. I wish I had this kind of conversation with my dad. Now that he's gone I kinda regret not asking him about his Irish background.
Same
My grandpa is irish and was confused when he was not treated as white but how come they treated him nicer than the black kids but too more a similar levels too Asians and Hispanics
This wuz so interesting to listen to. Also ur dad is so chill and sweet…
Your dad is an amazing, neat human being ! I can see why you are so proud of him!!
More videos like this are what the world needs
thank you :)
This is beautiful 😊, your dad is so cool😊
He did such a good job. He was not sure he had anything to say...I knew he would!
What a great interview.
I love this!! Keep going!
Your dad is HANDSOME!! 🤩
Yeah! Look at those biceps ❤
Respect from Italy to all italians in the world. Listen to stories of our people all over the world is always exciting. As an italian from Milan from neapolitan family i always have this curiosity of the immigration and nowadays i get upset when in italy we have some racism against the immigrants like “man we did the same in the last century!” we probably can be the only country in Europe that can understand them. Btw tanto amore, viva l’Italia e viva gli italiani. Un bacio❤🇮🇹
This interview was very informative, and honest intelligent answers.
Appreciate You very much and love what you are doing!
Thank You!
One of my uncles was a mine sweeper during the Battle of the Bulge. He was still traumatized by it when he was 90.
Some folks, like your uncle, gave so much of themselves. Impossible to repay.
@@nytn When I spoke to my uncle about it he leaned forward in his chair, his eyes fixed on a distant memory, and said in a quivering voice "I never want to go through something like that again". He said 70 percent of the mine sweepers lost their lives in that battle. You are so right, it cannot be repaid.
This is why Italian-American kids learn to fight at an early age. I complained to my grandfather about coming to the United States. He told me that in Italy they did not have any work or anything to eat, and over here we have jobs and we have food.
I love this content! As a New Yorker who is 3rd generation American from European countries, these stories are imperative to be reminded of.
Love this interview
Very interesting interview. He is a great storyteller as well.
he kept telling me he had nothing of value to say. I was like...I highly doubt that
I knew about the Italian/Japanese interment camp at Ft. Missoula, MT. My ex-husband grew up in Missoula and was into history. One of the Italian internee’s settled in Missoula. He was a very respected businessman in Missoula. Living in Missoula I have learned the history of Ft. Missoula. Thank you Danielle for expanding our knowledge of the experiences of Italian Americans, German & Japanese Americans. My German/Polish grandmother was detained at the Canadian Border and asked to provide citizenship papers. She came over as a child and thought she was a citizen. Due to confusion on my great grandfather’s part she and her older sisters were not included in Grandpa’s application. Grandma received her citizenship in 1943.
now I begin to understand why the usa had as enemies the Italians and Japanese it was the 3 communities that posed a problem for America, that is to say their diaspora were seen as dangerous
I know a lady who worked for one in Dubuque
What a handsome, and warm soul your father has, he just seems so genuine and gentle, I know you all were raised with lots of love and understanding. He has the aire of an gentle giant.
Thanks for sharing ❤
It's not that cut and dry. Sicilians can be blonde as well, and northern Italians can be brunette.
Danielle, all I could think of while watching this video (among your other videos) was I hope YT, cameras, SIM cards, computers, etc stay around a long time for YOUR future generations to see these videos. I’m approximately the same age as your dad, mom and I’ve seen how “past” electronic devices are no longer available or exist. Awesome content.
Yes! My like (thumbs up) made it to 3K. Also, a very well and natural conversation about something sensitive. Good job!!!
Yes! Thank you! My dad still cant believe people want to watch his video😀❤
:)! I can confidently confirm that this topic is highly relevant for a lot of people, individuals, families and countrys around the entire globe! It means a lot when its done in a succesful manner as in your case. Generally, such a fine way you handle this topic.@@nytn
This is so interesting. Hearing family history, personal history, and how it ties into American history. Really good video. 😊
Dad's handsome and damn you look like him ! very interesting exchange thank you
In my neck of the woods, the city of grosse pointe had a "point system" back in the day that was designed to all but exclude Italian, Arabs, Greeks, Poles and Jews, and it fully banned black folks from moving into the city, and i was shocked when i learned that the point system was only banned by court order in the early 1960s. It took a long time for alot of immigrant groups to earn acceptance in america, and when i see how italian americans are portrayed in media to this very day, it makes me wonder if they ever were really 100% accepted. Its like you ask america to fully embrace you and they reply "best we can offer is to stop burning crosses on your lawn."
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Informative video and great channel!
lovely interview
I think that every immigrant no matter where they come from suffers some kind of discrimination. The Irish, Italian, Latino. I have observed that it takes about forty years before one is accepted. The assimilation process takes time and one’s children are the ones who will benefit. It takes education and work to overcome the obstacles.
Thanks to you and your dad for sharing these amazing stories. I see a lot of parallels of your dad's background with my papa's German background in KY in the 40s-50s. It's sad that even today immigrants have to face the same bullies in the US they ran from in their mother country 😢 ❤ Btw, as a Central American we definitely had a weekend "thing" at my abuelas house. I thought these were parties as a kid, but my family just saw this as normal. I love that your dad had the same lovely experience.
I love seeing how similar our experiences can be, even from different heritages.
Omg Danielle, I have the same happen to me all the time. Mostly people come up and talk to me in Spanish. But I'm Middle Eastern, Native American, and European. One guy I had been talking to asked me about my heritage. And when I told him, he said, "I thought you were Latina." Then he stopped talking to me.
Also, good on your father for understanding and differentiating between Egyptians and Arabs, too! So many people in the West, particularly Europeans, continuously call everyone in MENA "Arabs." It's highly offensive and would be the equivalent of calling Native Americans "Europeans." Seems you had a great upbringing with a great family. And thank you for sharing your family's story with us, as well as the history you're uncovering along the way! 💜
Great interview you did with your father he a nice man
Glad you enjoyed it!
Loved this interview! Btw I think you resemble your father, in looks, mannerisms and your ability to explain difficult situations.
That’s a huge compliment, thank you
I like your Father a lot. Seems like a decent human being.❤
he's amazing
Loved the story similar to ours. Great episode. 🇮🇹✌🏼🇺🇸
You interviewed a good person, your dad is well spoken intelligent and open minded. Also he shares a story that have happened to many people. I grew up in NYC and was fortunate enough to say ive known good italian people.
Again, Thank you so much for this! My comment was attacked so bad on your last video covering this subject. I was told I made it up and I was lying. It’s shameful how people are treated in this country by their own fellow Americans. BTW my family was from Calabria and Sicily but I’m not sure where in Sicily.
I am Italian, from Italy, the north to be precise. We had a lot of south Italians immigrants and they were not always welcomed. They were physically different from us, they spoke differently from us, their food was different and they got a lot of abuse. It was pure racism but at the time it seemed normal. My grandmother didn't really want me to play with kids from Calabria or Sicily but I did and yes there were lots of differences but it was also fun. I ended up married to a Brit but my kids are bilingual and I forced them taking the Italian language state school exam. Not knowing Italian is not conceivable to me.
"what hairstyle you're using that day" cracked me up😂 .. I loved this conversation and hearing both of your stories and memories!!❤
Love your relationship with your Dad. A blessing i never had. I salute your blessing and bighter future..