I remember the Sundays spent with my Nonna (Grandmother) and other family members making ravioli on her dining room table as a child. An assembly line of siblings holding a fork to close the ravioli on all edges. The aroma of the sauce on the stove wafted through her home. I always found the love and admiration of my Nana in her home. In later years, as we all aged, attendance at the family gatherings dwindled as we all created our traditions for Sundays.
In the late 1800s, a young man named Pasquale Villella from Conflenti, Italy sailed to America. He was in his late teens, and he landed in New York City and traveled from there to Colorado for work. Later in life, I came to know Pasquale as my Nonno (Grandfather). I wonder if I could have done what he did, traveling thousands of miles to a foreign land, unable to speak the language. Would I have the courage, the hope?
Back in the late 1800s, the United States was considered a country of hope, freedom, and opportunity for people across the globe. The economic growth in America, the prospect of success, the potential for a better life were attractive. An estimated 28 million people left their homelands and migrated to this country during this time (1880-1930). Political instability, lack of employment, poverty, starvation, and the spread of diseases convinced people to take the risk and find a better life elsewhere. The New World was the destination. People worldwide flocked to countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Argentina.
This era was also a period of industrialization, and the United States boomed economically. Immigrants moved to the country and started working in the factories and mills of America, often settling for lower salaries compared to the nationals. The great influx of immigrants led to increased crowding in the cities, straining the infrastructure. This led to overcrowding, increased crime, and poor living conditions for the immigrants. Many immigrants also faced hatred, harassment, and discrimination. New arrivals often traded one set of problems in the country they left for another where they arrived!
By contrast, Conflenti is a rustic town in the province of Catanzaro in the Calabria region of southern Italy at the foot of Reventino mountain. Its history can be traced back over a millennium. Its fame came in 1578 when the Virgin Mary appeared and performed miracles many times to local people. Madonna della Quercia, or Our Lady of the Oak, carried a message to build a church on the site of an oak tree. A church was eventually built, and the townspeople observe the historic event on June 7th each year with a procession and festival.
My relatives told me that my Nonno had a strong work ethic passed down to him from his father, which helped build his reputation as a trustworthy worker. As such, he was not discriminated against as much as some of his fellow countrymen.
Sadly, like so many other newly arrived ethnic groups, Italians faced terrible discrimination, harassment, and hatred from individuals, the government, and even different ethnic groups. And that persists today with newly arrived immigrants from other countries. Like many ethnic families, my family pulled closely together with other Italian families for mutual support and formed ethnic enclaves.
My Nonno (Grandfather) spent a few years in the U.S. to earn enough money to provide for himself and his family in Conflenti. That part of his dream came true. But, eventually, the time came where he had to make an important decision. Would he stay in America, or would he go back home to Italy?
02032022A1/4
Join us next week for Part 2 - Of Generations and Heritage - Fede, Famiglia, Amici, Cibo
This week's blog story is part of a month-long story. To view past installments and other stories, please visit our blog, Learn-Engage-Empower Learn-Engage-Empower, at im4u.world and subscribe to get the stories delivered weekly to your inbox.
This story is among many that inspired us to create im4u.world im4u.world. im4u.world is an ambitious project designed to build positive and constructive conversations worldwide, share learning experiences and make real change locally. It is easy to join us. Start by filling out our Global Survey, a short 15 question survey asking you the most critical issues facing humanity. Your voice matters, and we are listening.
Comments