Race in America: Historical treatment of Italians, 'White passing' family members

KZbinr Danielle Romero shares the dark history behind how Italian people were treated in the past. She also shares her late great-grandmother's story, who lived her life as a Black and Hispanic woman passing for White.
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[@whoamI-in9jq]

It's funning how they get accepted and start threating black folks the same if not worse

[@tula1433]

They got accepted via HARD WORK and assimilating. Care to explain to me why there were MORE fathers in black homes in 1960 then there are now? Why the single motherhood rate or crime rates have skyrocketed since civil rights happened? It’s a culture issue, not a race issue. Italian culture is about hard work and family, that’s why you don’t see gangs of Italian teens looting and rioting and killing their own people in the streets. When your culture glorifies “no snitching” “prison pride” “scamming/dealing/hustling” “shooting” “side chicks” “baby daddies” this is what you get. Italian Americans successfully assimilated and earned their respect!!!

[@yvonneplant9434]

It's ironic.

[@bubblybubbles4023]

Most non-blacks are anti-black anyway, but the minute white people accept them they really start showing out with black people then.

[@ToddJames-vi3mc]

@ecadizfles if what you say is so then those who did it first were justified if those that joined them did the same!

[@TSwizzle777]

​@@yvonneplant9434you're not helping.

[@Yourfavoritedealer]

Shame people don’t know this. In New Orleans it was the worst.

[@Babu-kr3cr]

French and Spanish are so similar to Italians also. They share a region of Europe and either a border and/or a latitude. People can really be arbitrary and petty over nothing just wanting to hold onto their status in a status driven culture. New Orleans gives me a creepy vibe like it is full of voodoo and witchcraft. Italians are good people and maybe that doesn't gibe with them.

[@nytn]

Thanks so much for having me on the show!

[@Phuck_Yew]

As soon as I seen that picture, I knew it was your family. And I've never even met you. LOL.❤❤❤ God bless 🙏

[@chumajamesnxele106]

I never thought it'd be you guys representing us. Dope🔥❤

[@nytn]

@@Phuck_Yew Thats awesome!

[@nytn]

@Estelle Cadiz

[@Gianluca-]

You are a liberal 🤡🤡.and Italians are not the same from Alps to Sicily.

[@joederocco9321]

remember italians were hanged and were slaves in the south. and how they were beaten by cops and non italians up north cause they didnt speak english. and italians are they only true latins since latin was born in rome italy 3000 yrs ago. spanish culture is castillian. we were considered a minority and were discriminatd against bad and it happened to me also

[@Gianluca-]

Treatment of South Italians..North and Central Italians barely went to USA..

[@JulieIelasi-lt7yp]

Yes the Italian's from Sicily are black 99 percent of Sicilian Italian's are black im shocked when i wrnt to italy to visit over 30 years ago now but when i visited Sicily they are very,very dark sine i would csll black ! My Dad's from Calabria they are all 100 percent italian not that dark at all very light white its italy but go to Sicily its by it self an island cut off from italy, Sicilians are a mix bunch of people mostly Arabs, African mixed 100 percent!! They even call themselves Sicilian not italian they just live in "italy "! Period.

[@Babu-kr3cr]

Well how about the Sacco and Vanzetti incident in the 1920's where they were executed for being anarchists? I think they were framed. If you say any kind of slang name to an Italian, like and old Italian they get furious. New Jersey's largest ethnic group is Italians, and they really established themselves there. You don't get the feeling that Italians are looked down on unless you go to the more rural northern and western areas. Then you hear people bad mouthing them and alluding to them not being white. When Jersey Shore came out and they were calling each other Guidos, a lot of the old Italians went nuts. It ended up being the most popular show in MTV history and is still going strong. They owned the term and made it their own. Now it is kind of a cool cachet thing where they do GTL, gym tan laundry, and it is funny. Italians are a great people. I think the local yokels are just intimidated. This country was built on the exploitation of others. Italians not only have a keen mind and many talents, but they have hearts and are accepting of others. They judge you for who you are, not something petty like how white your skin is or isn't. I heard US soldiers loved pizza so much after being stationed in Naples and southern Italy in WW II, that Italians and pizzas got to be very popular. That is a dumb inroad to acceptance, but whatever. Italians used to make pizza at the end of the day to clean debris out of the oven from baking bread is what I heard. That is how you would get charred crumbs on the bottom.

[@annecinturati2794]

About 20 years ago, I meet a German U S solider who was stanioied in Sicily during WWII. He meet a couple who asked if he would exchange some of his caned food knows as K- rations in exchange for 🍕 pizzas. The solider agreed knowing that people on the Island had little food to surviv on. Also he realized the couple would have a small reserve of food supply that didn't spoil like fresh preoduce. Now the solider had no idea what pizza was until he tasted it. From then on he fell in love with pizza, and made sure when he returned to the States that pizza 🍕 would become a staple in his diety. With joy he mentioned that the food exchange was the best deal he ever made.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

They were innocent. So are you implying some Anglo calling you a WOP is OK now?

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

Actually, exactly the opposite is true regarding pizza: pizza was made to take advantage of the excessive initial heat of the oven, which would have burned ordinary bread. My great-grandfather was a baker, so I know this.

[@Babu-kr3cr]

@@lucianomezzetta4332 Most Italians have been here for generations already. They aren't touchy about it. The older ones might care.

[@Babu-kr3cr]

@@giorgiodifrancesco4590 It was some kind of scrap food though that they would sell for cheap. Now one-minute pizzas are $25 in the USA, making them elitist food.

[@pamelahomeyer748]

My great-grandfather's name Italian name was Saverio but people in America called him the Black Sam because he was darker than any other person named Sam on his work site

[@Fake_account_001]

Hi, Saverio is a very uncommon name used in the city where I was born and raised in the deep south of Italy. 100 years ago it was a fishing or farming area, but with 2500 years of history behind it. Greetings.

[@Gianluca-]

Your great grandfathert was a terun and South Italian at most, because Central and North Italian are very different.

[@extremathule982]

@@Gianluca- Si, l'Italia dovrebbe essere divisa e separata da voi italiani.

[@lisafiore7081]

​@@Fake_account_001Really, it is an uncommon name? I now of many Saverios.

[@All5AJz]

I am from Louisiana the deep Cajun area. I Cajuns were treated as bad as the Black's and Italian's. My great grandma was a secret wet nurse for many malnourished infants from poor diets of those 3 groups. She said she was 13 cent payday from slavery in the cotten fields.

[@Lioness1499]

CAajun are ethics identity and has nothing to do with races ot nationality. There basic racial identites which happens to be Cacusiods, Mongoliods and Negriods. I was born in Louisiana as well and there a Cacusiods who adapted the Cajun culture. Nonetheless they are still Cacusiods l. There are also Negriod people who adopted the Cajun culture as well yet they are still Negriod. Just as there are creole who Negriods racially Individuals who do not see some who practice or adopted the Cajun is not considered racist. They people are prejudices. Prejudice means a perceive prospective of someone ethnicity. All people have preferences it is call the power of choice or the power to choose.This is a divine given to all of mankind that was given to us by the creator. It my prayer that people would come to knowledge of divine truth and seek that which is good and pure. In doing so much of the hate, confusion and disinformation can be eradicated from our society.

[@All5AJz]

@@Lioness1499 you saying absolutely shows me you weren't in th racist south. Our culture is very much treated like the others. My Mamaw was beaten when she spoke French instead of English. How dare you tell us how we were treated.

[@All5AJz]

@@Lioness1499 your white your words say it all. Whites tell others how they feel. Whites diminished history into an untrue tail where they are the heros. Coonass wasn't towards the blacks it is a name that they call us to this day. Part of a blacks ass ... you have no clue what anyone suffered under colonists.

[@All5AJz]

@@Lioness1499 adopted lmao you steal everything and say it ain't bad don't you.... your from Whites I am from deep Cajun history not the parts you make up but the parts where blacks where beaten to death and Cajuns were spat on for 13 cents a day.

[@All5AJz]

@@Lioness1499 adopted our culture is cultural appropriation you white Patty. Do you really believe your words. You act like your innocent by saying adopted our culture but that is far from truth. You stealing our ways and calling it adopted like you choice wasn't hurting the real suffering of Cajun people. They worked the plantations and weren't paid much more then 13 for 12 hours of cotten picking. I detest your words because you stealing our ways and act like it admiration when your white and boring so steal our ways or Italian ways or even our Black inslaved peoples cultures because salt is boring even you know it. Adopted lmao you stole.

[@TheMMFamily9]

I loved that they chose to interview you on this video subject matter ❤ 😊 you did a wonderful job ,you always do ❤😊

[@tonymalerba1067]

I grew up in st. Catherine's Ontario Canada . I was harassed ever day at school for no other reason than being Italian. My teachers were no better to me. The fact that I was born in Canada meant nothing. If I could meet all those who were RACIST to me from teachers to kids it would not be pleasant and I guarantee they would come out on the losing end, ALL OF THEM. Especially you James McMillan. My childhood in Ontario was pure hell. It killed any chance of bonding to Canada and killed my self esteem for decades. I'm far prouder of being Italian than Canadian. A sad commentary on Canada.

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

And it is said Italians did not suffer from racism in the Americas!

[@MrHtjet]

This reminds me of stories from Italian Calgarians Alberta's..

[@joederocco9321]

keep your chin up

[@damteman]

Aren't italians white?? Like aren't they european

[@joederocco9321]

@@damteman no. italy is on the mediteranean and were mixed with arab and some african and rome italy is the birthplace of latin culture making italians the only latins

[@SiskoBell]

All injustice is wrong. I'm curious why there is such animosity against Blacks by large swaths of the Italian community, now that they achieved whiteness. One would have hoped that the Italian community maintained the sense of intersectionality they had back in the 19th century. I have to say, I also find it interesting that now that Foundational Black Americans are pushing for our long deserved reparations, we're seeing all kinds of media pieces discussing the history and culture of other groups.

[@tula1433]

They got accepted via HARD WORK and assimilating. Care to explain to me why there were MORE fathers in black homes in 1960 then there are now? Why the single motherhood rate or crime rates have skyrocketed since civil rights happened? It’s a culture issue, not a race issue. Italian culture is about hard work and family, that’s why you don’t see gangs of Italian teens looting and rioting and killing their own people in the streets. When your culture glorifies “no snitching” “prison pride” “scamming/dealing/hustling” “shooting” “side chicks” “baby daddies” this is what you get. Italian Americans successfully assimilated and earned their respect!!!

[@tula1433]

Will Italian Americans or Irish Americans be getting reparations also? What about the most marginalized group of all of history the homosexuals? You know, the same homosexuals the black community treats like garbage? I guess black gay and trans lives don’t matter though. Blacks need to stop protesting the dead violent felon in the subway that was subdued by a white man, and go protest in Chicago where other blacks are killing each other in epidemic numbers.

[@ToddJames-vi3mc]

Exactly! That rapist blood is full of hate!

[@achimjeffersB1]

To assimilate into whiteness means to become anti-Blacks, particularly Foundational Black American hate and what does every group that arrivals to the shores do upon arriving: participate in national sentiment which is Anti-Blackness blame us for America’s racism against us!

[@areswalker5647]

It was a war between poor people at the bottom, Italians had issues with Irish people too, it was because at the time in USA they were all fighting for not being the one group at the very bottom: it's a social phenomenal that can be seen often, emarginalized groups closed on themselves fight for the few resources that are left for them all by the ones on top; and when one of them is able to grasp any bit of power they try to squash competition by becoming even more desperate, and so crueler, than those who imposed the hierarchy

[@jamespresident6577]

Look into the Hispanic term you'll find Hispanic and Latino terms are not the actual foundation for Nationality and Culture.

[@jcortese3300]

We all have so much in common with one another -- humanity can learn to bond over our shared troubles and extend sympathy and compassion to one another over what our ancestors endured, or we can fragment and keep resentments going into the future. Danielle's efforts are moving us in the direction of compassion and understanding.

[@RoundMtGenerations]

You did great! Love the work you've accomplished. More need to hear this story and work to discover their own.

[@nytn]

Thank you so much

[@tarr3653]

She looks like she could be mixed black/white. I understand what she says about genealogy doing great things for this country. Humanity will always strive to create separation between one group and another for the purpose of privilege. If that privilege is threatened, they will deny, cover up or simply lie to protect their status.

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

@@anjelinatravelsThe discrimination of Italians was not a racial problem. Italians had a different culture and a different religion (they were catholics). Italian as black and italian as racial mix are american invention based upon wasp naughtiness. Come to Italy and see with your eyes. Here in Italy we laugh very much about that. Actually, here, people were getting married among neighbors when Italians immigrated to America

[@sgladden39]

She had African ancestry

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

@@koschmx No comment. My great grandfather worked 75 years and died in America. Please stop talking about italians. You don't know nothing of Italy.

[@giorgiodifrancesco4590]

@@koschmx Even suitcases travel.

[@Gianluca-]

That girl is mixed infact and is fixated with Italians because probably she is insecure. Prejudice against Italians have never been skin based.

[@debrawilliams2781]

The truth comes to the forefront with DNA TESTS

[@jollcheist1443]

No one has suffered more than the blacks to this day we are still going through turmoil. Sure others have also suffered but what is their condition today?

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

So what is your point? To diminish the despicable treatment Italians received? So what if the blacks suffered more according to you. ANY one suffering from racism is despicable no matter the color. But I guess your white guilt has limits when it comes to olive colored skin.

[@mindriot91_96]

Lucianomezzetta4332 summed it up well. It's not simply a matter of who suffered more, it's the fact that others have suffered any amount of discrimination. Do a little critical thinking once in a while and stop simply regurgitating what you've read and heard.

[@lisafiore7081]

WTF? How are Blacks still experiencing termoil? Is this the 1950s?

[@callunaraven5144]

It's so Amazing to see one of my utuber to see her journey and and recognition ❤️ she so received. You have encouraged me to look into my own family history. I came across a card for Jane Astains Womens Group during 1985. Thank you ❤

[@nytn]

this made my day!

[@user-tn1xv1vc2d]

I'm a second generation born in the United States. My Grandfather changed his first name to Herman and all of his brothers and sisters also changed their name and last name to survive here in the States and easily passed as white because our family was light skinned Southern Italians.

[@lisafiore7081]

Why? That is horrible! You should change your name back to the original!

[@lisafiore7081]

That is so sad! Irish ppl did that too. I really think that it is imperative that u change your last name back to the original Italian name!

[@susandevinenapoli7649]

Yes, this research has relaxed you a lot. Love your channel. Did they find you or did you reach out? Either way it's gutsy.

[@nytn]

they reached out! :)

[@crissyd6279]

This man is very specific when speaking about Italian, French, Jewish American, to refering to Black American history as "people of color." The disrespect continues even from black people. Nobody wants to be "black" except to leave the door slightly open for reparations. I do not encourage any ADOS person to refer to themselves or the ethnic group as POC. The term is only used when other ethnic groups want to use ADOS history and pretend like they were here and an implied were treated like ADOS in this country. Do away with the term. The host makes no sense discussing very specific history of ethinic and racial groups in this country and then using terms like "POC."

[@kevinc3342]

Yep - it's just native-born Black Americans and that's it!! For all other non-whites, they're "people of color!!"

[@deborahroberts2777]

You would think they would remember this and be different, now the italians are treating africans in italy so badly its unimaginable to hear the stories.

[@areswalker5647]

Sister, Italians have treated Italians terribly before any other immigrants could receive similar treatment (strong racism of northern Italians towards southern Italians)

[@lucianomezzetta4332]

WHAT? Give me some examples or is it too unimaginable!?

[@ruthcandice4336]

@@lucianomezzetta4332Googles free look it up.

[@user-hq8wm8giyujcg]

thanks to indo euro from steppes who became Mycenaean, minoans and other Mediterranean civilizations who inspired them and greek dark age to give Caucasians civilization and renaissance just 500 years ago...

[@jimakisspd]

Sigh, there is no such race as ''indoeuropeans from steppes''. Mycenaeans and Minoans were aboriginals like most Greeks.

[@shiprahyahisrael6200]

Key word is immigrant. Good to not making any comparison.

[@bernardtaylor8975]

I'm very glad that you are now putting forth this missing piece of history. When I was a student studying in Rome, I had a professor named Carla Bianco who talked about immigration patterns amongst Italian immigrants. She taught a lot about the experiences of Italians especially Southern Italians and specifically Sicilians and their treatments and abuses in the United States. Now I'm thinking about in the mid-1970s while I was studying in Rome. I've mention many times the story that you are now presenting on your podcast. I'm so glad that the younger generation of people have taken up that mantle. Therefore, I would like to thank you on behalf of my former Professor Carla Bianca send me for bringing us to the consciousness of so many people. I continue to follow your podcast with great interest and enthusiasm. Much respect!

[@ToddJames-vi3mc]

People won't deny themselves for Christ but will deny themselves to be liked or for a material object!

[@bluesforthecool]

You're very articulate Danielle. I love listening to you talk. You talk as if you pursued higher education. Have you been to college or university ?

[@jamespresident6577]

Great Video Fox 26 Houston

[@jamespresident6577]

I Love your journey keep building ❤.

[@nytn]

always appreciate ya!

[@adpowell1414]

The mixed white Creoles like Lola Perot should be respected and their European heritage celebrated. They should not be condemned as an exotic variety of "black." They were white. You can't "pass" for what you truly are.

[@bnboerne]

Can't believe I missed this!

[@SweetE1403]

Awesome interview Danielle

[@josmotherman591]

Louisiana, especially New Orleans, is one of the most culturally diverse places in America, I think. Every race and nationality has been mixing there for a long time. That's what makes it so unique.

[@lashurediscussion4970]

Every other race has been mistreated in America and many races were giving some form of compensation and they were able to thrive in America. African Americans have not received that same compensation and people are still fighting to not allow it to happen.

[@johnnyearp52]

She said the exact same thing.

[@Lioness1499]

Italian is not a race it is a national identity. The race of Italian is the same as Germans it is Cacusiods. Some please education yourselves. Race is different from nationality and ethnicity.

[@BrownSugarBaby1992]

To be correct! Everything started black! I don’t care what you claim or your beliefs! It started black! That’s FACTS!

[@hayabusa1329]

Italians look like half white half pakistani

[@pamelahomeyer748]

I am half Italian and in the summer I would get very dark and I would find out quickly what it was like to be a black person and try to get waited on in a store

[@Gianluca-]

You are half South Italian, not Italian. Italy is not only Sicily and South Italy, deal with it.

[@warrengeti5493]

Punk J.E. Hoover family was almost lynch in Louisiana.

[@markrichardson1657]

dope story, at least you're willing to share truth, kudos.

[@mattsheezy5469]

Danielle is beautiful 🥰

[@karlpopper3246]

Italy is not a race, but a country, and a culture. You are not talking about "Italians" but of Americans of Italian Ancestry. Italians are not discriminated against - as far as we know - anywhere in the world. So the problem of these people is being American first of all. Now we can speak about the problem. Why are these Americans, like many other Americans of 50 other ancestries, discriminated against? Because America is a country built on discrimination and exploitation. Still today.

[@cmadden64]

😇🤌👣🤌👣🤌😇

[@patrickdavenport6254]

I'm glad she told him that there was no comparison to the way blacks were treated in the south, because he was about to push that Fox narrative that Italians had it just as bad. Shoutout to her!

[@Jaco85-mb2vs]

Italians HAD IT BAD. The fact blacks allegedly had it worse doesn't mean you should ignore what Italians went through

[@JL-fx2cd]

Great story.

[@lisafiore7081]

Danielle, how were u able to trace your great grammies DNA after she died?

[@sammyjacksonofhollywood1245]

she's black Italian

[@rolandeanglade6321]

Passe pou Blanc.

[@saundraking7168]

Got that MOORISH blood!

[@jamespresident6577]

Sounds like Beyonce's maternal family genealogy.

[@lisafiore7081]

Italians are NOT White, but Mediterranean!

[@k.anderson5039]

The irony- you have ever known Italian Americans who were raised in NYC/NJ (especially those over 50 then you know how racial they can be. If you ever watched the Sopranos the do a good job of showing the personalities of many Italians Americans raised in that area (non mob stuff). I have a lot of extended family there & saw it with my own eyes over decades while on vacation & living with them. Part of their dislike goes back to the 1960s riots Newark & their opinion that black people ruined Newark & surrounding towns. Over the years they have met & come to know some of my black & Puerto Rican friends & had been welcoming & like them. I remember about 15 years ago my brother couldn’t help himself. They has thrown a bday party for me the night before & most of my who were invited were black or Latino. Some of them they had met before & others this was the first time. We had a good night & they enjoyed talking to my friends. The next morning one of them made a racist comment to which my brother asked if you are saying this stuff why do like all the black people who were here just last night? The response- because they are assimilated & different then most black people😂🤢 It’s funny as it never occurred to them that maybe most black people are just regular people & their perception are characters they made up over the years based on limited interaction

[@blossom1643]

Oh Lord HERE we go again.🙄

[@culturalobserver8721]

Ethnically, Danielle looks a lot like Meghan Markle!

[@EmilyJohnson558]

😢

[@kathiaserrano1999]

Italian Mafia Evil 😈

[@deewilson3239]

Oh my God that is such a shock...passed smh

[@ladygeka5235]

I think in that era the USA needed to empower the White race and that’s why Italians in the USA are called white, meanwhile, they’re not. Of course, this is not a problem. They did the same with the Spanish people. Spanish are a mixed group of ethnic people. But we identify with each other as black, white, Asian, indigenous, and Jewish. Personally, my family is a mix of all the above groups and many more, we are a very large generation. In my birth certificate and all my siblings my parents are identified as white and we are all white too. And yes we are white Spanish. Today we all marry many ethnic groups. And today we are a loving caring UN of our own.

[@frankbattle3809]

This dude hosting is Hella irritating he's actually promoting a narrative that Blacks and Italians were on equal "slaying fields"! No that wasn't a typo I said "slaying fields".🎙️

[@dcsnare315x]

Learn your history. Just imagine being oppressed and not getting credit for it. Fucking sucks