Discussion n. 10: due FEB 26

In your comments:  choose one section of Brandon's assignment and

 

Don't choose the same sections that were already chosen by others 

 

1) compare it to you work (if you did it).

2) explain why you will use it as a MODEL for future assignments, for what purpose.

3) evaluate critically Task 5 writing. CRITICAL can also mean NEGATIVE.

 

Use a numbered list 1) 2) 3) as above.

 

BEFORE YOU START:

 

- Look back at the previous comments left to Gabriela's essay: a lot of them feel purely perfunctory, with little interest. They add very little to the discussion.

 

- Take every possible opportunity to express your ORIGINAL take on thing, your ORIGINAL reactions. Make your voice count.

 

 

Brandon's work is EXTENSIVE -- give it the time it deserves.

 

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Brandon Green                                                                                   February 18

task 1:  Copy the following statement: "Late assignments and / or assignments that do not meet format requirements will not be graded."

task 2:   Type clear but short NOTES of the videos below:  1, 2, 3, 4

1

-This class will not focus on the adulterated/stereotypical facets of Italian culture

-Instead, it will hone in on the collective experience of  immigrants and their migration to a new country

-We are all immigrants; excluding Native Americans and African Americans (since they did not willingly come to America)

-The Great Migration- Migration from southern-----northern states. Started end of Civil War----- approx. 1960s. Very similar culturally to migration of large groups of people who share a connection (social structure, tradition, background, etc.).

-Most in the Great Migration came from sharecropping backgrounds in rural southern areas. Spurred by Industrialization that came about from WWII.

-Young men went to war; many jobs open up in factories for African Americans from the south.

-Left only place that they knew for, literally, another country; very similar to what other populations experienced.

2

-Christopher Columbus first Italian (?) to set foot in country.

-Casesar Alberti Venetian immigrant to Amsterdam; led trickle of immigrants.

-1600-1700s- Very large wave of migration from England and, later, from Germany. Ben Franklin wary of Germans, recommends that they would be barred from speaking language, restrict freedoms, etc. refrain from integration.

-Important because immigrants have been changing/influencing country from the beginning.

-After Germans, Southern German immigrants come in. Catholic, which adds to culture/language difference, leads to enormous conflict.

-1840-50s- Potato Famine in Ireland. Crop fails, country starving. One mill. Irish die, one mill migrate to America, and one mill remain in Ireland. Not welcome when arrive in America bc Catholic; seen as very dangerous. American group tries to limit immigration of Irish in every possible way (destroy stores, attack schools, etc.). “Know-nothing’s/”

-Newspaper media destroyed Irish image. Attacked stereotypes.

-One ace in the hole, and that is Irish ability to speak English. Could integrate into society easily in this sense by working/holding jobs.

-Later, Eastern European Jews enter into America to escape from Russian pressure. Die or leave. Expelled into large groups and shipped to America. Jews had several strikes against them. Not Anglo-Saxon, not Christian, HOWEVER, all males (and many women) knew how to read/write. All spoke common language of Yiddish (hybrid of German/Hebrew). Russians started in late 1800s and continued into 20^th C. ENTIRE society moved away, including all layers involved. As such, could continue activities almost instantly, not much difficulty integrating.

-Now, Italians (1880s). MAJOR obstacle- cannot speak English. Italy essentially split into two languages: formal Italian (1300s, major common language) and local dialects (lower status citizens, peasants, etc.). Dialect here does not refer to difference in pronunciation; completely different language. Sicilians and Neapolitans could not communicate with one another (changed today, however). As such, impossible to link completely, come in uneducated, illiterate, peasants. Could not communicate, and had no assets. Filled jobs could handle, lowest possible jobs at times. Many even go south and fill jobs abandoned by African Americans.

3

-A Wop cartoon- Scientific representation. Psychological/criminological theory that criminals born as they are; innately criminal/deviant. Criminal naturally associated w/ mental illness, and as such someone committing crimes basically bc born that way. You can tell who they were by way they looked, which many at the time pointed towards the Sicilian look (short, dark skinned, hairy, lips, etc.) .Encompassed features that resemble that of an ape. Becomes dominant theory of the time. PEOPLE COMMITTING CRIMES WERE INNATELY DRAWN TO CRIME. Italians fit stereotypical “deviant” look.

What are the BASIC ideas of Lombroso's theories?

-Lombroso’s theory maintains that: 1) Criminality is inherited, and 2)Criminals can be identified by certain physical traits (e.g. pointed noses, bloodshot eyes, wrinkled skin, etc.) Stated that people with >5 biological traits were criminals. Hypersensitivity to pain and touch,    use of special criminal slang,   grotesque expression of thoughts,    tattoos and    unemployment were other criminal traits in Lombroso’s theory.

-Broke criminals into three groups: Born criminals (30%), abnormal criminals (alcoholics, paranoids, etc.), and occasional criminals.

-Found females to be “far more ruthless than males” (historyextra) in terms of action; also pointed out physical defects in them that could spell out “criminal.” (darker hair and smaller skulls than most women)

-While there were numerous flaws found in Lombroso’s theory as time passed (which led to stereotypes of particular groups of people), he is still considered one of the first to study crime/criminals through a scientific lens.

-Also known as early sexologist and believer in the paranormal. Studied these fields as well.

How can we connect THE APE CARTOON TO LOMBROSO'S Theories?

-The “criminal appearance” that Lombroso depicts in his theory resembles that of Sicilians and, to a further extent, apes. This, coupled with the negative perception Americans already harbored towards Italians (Catholicism, inability to speak English) led to the stereotyping of Italian immigrants in media outlets such as political cartoons, newspapers, etc. The Ape Cartoon is a prime example of how Americans twisted the Lombroso theory to poke fun and hate at a great Italian culture that they knew nothing about, in that the general public was instructed to associate animals/criminals with the Italian tribe.

Are today's studies into DNA and the brain going to bring us back to the same point?

-I recently read a DNA study in which scientists detailed how one’s habits/tendencies could determine a lot about a particular person’s character. This is eerily similar to Lombroso’s study, in that if one habit, say, cracking knuckles, for example, just happens to appear in one specific demographic in a study, people might take this as an indication of an entire tribe, and proceed to make it into an ongoing stereotype. History often repeats itself.

4

-Phrenology is the study of relationship between personality and shape of skull; let’s see the connection in this clip.

-Ben was a slave (?), therefore African American (presumably). Crops in Mississippi.

-“Why don’t they (African Americans) kill us?” Racist, says “surrounded by black faces all life.”

-Says “submissive” part of African American brain is larger than any of its kind on Earth. I feel disgusted. “Unburdened by genius,” missing “civility” in brain.

-Trying to justify mistreatment of human being by the shape of his skull. VERY similar to Ape cartoon towards Italians. Wrong, but then again this is how people attempted to justify racism at the time.

Task 3:   Research: in google, enter the following string:   <New Orleans 1891 italians lynching.>
Writing: write a summary of the events in New Orleans 1891 IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Don't even think about lifting text from websites. A solid paragraph is enough but make sure you show you understood the dynamics of those events. Read more than one quick website.

On the night of October 15, 1890, Chief of Police David Hennessy was shot and killed in front of his home in New Orleans, Louisiana.  As Hennessy died, he allegedly mumbled the words, “The Dagoes (derogatory Italian term) did it,” which gave the community the excuse they needed to fledge a hate war. Mayor Joseph Shakespeare then ordered the police to round up every Italian in the city, which resulted in the arrests of about 45 Italians across the area. Ultimately, 21 of these men were charged with the murder of the Chief, and 11 stood trial. We must keep in mind here that the police had NO evidence against these men, and absolutely NO reason whatsoever to believe that an Italian had, in fact, killed Hennessy. None of the 11 were found guilty, but all were taken to prison and locked away. Jump to the morning of March 14, and children/wives are cheering as their fathers/husbands march towards the jail to “seek justice.” They would end up infiltrating the prison and brutally killing all 11 men; again, none had been found guilty. I was appalled at the lengths that the citizens of New Orleans went to satisfy their racist tendencies; murdering innocent human beings in this manner is beyond incomprehensible, and it is false justification (NONE were even linked to the crime) like in this case that spurred similar events such as the Holocaust (Jews are “evil,” downfall,  etc.).

task 4:  The "GREAT MIGRATION" of African Americans from the rural South to the industrialized North.  Watch   "ONE WAY TICKET" and listen to "THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS"   TAKE NOTES   (scroll below)

One-Way Ticket

- works of Jacob Lawrence, who was first African American artist to have personal show at MoMa.

-Captures piece of migrant experience in art form.

-Completed 60 paintings in 1941 at just 23 years old. Focused on themes like crowding, anxiety, and leeriness in his works, while also honing in on areas like New York and Chicago that were central points for many African Americans during the Great Migration.

-Color(ad lack thereof) is used as a symbol of how people during this movement felt, leaving behind everything they knew for what was literally like a different country (North).

-Audio-

-Isabel Wilkerson- Pulitzer-prize winner. Seeks to answer many questions about family and how their experiences in the Great Migration.

-Identifies as an immigrant; pour into same cities at same time that immigrants from other parts of the world are.

-Defines perseverance and strength as key traits that those coming in the Great Migration needed in order to succeed. Callers echo this notion.

-Sought opportunity, chance, etc. (African Americans) came for same reasons as other ethnic groups. Much in common. Sought a better life and important/crucial part of American history.

task 5:  screening: Screen and TAKE NOTES      The Black Hand and Skyscrapers of New York.  (see below)

The Black Hand

-Italian thugs have hats, mustaches, stereotypical look.

-Thugs threaten to take butcher’s daughter, Maria.

-Kidnap Maria. Take her in horse/buggy.

-Hide out in junk shop; perhaps a subtle insult to Italian immigrants?

-Thugs drink excessively and gamble/play cards… All stereotypes of Italians at the time

-New York

-The Black Hand - gangsters

-Italian thugs are not smart at all- bumbling and aloof.

-Police arrest Black Hand; Maria and family safe

Skyscrapers of New York

-New York City skyline- plenty of smoke/smog

-Workers are busy; men appear to be hammering/constructing edifice of skyscraper. Steelworkers?

-Seemingly low level job… perhaps these men are immigrants (and, to a further extent, Italian immigrants)?

-Yes, probably Italians… Professor mentioned in lecture that 1880’s was high time for Italian immigration to America

-Several men glide together on one rope. Very dangerous… where is the supervisor? Safety regulations?

-Dago Pete- Italian. Derogatory term. Depicted as violent (starts fight), as well as a thief (retaliates by robbing contractor). Common stereotypes of Italians at the time (“criminals,””evil”). Also tells lies by accusing someone else of stealing.

-Dago Pete is embodiment of Italian stereotypes. Director presents him in this way to make a negative statement about Italians and their culture.

-Resorts to violence in fight atop skyscraper. Deepen the stereotype by adding violence to the mix. Contractor needs to be rescued.

-Apprehended and taken to court. Justice served?

NOTES and BRIEF ANSWERS:  what kind of REPRESENTATION of Italians emerges from these two shorts? What is the main theme?

In these two shorts, Italians are represented as vicious and conniving criminal with mustaches. They are only shown in a negative light, and never in a positive one. Italians fight, steal, lie, and drink in these films, which allows the respective directors to present Italians in such a way that showcases the stereotypes that applied to them at the time (early 1900s). This negative perception of Italians in media is the common theme in these two shorts, and one that contributed to Americans’ distaste of Italian immigrants at the time.

task 5  WRITING     . reflect on the message of cartoons and shorts WITH CLEAR EXAMPLES. What was the public being told about Italians?  (If you want you can compare today's media message: what are we being told by many sources about Mexican immigrants, Muslims, Black Lives Matter etc.?)

                The common theme between the cartoons and shorts is that of hostility; a hostility from American media outlets towards Italians in the Early 20^thC simply because they were “different.”(Catholic, non-English speakers, differed from standard Anglo-Saxon mold) By presenting Italians as criminals, alcoholics, and derelicts (just to name a few of the commonly used stereotypes), authors of cartoons and directors of shorts were able to use media to influence the negative public perception of Italian immigrants. A prime example of this can be found in the “Five Vignettes”  cartoon, which depicted Italians as barefoot, alley-living bums who derived pleasure from undesirable activities such as playing with knives and committing crimes; the vignette concluded by offering a “solution” to the Italian immigrant issue in caging/drowning the tribe as if they were rats. Compare this to the Black Hand criminal organization from the 1906 film of the same name, and we see Italians depicted as more of the same; that is, mustached alcoholics/gamblers that lie, fight, and steal .This led many Americans to buy into the misguided notion that all Italian immigrants lived and behaved this way, which resulted in the strong opposition to Italian Immigrants in the late 1800s/early 1900s.

            The initial disgust I felt when reading through the cartoons and watching the shorts soon turned to a sense of resignation and acceptance. Several notable news outlets (CNN, etc.), multiple organizations (Breitbart, etc.) and even a certain elected public official still use this method on a daily basis, and as such we must (regrettably) accept that this stereotyping  of an entire tribe through media is here to stay. Let us look at the recent work of Mr. Trump , for instance. Here we have a president who used his election campaign as a medium to bash the entire Muslim culture and to imply that every member of that tribe was a senseless, violent terrorist with no regard for humanity. Fast forward a bit, and not much has changed in our elected leader; racist ideas are constantly embedded in presidential advertisements and twitter posts from Trump to suggest a “remedy” (i.e. banning ALL Muslims from immigrating to America) for curing the Muslim “problem,” which is eerily similar to the Five Vignettes Cartoon’s solution for dealing with Italians. In the cartoon, readers are told that arresting and drowning Italians are the best ways to handle the “issue,” which is not far off from the outright ban Trump placed on Muslims looking to enter into the United States just a few short weeks ago. Like the representation of Italians in the shorts, Trump and his disciples only depict Muslims in a negative light, never once focusing on all of the benefits that these tribes could bring to the country. Italians in The Black Hand are shown as violent and alcoholic criminals while Muslims in the Trump agenda are pegged as barbaric and ruthless terrorists. One hundred year’s difference, and yet the same rings true- the American public is shown and told only what those who control the media want them to see and hear, resulting in unmitigated hatred and uninformed stereotyping of entire groups of people.