Blog 2: Roman and Italian Identity

          When I think about what makes a person Roman or Italian, the image of a large boisterous dinner table filled with smiling and joyous family and friends circled around mounds of pasta and endless wine bottles comes into my mind. A sense of warmth and friendliness envelops my thoughts of these types of people. In addition, in my mind, Rome’s rich history and magnificent ancient ruins scattered throughout the city play a role when trying to pin point Roman and Italian identity. Unfortunately, after arriving in Rome and learning more about the Italian identity, it becomes clear that defining what makes up an Italian is neither as glamorous nor simple as I had imagined. There are social, cultural and physical boundaries that limit who can be considered an Italian. These include the social aspect of language, the cultural presence of the church and Roman history as well as the physical boundaries of borders and regions.

            The social aspect of language and how one communicates with one another is a very prominent determinant of what allows someone to be classified as an Italian or Roman. Through speaking with Brittnay’s cousin Guido this weekend in Siena, he informed me about the importance of language in one’s identity. Guido is from Calabria, a region in the South, and studying in Siena of the north. He informed me of the importance of accents when trying to distinguish where someone is from. One’s region, whether it be northern or southern Italy, is a major determinant when looking at the one’s identity in Italy. Through these accents in the Italian language, one’s regional identity becomes evident.

In addition to looking at the differences in identity within the Italian language, it is also important to look within other cultures and languages. In particular, the Roma were examined. According to Isabella Clough Marinaro, there were Italian laws specifically set up to distinguish who could be considered Italian and who could not. This was defined in the 1999 linguistic minorities law that excluded Roma from being incorporated in the Italian identity. Even though the Roma were a part of the Italian history for hundreds of years, this law prohibited them from being incorporated as a definition of being Italian. In the Italian culture, it is the social aspect of language that defines one’s identity.

            When looking at what makes up Roman as well as Italian identity culturally, the influence of the Vatican in addition to the Roman history plays a role. Everywhere you travel in Italy the presence of the Catholic Church can be seen. From the towering churches throughout Italy to the prominent location of the Vatican in Rome, the catholic religion is a defining factor in what makes up an Italian.

In addition, the prominent Roman ruins and history found throughout Rome as well as the rest of Italy help outline the Italian and Roman identity. Throughout our excursion with Margaret Brucia in the Roman forum, it became obvious of the Roman’s pride through the large amounts of victory arches. Also, this pride is visible through their preservation efforts of the ruins over the years. It is this cultural pride in the Roman ruins that distinguishes who is an Italian.

The physical boundary of borders is a major factor in determining the identity of an Italian. Overall, the Italian government makes it very difficult for immigrants or non-Italians to become citizens. The make-up of this government makes it almost impossible for change to occur. If you are born outside the Italian border, even if you spend the majority of your life in Italy, the government makes it extremely difficult to become a citizen. Through this strife for outsiders, it becomes apparent that being born in Italy or having Italian blood is extremely important when looking at defining the Italian identity.

            Overall, it becomes evident that there are certain social, cultural as well as political boundaries that make it difficult when defining an Italian. These include the social boundaries of language, the cultural aspect of the Catholic Church and Roman history as well as the physical boundaries of borders and regions. Although through looking at these boundaries, it becomes easier to understand the Italian culture and what makes up an Italian, these are not concrete definitions. Depending on whom you talk to or where you are within Italy, what makes up an Italian differs greatly. In addition, the great influx of immigrants to Italy is greatly questioning this identity. Depending on where the future takes us and whom you talk to, this definition of what makes up a Roman or an Italian will likely change. 

Impressions of Rome/ Seattle Youth

In my first few days in Rome, I have noted many interesting interactions with the youth in Rome. These have occurred mostly through wandering the streets and interacting in my everyday activities. My most prominent memory of the youth here in Rome occurred last night while we were walking through the Campo after going out to dinner with a few of the classmates. Here, on a Saturday night, hundreds of teenagers gathered in the square in groups talking and hanging out. The atmosphere was vibrant, happy and full of life. Music played while groups of friends gathered on the statue as well as wooden blocks set up throughout the campo. People of drinking age flooded out of the bars and into the square and intermixed with the groups of youth. This memory stood out because this setting differs greatly from that of my experiences of the youth in Seattle as well as in other parts of the United States. In the states, even in the dead of winter, the youth usually does not gather in such a manner. Youth back at home would often gather at their parent’s house or in smaller groups in front of cafes or pizza places if the weather were nice. These events would be much less social and would spread across the entire town instead of centralized in one plaza.

Another time I noted Rome’s youth was while eating dinner in a small authentic restaurant. After wondering the streets near the Piazza Navona, we came across a small quaint restaurant filled with Italian families. At the table across from us, there were two small children who were around the age of 8. Throughout dinner these children kept to themselves, quietly ate their food and were often observing their American neighbors. They seemed to be independent of their parents and were not boisterous, as I would think children would be at a restaurant. Although this is only one case, these are the impressions of the Roman youth at dinners so far. In the states, I often find children constantly demanding the attention of their parents, being loud and making a scene at the restaurant. This is a major difference from the behaviors of the youth in Rome. Since this was only one instance, I will continue to observe the youth in the restaurant setting and note any differences. As we spend more and more time out in Rome, we will be able to get a better understanding of the normal behaviors and conducts of the youth in Rome.