Is Italy One Big Howard Beach?

 Five days ago, a crazed right-wing Italian extremist, opened fire on the streets of Florence, killing two,  wounding three and eventually turning the gun on himself. The Italians were shocked that something of this magnitude, could ever happen in one of the most diverse cities. A place  known for it’s artistic culture and renaissance architecture. Yet, others stuck their head in the sand proclaiming the gunman a lone wolf; someone from the fringes of society ,who doesn’t represent the Italian mainstream.

Unfortunately, while they expressed their shock and disbelief, many of us expat Americans, Brits, immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa and South America sat there shaking our heads. ” Um humph, I knew something like this would happen, ” many of us said.  Personally, the  experience of living in Italy has confirmed my belief in American society regardless of our problems. We are a far cry away from the ethnocentric, monoracial and xenophobic place that is Italy.

Why do I say this? Because I believe in my heart that because continental Italians, have had the privilege of living in the isolated mono-racial enclave of Italy for so many years, they don’t realize their actions, words and behaviors are blatantly racist. They are blind to it. And with their history of being on the wrong side of history during the world war II era, they still have remnants of fascism within their society. Everyday, you can count on a documentary about “Il Duce” appearing on the history channel. If your children go to school in the Italian mainstream, expect them to share stories about how great Mussolini was for Italian society. Expect to walk past swastika graffiti, left untouched as you enter the main tourist area of Pisa. No one complained because no hatred was directed at them.

Moving along in the year 2011, there has been a ten fold increase in Romanians of all shades, Moroccans, Nigerians, Ukrainians, Libyans, Peruvians, Mexicans and Senegalese all arriving for work opportunities. Unfortunately, there is barely any work for the Italians and Italian society does not foster the spirit of integration. Unlike the United States, where you can work regardless of your command of the English language, here you cannot. No one can, including expats. Unless you speak perfect Italian, you probably want to be prepared with money to start a business. Because if you don’t, you may not have a job. The expat community usually finds themselves teaching English or working as Au pairs. Everyone else can expect to, “do de jobs Italians won’t do.” Sound familiar? As a result of limited job prospects, some of the different communities have become known for certain activities both legal and illegal which have yielded ethnic stereotypes.