Being Italian American encompasses a rich tapestry of cultural, historical, and familial elements that contribute to a distinct identity. While individual experiences may vary, here are some common aspects that often define what it means to be Italian American: 1. Heritage and Roots Immigration History: Many Italian Americans are descendants of immigrants who came to the United States, often in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking economic opportunities and a better life. Maintaining Ties to Italy: Italian Americans often feel a strong connection to their ancestral homeland, valui ..read more

When we think of Italian-American culture, we often conjure images of sumptuous meals, lively family gatherings, and the comforting aroma of garlic wafting through the air. Yet, beyond the culinary delights that have become synonymous with Italian-American identity, there exists a rich and diverse literary legacy that deserves its moment in the spotlight. In this blog, we'll delve into the contributions of Italian-American authors, whose works have not only enriched American literature but also offered unique perspectives on the immigrant experience, identity, and the complexities of the human ..read more

 I was blessed to have parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents that were storytellers and lived with the day-to-day values and traditions they brought from Italy. In fact, I am a proud to be American but was raised Italian. Knowing where I come from has always been a great source of pride and strength through the years. I've learned that knowing your heritage is important for several reasons: Cultural Identity: Your heritage is a part of your cultural identity. It includes your ancestral traditions, customs, languages, and values. Understanding your heritage can help you conn ..read more

Early Italian immigrants to the United States were often treated poorly and faced discrimination and prejudice. Italians began immigrating to the United States in large numbers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and they faced a number of challenges and obstacles. One of the biggest challenges that Italian immigrants faced was discrimination. Italians were often seen as "unassimilable" and were subject to negative stereotypes and prejudice. They were also discriminated against in the job market and often faced low-paying and dangerous work in industries like mining and construction. I ..read more

Growing up in an Italian-American household music was always something that was celebrated. I can recall many times my Nonno, that’s Italian for grandpa, and his brothers breaking out the accordion and guitar to accompany their singing of these italian songs we all knew. Even if you aren’t a musical person, you sang along. It is a beautiful thing to witness and be a part of. Above I had mentioned two instruments; accordion and guitar. Although the accordion is a great instrument, in the right setting, let's talk about the guitar. For those of you that know me or my family you know that I have ..read more

As I look back on my upbringing, my parents brought over from Italy the typical immigrant characteristics you learn about consistently in books, movies, documentaries, such as hard work, sacrifice, love of family etc. While all of those were and are a consistent and important in our story, I want to share today about what I believe to be the most influential of ALL the concepts we lived by: “La Brutta “and “La Bella” Figura! Translated they simply mean Bad Impression and Great Impression. My parents tended to use the negative with me. I can still hear my mom’s voice and stare as she said: Robe ..read more

“Scirubbetta” calabrese, or Calabrian sorbet We all know weather patterns have changed. I feel lucky as my childhood seemed to be filled with quite a few snowfalls. I remember my parents making a concoction of snow and orange juice which I thought was fun and delicious. After all these years I did some research. It is linked to the cold, but it does not come from the north of Italy, but from the south, from Calabria. The main ingredient is snow... the purest one, but not the one that has just fallen, but the one called ciciarusa in dialect, i.e., snow that has turned into grains of ice due to ..read more

In America, being Italian-American is cool. In fact, being anything but “American” is interesting. The effect of Italian culture on all of America can not be overstated. Whether it is cuisine, fashion, television, movies, lingo, italian-americans are at the forefront. It is near impossible to picture a world where there isn’t a colossal Italian fingerprint.  First, let’s get this out of the way. Whether we like it or not television/film, in particular Sopranos and The Godfather, have shaped the way the world see’s people of Italian descent. A comprehensive study of Italian Ameri ..read more