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In this episode we talk to scholars and researchers Laura Ruberto and Joseph Sciorra about the history of Italian migrations to the United States and their work surrounding this topic. We also discuss the two books they edited, New Italian Migrations to the United States: Vol. 1: Politics and History since 1945 and New Italian Migrations to the United States: Vol. 2: Art and Culture since 1945
Tweetables
- “Italian immigrants went to the new world with the idea of making money and then returning again.” – Joseph Sciorra
- “Many Italian Americans associate the Italian American experience with something that is now routed back to an immigrant situation that is six or seven generations ago.” – Laura Ruberto
- “It’s a family connection, but it’s also a historical fact that there were more people that immigrated at a time when the United States was changing in terms of its communication, industry and the politics.” – Joseph Sciorra
- “My real concern has been in the way in which certain forms of cultural expressivity and Italian American life are historically and contemporary undervalued.” – Joseph Sciorra
- “When we think about the history of Italy as a country, we know that well over 28 million Italians have left the country since its existence.” – Laura Ruberto
- “From the 1920’s it became much harder to leave Italy and fewer Italians immigrated to the United States. The number only started to go up again after World War II”- Laura Ruberto
About our Guests
Laura Ruberto
Laura Ruberto is professor of Humanities in the Humanities Program at Berkeley City College in the Department of Arts and Cultural Studies. She teaches film studies courses and interdisciplinary liberal arts courses that focus on cultural studies, material culture, aesthetics, and media. Her research includes work on material culture, Italian American culture, Italian film, and cultural theories of transnational migration.
Joseph Sciorra
Joseph Sciorra is the director of Academic and Cultural Programs at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, a Queens College (CUNY) research institute. Receiving his Ph.D. in Folklore and Folklife from the University of Pennsylvania, Sciorra is the recipient of the Italian American Studies Association 2016 book award and author of several works in the Italian American experience.
Episode Sponsor
Law Office of Michael A. DeSapio
Have you dreamed of reconnecting with your ancestral homeland by becoming an Italian citizen? Since a change in Italian law has allowed dual citizenship between Italy and the United States, thousands of Italian Americans have done just that. Italian citizenship by descent is granted to those individuals who can prove Italian ancestry (even if through several generations). If you or a family member is interested in pursuing their Italian citizenship, contact the law office of Michael De Sapio for a free consultation to see if you qualify. They are a full service law firm based in New Jersey that has served clients throughout the United States in assisting with dual citizenship applications. Mike will work with you, and his experienced network of researchers, genealogists and translators both in Italy and the US to guide you through the process. Don’t miss the opportunity to reclaim your right to be an Italian citizen. Contact them at 908-996-6766 or www.desapioesq.com for more information.
Resources Mentioned
The New Neighborhood
The Italian American Podcast iTunes
IAP 50: A visit to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial to see history made
Post-World War II Italian Immigrants in Cinema
WOV-AM’s La Grande Famiglia
Calandra Italian American Institute
John D. Calandra Italian American Institute Facebook
Calandra Institute Twitter
Q&A with Laura E. Ruberto and Joseph Sciorra, editors of “New Italian Migrations to the United States”
Books Mentioned
Grazie Mille,
Anthony Fasano and Dolores Alfieri Taranto
Co-Hosts, The Italian American Podcast
