DISCRIMINATION OF ITALIANS IN AMERICA Anna Pendergast Deidre

IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA In the early 20 th century Italians, specifically southern Italians and

Because of their different physical characteristics, northern Italians were considered “white. ” Southern

1891 NEW ORLEANS LYNCHING One of the largest mass lynchings in America. 19 Italians

John M. Parker, who had help organize the lynchings, was elected governor. He described

KKK The KKK targeted Italians because they were Catholic. In 1933, there was a

The Italian Mafia was one of the biggest reasons why people thought poorly

SOURCES Falco, Ed. “When Italian Immigrants Were 'the Other'. ” CNN, Cable News Network,

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DISCRIMINATION OF ITALIANS IN AMERICA Anna Pendergast Deidre Tyler SOC-2630 -502

IMMIGRATION TO AMERICA In the early 20 th century Italians, specifically southern Italians and Sicilians, started immigrating to American in waves.

Because of their different physical characteristics, northern Italians were considered “white. ” Southern Italians were not considered “white. ” Working the same jobs, the Northerners earned twice the amount of money than the Southerners.

VIOLENCE AGAINST ITALIANS

1891 NEW ORLEANS LYNCHING One of the largest mass lynchings in America. 19 Italians were put in prison because they were thought to have participated in the killing of Police Chief David Hennessy. 9 were tried, resulting in 6 acquittals and 3 mistrials. The next day, an angry mob invaded the prison killing 11 men. None had been convicted and some had not been tried yet. The victims were thought of as “sneaky and cowardly Sicilians, descendants of bandits and assassins. ” The police arrested thousands of Italian immigrants, on the false pretext that they were all criminals.

John M. Parker, who had help organize the lynchings, was elected governor. He described Italians as “just a little worse than a Negro, being if anything filthier in their habits, lawless, and treacherous. ”

KKK The KKK targeted Italians because they were Catholic. In 1933, there was a mass protest against Italians in Vineland, New Jersey. Italians made up 20% of the city’s population.

THE MAFIA

The Italian Mafia was one of the biggest reasons why people thought poorly about Italians. The Mafia brought a very large amount of violence to American streets, especially New York. They were taking in a huge amount of money by breaking the law. People did not distinguish the violent Italian Mafia members from the law abiding Italian immigrants.

SOURCES Falco, Ed. “When Italian Immigrants Were 'the Other'. ” CNN, Cable News Network, 10 July 2012. Demirti, Justin. “Italians in America: From Discrimination to Adoration (or Almost). ” Life In Italy. Stapinski, Helene. “When American Barred Italians. ” The New York Times.