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Posted by: Kathy on 3/15/1998@04:41hrs:
In Reply to: Discrimination against Italian Americans posted by: Joe on 3/15/1998@00:40hrs:
Let’s see! I was fortunate in my life to have traveled and lived not only in many places within the U.S., but also in Europe. My decent is Italian-American. My advantage was being brought up both on Staten Island and in Chicago.
I didn’t know what discrimination was until I embarked on a trip to Georgia in 1961. I remember so clearly seeing drinking fountains that were distinctly labeled “colored only." I was also shocked at the sight of blacks sitting in the backs of public buses. One day, I attempted to ride in an unoccupied taxi in Atlanta and was told by the black driver that I could not ride in that particular taxi. Foolishly I ask, well why not? The cab driver looked at me in amazement and replied, “This cab is only for ‘colored people’ you can not ride in this particular cab!"
Now I read about discrimination in books and newspapers in the 50/60’s. However, until a person’s eyes are opened to this real-brutal-world, especially after being brought up on a non-discriminative Island, it is a definite shock on one’s brain, although, it is also a tremendous life-learning experience.
I can only speak for the days of yore, but perhaps parts of this world could have easily learned how to love one another if they too had been nurtured in Staten Island. Italian discrimination is not a part of my life. Humans should learn to love, accept, respect and teach the world new ways of life instead of dwelling on the negative.