To be black and Italian at the same time is a new reality the Italian society is still struggling to accept. Adoption and increase in the number of mixed marriages between Italians and Africans are gradually leading to an increase in the number of Black Italian children, the so-called Afro-Italians.
But the Italian society seems unprepared to cater for the social and educational needs of these children.
In an exclusive interview with Africa News, Sabrina Jacobucci, aka Flora NW, President of the Association of Afro-Italian Children, reveals the reasons that led to the foundation of the Association, the problems biracial children face in the country, and suggests what should be done to make the education system more responsive to the needs of mixed heritage children.
A snippet from the interview
Afro-Italians is quite a new concept in this country. How do people react to it?
I think the very concept is disturbing to some people. Even the word Afro-Italian. I remember when I started posting on a (all-white) parents’ forum using the word Afro-Italian as a nick name, a lot of people reacted badly to my comments judging the nickname “aggressive”.
I think people in Italy are afraid of someone defining him/herself Afro and Italian at the same time because in the collective consciousness you can be Italian only if you are white. This is demonstrated also by the treatment given to the famous black Italian footballer Mario Balotelli – what racist hooligans sing is that there is no such a thing as a black Italian. Celebrating our children’s dual identities, black and Italian at the same time, has a symbolic aspect which is disruptive to some people.
From your experience, in Italy, are mixed heritage children facing different problems from those of other children?
Mixed race children often face the same issues black mono-heritage children face. No matter their skin tone, they are seen as black and therefore it is healthier and more empowering for them to identify as such, without denying their dual heritage at the same time. A racist is not going to ask them whether they are mixed-race. And yes, black and mixed race children definitely face different problems from those of white children.
What are the main problems?
Problems such as name-calling: on the first day of primary school, one of our mixed-race girls went home to her mum and asked: What does “negra” mean? A child in class told me today “Don’t sit next to me, negra!”; refusal by classmates to hold the black child’s hand at playtime in nursery (an experience that another of our black girls, aged four or five, had). In both these episodes unfortunately what emerged was the lack of action by the teacher. Teachers all too often do not have any training in multicultural education, and therefore when faced with episodes of racism or pre-racism by children, they do not know how to react and tend to minimise, even telling the victim to look the other way, or calling the victims oversensitive if they report a racist incident and expect justice. This is very serious because with racism, any action is better than no action at all. The victim should be comforted and the perpetrator reprimanded, always.
Read the full story at http://www.africa-news.eu
Website of Association of Afro-Italian Children
http://afroitaliani.splinder.com
See also on Afro-Europe:
The challenges of biracial children in Russia
Bi-racial children in the Ukraine - "Family Portrait in Black and White"
Side bar
A news item reported that a “Racist” couple was barred from adopting children in Italy.
An Italian couple’s adoption bid was denied after they said in their application that they did not want “dark-skinned” children.
An appeal court in Sicily ruled that the couple were unfit to adopt children of any description, local media reported.
A child protection agency took the couple to court after they submitted an application in Catania, in eastern Sicily, saying they were “prepared to take in up to two children… regardless of sex or religion, but… not with dark skin.”
The court ordered a magistrate who reviews adoption requests to ignore such specifications, then took things a step further, ruling that any such “racist” couple should not be allowed to adopt at all.
Wow! It amazes me that there would be such and issue with someone calling themselves Afro- Italian. Basically saying they are Black should be ok. But i use to think that kids don't see color but they do. And they learn it at home obviously! If i were a teacher i would have corrected that child right away. The problem is when you do nothing to help the child in pain. Basically you're just like the kids who were degrading the victim.Black will always be looked at as a negative if we don't do something to change that. But the sad part is that so many of us Black people don't love themselves enough to do anything. We want to fit in so badly that we will accept anything. I really loved reading this and i take my hate off to Sabrina Jacobucci who is trying to make a difference. No matter how difficult it is
ReplyDeleteHello. After reading this article I would like to share my journey and experiences with this "Multicutural racism".
ReplyDelete-
I am 17 years of age. Offspring to a women of African-American descent and a father of Sicilian descent. Born in America and rasied Sicily,Italy by my father and his wife who is of purto rican descent. My mother was and still is a traveling nurse, which is how I came about in the first place. I struggle sometimes when people ask me what I consider myself as, because through my thick accent and heavily curled hair my brown toned skin confuses them. Although I was born in america and I am of dual citizenship between the U.S. and Italia...I consider my nationality to be European and my ethnicity to be Afro-Italian.
im 100 pct italian american and i embrace any afro italian or black person in italy or here ,our cultures are very close
DeleteHi Marcellino, thanks for your comment! We debate a lot about these issues on this blog, so it's interesting to hear your opinion.
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDeleteThe following link contains information on the racist, reeking,
odious, ODR ('One-Drop Rule') -- which, thank goodness,
has finally been legally "cleared from the air" of the USA:
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Generation-Mixed/message/4162
.
Related Links:
.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/%C2%ADallpeople-gifts/the-facts-on-m%C2%ADixed-race/321878451159708
.
http://www.facebook.com/allpeople.gifts
.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/generation-mixed
.
Black right along with any other race is a beautiful thing. Never deny your african american side. Thats what make you unique. Love yourself for who you are and you can always be around the people you look up to whether black,white, italian, or whatever love yourself to the fulliest.
ReplyDeleteI am an a American Blackman and i find it absolutly crazy that no matter where we are born and what nationality's we may be mixed with we are still not accepted with respect and dignity as human being. and all these so called god fearing people are just phony. hiding behind religion.
ReplyDeleteI live in Italy, I am white North American and my husband is mixed race Cuban. We have two kids. We live in the North of Italy, considered more "progressive" than the relatively "backward" (as it is known) south. I have lived here for nearly 20 years and the first 15 I was in love with the place and the people. Sincve the arrival of my husband ans seeing how he is treated on a daily basis has changed my opinion 100%. My husband has been told to go back home, has been refused entry on a train before showing his ticket (not done) because "you people never buy tickets", he is followed by security guards at the supermarket and so on. People talk to him as though he is a criminal or an idiot and when i am with him, talk to me the same way. Italy on the whole is racist. Not only against black people but also against anyone, even their own - there are derogatory names for southern Italians even. I saw a black doctor the other day and almost fell over in shock - then wondered what his life must be like here... As soon as we can, we will leave. I refuse to bring up my kids here past a certain age. Sad but true. Even me and my kids were called "disgusting" by another kid in the park because we were speaking English (my kids are pale skinned and no one can tell their origin from just looking at them... at least not so far...). So help me if ANYONE treated my children badly because of their origin, I will raise hell.
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens if you are a black man or a woman. It's so embarrassing. I have been insulted discriminated in many ways in school and the at work too. I have been told negros smell. I have been called a prostitute all because of a my skin colour. I have been refused jobs I was qualified for too. I hope to leave this country before I get over frustrated cos right now I can't get a job, it's been 4 years now I am battling to get a job. Nobody seems to help.
DeleteShall I continue? I have a friend here from NYC who is black and he has been treated like an idiot for years. He has been asked if there are traffic lights in his country. I met a black French woman here who was shocked. She told me that in France she worked at a bank but she will NEVER get that kind of job here (true). She said when she went to the pool with her son, people treated him as though he were a doll. I was told by a cab driver that black people are nice but he would be furious if his daughter ever came home with a black boyfriend. When I told him my husband was black he nearly drive off the road which was somewhat satisfying if not a bit scary. People use the polite form (Lei) with me when I am alone but the informal (tu) with me when I am with my husband. My husband is routinely stopped by the police at the station for ID checks, as is my above mentioned American friend when he is going to work wearing a suit and tie. He has been told the cops are instructed to check black males only and routinely. Once a cop stopped my husband and when I identified myself, they let him go. Need I go on? My husband regularly takes one of the kids with him to run errands because Italians love kids and therefore treat him better when he is with a small child. We really cannot take it anymore...
ReplyDeleteEPB, thanks for sharing your story. It’s important that these stories are told.
ReplyDeleteEpb,
ReplyDeleteRace is being scapegoated for economic or other problems. Blacks were just as unjust to Indians on Guyana. And they are bad to whites in SA. Hatred is part of all people, unfortunately, not just Italians. People will find excuses to hate someone for even the minutest difference. In India, people of lower castes who are identical in appearance to uppercasts are hated. Don't become negative, otherwise you'll be a hater.
I think wanting to live where you're treated just like everyone else can be distinguished from spending your time hating on another group in particular or singling someone out and making uncalled-for, unnecessary negative comments about them.
DeleteThe latter is an offensive scenario and the former is a defensive scenario. No one wants to wake up every morning knowing that's what's in store for them.
"Blacks were just as unjust to Indians on Guyana." I'm scratching my eyes thinking I've forgotten how to read. I see why you identified as Anon. Indians in Guyana have a long history of racism and discrimination against blacks and mixed-race people, even against their own who choose to marry/date black or mixed-race people. Please take the time to really know the history of the country before spreading lies.
ReplyDeleteWhy are blacks always complaining about other races?I am black but sometimes I get tired of black people.Italians never invited you in their country and if you aren't happy there just fuck off.Is that hard to do?
ReplyDeleteConversely, why do racist Whites complain about Blacks even dedicating websites to their hatred of us? Whites were never invited to SA, yet some of them in SA complain about the way their being treated. I guess those Whites should just f off too?
DeleteHey Anonimous you are obviously not black, you are just another anti-blacks Italian racists.
ReplyDeleteIt's just like the USA. Racism against mixed race people which is far worse than racism against Blacks. Hey, at least Blacks aren't confusing. Mixed race people, they're very confusing and difficult to tell. Even Italian and American parents want their children to marry monoracials, preferably their own race, so that way their grandchildren won't look confusing to them.
ReplyDeleteWould definitely say the majority of italians are racist even though some have very dark skin and almost look arab
ReplyDeleteWhite women of italy heritage who have black partners will face racism also.. lots of black men who date non black women seem to think that they have entitlement or acceptance in the white race just because you have a white partner..sadly if you don't like these racist behaviours then go elsewhere or fight it out..
These issues are fears and insecurities are concealed in most natives of the country and are only revealed when faced with the fear.
My family is from Southern Italy and the Northerners have always considered us "darkies". Most Northerners are light skinned and that somehow makes them more elite. That is so disgusting. If that is what we are thought of in the south, can you imagine what being an African Italian is like? People always think this is more of a problem in the America, but racism is everywhere.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,I have never agreed to the issue of racism at peak until when I started have problems in school and at work. I just feel hopeless in this issue of racism in Italy, I was 20 years old when I came to this country, my mom resides here with her hubby and my kid sister was born here.
ReplyDeleteAnytime I go for interviews I am always laughed at some will say I will call you but they won't. I went to beg someone if I could work for free to show him I have got what it takes to apply for the position theyou said no. But they accepted people without experience white people obviously. Ifor I have my way I will leave here because they are not ready will never be ready for change. A dark skin man is seen as a criminal while a dark skin woman seen as a prostitute. I know there is racism everywhere but it rates in Italy is really frustrating. Many kids many kids born here leave their country of birth to England, France ecc because their parents who know what it means to discriminated will try to protect their kids from such psychological trauma.
Hi, I am Italian, woman and I am pregnant of a little girl, the dad of my daughter and my fiancé is french, french Caribbean, so dark skin ;), in Italy there are different colour of skins as i read in the post up to mine, i am actually define "olivastra" like the olives.. i am just proud of myself being living in Italy, London, South of Spain and travelled a lot already in my life in my tender age and discovered a lot of culture countries and style of living. Black culture amazed me. Italian culture too. we have so many good things to share but we stock ourselves on the first impression, the clothes that we might wear, the language of the body that we use.. i am so glad to decide to be part of different club of people, the ones that they feel, the look inside the eyes for have an opinion of someone. this is why i choose my partner. we looked inside both eyes. i don't think i will never make better choice. and i am just waiting to see how my daughter will look like. Hope there are lots of people like me. with just one concept
ReplyDeleteWE ARE ALL THE SAME, COMING FROM THE WORLD.
Valentina
YOU I feel, are definitely on the right track.. The human race is made of many, many shades, colors, tones, sounds, etc. We need to move far beyond the surface and look within. There are many things about others that people find beautiful but are sometimes horrified to act upon, because of what others might think of them. This is incredibly weak, and those who fault others for not being the ‘right’ color or ‘otherwise’ are truly blind and deaf to life. We should be progressing forward in humanity, not backwards.
DeleteVery well put. This is the way to move forward, not backwards in fear of the unknown.
DeleteThis is really sad to hear. My dream was to move to Italy in the amalfi coast. It was always my dream every since I watched the movie" only you". Well being black I guess I won't ever get to accomplish this Huge Goal of mine.ever.this society is sickening, just because of a shade of skin is different every one hates them. Speak of the devil himself. Wow! Thanks God for every thing you do.😯😟
ReplyDeletei am italian from new york and been to italy with my black girlfriend ,no problems at all they loved her kissing and cheek pinching, don t believe the bad talk ,not true ,very rare if it does happen
Deleteim italian from new york,i went to italy with my black girlfriend and they loved her, kissing her and all
Deleteits not true of italy
DeleteWhat a bulk of crap! Italy is one of the least racist countries in Europe! I have black/mixed italian born friends that never experienced racism, never! They are Italians like the rest. Then if you did not notice, we Italians, at least a big part, are not really white, we are olive skinned, like myself that have almost brown skin, curly hair and strong features. Now this my very "exotic" look gave me problem when I was living in Germany, Holland and England, I was stopped by the cops while I was taking strolls almost once a month and I experienced a lot of raciusm against my person, so instaed of attacking Italians (who are , by nature already a mixed people and not really racist) try and go to live in CEntral and noryhern Europe where you will experience a lot of real racism from the "pure" blonde milky white central and northern euros.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand. People are speaking from experience also. I'm married to an Italian-American and his friends and family are ignorant. They are not hateful racists but they are ignorant. I'm actually sad to be reading this. I've often told hubby that perhaps Italy would be a good place to move since I am very sick of the racism in this country and we now have a son and daughter. There must be some truth to these experiences no?
Deletei agree bro
Deletetrue bro
DeleteI can personally state that, although I spoke a fair amount of Italian, come from an Italian-American family (my great-grandfather is from east of Rome), I was spit at, called the n-word on more than occasion, and told to go back home. I was studying in Milan at the time and have never returned to Italy. So sorry Realista, while you attempt to speak for an entire country and generalize the experiences of all brown and black persons, I have to disagree with you. Not only are you not a person of color, meaning that you are experiencing all of this as a bystander, you are attempting to silence those who aren't portraying the Italy you know. Have I met Italians that didn't seem racist to me? Yes. Have I met Italians that were blatantly racist? Also yes. And I definitely understand the racism in Germany, where I have also lived, and Belgium where i've conducted research. You may find this article an attack because you're unwilling to confront the possibility that culture is not monolithic and that those sentiments live in Italy as well as through Europe, in America, in Canada, in Asia, etc. etc. Racism and colorism can be found everywhere.
DeleteQuestion should be why are black men obsessed with european women (even in italy)?
ReplyDeleteSo this is why my mother chose to raise me in America? I planned on taking a heritage trip when I got older, but now I'm not so sure.
ReplyDeleteas an italian american i think its terrible to mistreat people like this,but i guarantee its not all italians ,also alot of italians have african blood in them from way back to ancient rome days with the romans mixing with the slaves and later on italy invading ethiopia. many italians dont know there true history and culture,i think italians need to support those in italy and make gorgeus children of mixed race
ReplyDeleteas an italian american i think its terrible to mistreat people like this,but i guarantee its not all italians ,also alot of italians have african blood in them from way back to ancient rome days with the romans mixing with the slaves and later on italy invading ethiopia. many italians dont know there true history and culture,i think italians need to support those in italy and make gorgeus children of mixed race
ReplyDeleteI just came across this video on a black American's experiences in Italy. https://youtu.be/3QlJn3VYgt4
ReplyDeleteI just came across this video on a black American's experience in Italy.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/3QlJn3VYgt4
Reading through the comments, it is truly disheartening and evident that there is a lack of discourse on how people of interracial couples or people of mixed-race are being treated. After doing some research on mixed-race identity in Italy, I recently found a short eight-minute-long documentary film produced by Ryan Cooper-Brown called Being Both which showcases multiple young adults who discuss their struggles with mixed-race identity and racism. I can honestly say that I resonated with both this post and the documentary film as this question of identity and belonging is something that I have often come to terms with as a Mexican-Sicilian-American woman who only speaks English fluently. It can be a struggle at times to completely identify with and feel accepted by either side of my heritage as I do not speak either Italian or Spanish fluently and I have not been as exposed to Mexican culture growing up. I can see how it could be very difficult for children of two or more races to feel accepted from either Italians or other ethnic groups because society often makes them feel as if they are not enough like one group or the other. I personally would think that education at the elementary school level as well as informational films that include the testimonies of mixed-race identities would be helpful in this process, but I am curious to know more about any recent efforts or existing Italian organizations that have helped to make progress in combating racism and helping children embrace biracial or multiracial identities.
ReplyDeleteI thought Italians loved black people, hey look at Robert De'Niro. Everyone is not going to love you or like you,what matters is that they respect you.
ReplyDelete