Preservation and Pride: Dominic Candeloro Talks Italian-American Culture
11/19/23 • 53 min
Witness a riveting journey back in time as we shed light on the incredible saga of Italian-American immigration. In an engaging tête-à-tête with Dominic Candeloro, a scholar of Italian American history and culture, we dive deep into this often untold tale. Drawing from the fascinating narrative of Candeloro's own father, an illegal immigrant who fought tooth and nail to gain citizenship during World War II, we piece together the profound impact of the war on the Italian American community and their subsequent integration into American society.
Growing up Italian American post-World War II was a unique experience, one that's brought to life by Candeloro. We challenge the misconceptions of Italy as a war-torn and impoverished nation, and shed light on how these misconceptions played a role in influencing Italian American pride. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we discuss the shift in scholarship in the 1960s, leading to the formation of the American Italian Historical Association and a newfound appreciation for cultural continuity. Candeloro's unexpected journey to becoming a passionate advocate for Italian American culture serves as an inspiring beacon for future generations.
Preserving Italian American family history is no easy task, but one that carries immense significance, as Candeloro emphasizes. In an era where younger generations risk severing ties with their Italian roots due to immigration challenges and a lack of media representation, Candeloro offers a ray of hope. He advocates for documenting personal stories and upholding Italian traditions as tangible links to the past. Tune in to our conversation as we celebrate the joy of tracing Italian American ancestry and explore the profound impact of discovering distant relatives. Embrace the importance of recognizing and preserving ethnic identity in American history and culture. This is a journey you wouldn't want to miss.
Dominic Candeloro has been involved in Italian American studies for the past 50 plus years. He is the author of several books on the Italians in Chicago and served as Historical Consultant in the production of “And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy.”
Candeloro was born in Chicago Heights and grew up in an Italian neighborhood, “The Hill.” He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois and has taught History at UIC, UIUC, and Governors State University. He was honored with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award by the Illinois Humanities Council in 1999 for his efforts in documenting and interpreting Italian American culture.
Turnkey. The only thing you’ll lift are your spirits.
Chicago Heights RevisitedThis collection of images the portrait of a lively city striving as one to assist in a World War II
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Witness a riveting journey back in time as we shed light on the incredible saga of Italian-American immigration. In an engaging tête-à-tête with Dominic Candeloro, a scholar of Italian American history and culture, we dive deep into this often untold tale. Drawing from the fascinating narrative of Candeloro's own father, an illegal immigrant who fought tooth and nail to gain citizenship during World War II, we piece together the profound impact of the war on the Italian American community and their subsequent integration into American society.
Growing up Italian American post-World War II was a unique experience, one that's brought to life by Candeloro. We challenge the misconceptions of Italy as a war-torn and impoverished nation, and shed light on how these misconceptions played a role in influencing Italian American pride. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we discuss the shift in scholarship in the 1960s, leading to the formation of the American Italian Historical Association and a newfound appreciation for cultural continuity. Candeloro's unexpected journey to becoming a passionate advocate for Italian American culture serves as an inspiring beacon for future generations.
Preserving Italian American family history is no easy task, but one that carries immense significance, as Candeloro emphasizes. In an era where younger generations risk severing ties with their Italian roots due to immigration challenges and a lack of media representation, Candeloro offers a ray of hope. He advocates for documenting personal stories and upholding Italian traditions as tangible links to the past. Tune in to our conversation as we celebrate the joy of tracing Italian American ancestry and explore the profound impact of discovering distant relatives. Embrace the importance of recognizing and preserving ethnic identity in American history and culture. This is a journey you wouldn't want to miss.
Dominic Candeloro has been involved in Italian American studies for the past 50 plus years. He is the author of several books on the Italians in Chicago and served as Historical Consultant in the production of “And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy.”
Candeloro was born in Chicago Heights and grew up in an Italian neighborhood, “The Hill.” He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois and has taught History at UIC, UIUC, and Governors State University. He was honored with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award by the Illinois Humanities Council in 1999 for his efforts in documenting and interpreting Italian American culture.
Turnkey. The only thing you’ll lift are your spirits.
Chicago Heights RevisitedThis collection of images the portrait of a lively city striving as one to assist in a World War II
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Previous Episode
Unraveling Heritage: The Journey of an Italian Family's Immigration to Australia
Join us on a captivating journey with our guest, Sarah Nielsen, as she unveils her family's rich Italian heritage and their migration to Australia post World War II. Sarah takes us back in time, sharing the challenges her grandfather faced as a young man in his early 20s, leaving Italy to build a new life Down Under. Discover the profound impact he made on the Italian community in Australia and the intriguing process of ancestral land ownership, as Sarah's great-grandfather carved out a new existence in a foreign land.
This episode takes an exciting twist as we delve into the complexities of cultural differences within Sarah's family. Be captivated by the contrasting experiences between her family and her father's Scottish influenced family, highlighting the journey of two distinct cultures intertwining in Australia. Enjoy heartwarming tales of her family's embrace of Italian culture, their unique reasons for moving to Australia, and the bittersweet emotions tied to visiting their ancestral Italian towns.
We conclude this immersive journey with an exploration into the intriguing world of DNA and ancestry. Sarah shares her exhilarating discovery of a distant relative in America and the unraveling of her family's mysteries. The episode ends on a poignant note as she unravels the complex legacy of her great-grandfather, a man who despite his difficult nature, achieved his dream of securing land for his son. Prepare to be enthralled by the compelling journey of family history, immigration, and heritage.
Turnkey. The only thing you’ll lift are your spirits.
Next Episode
Traversing the Landscape of Italian-Canadian Culture with Antonio D'Alfonso
As Antonio D'Alfonso and I, Bob Sorrentino, traverse the intricate landscapes of Italian-Canadian identity, we invite you to join our heartfelt conversation. We share our own family stories of immigration, illuminating the unique cultural experiences that shape Italian Canadians. We journey through Montreal and Toronto, exploring the representation of different Italian regions, and delve into the often complex relationship between language and identity.
Embarking on a deeper exploration, we question the very nature of Italian identity, a complex tapestry woven with threads of history, war, and contemporary perceptions of beauty. We discuss the challenges of a nation without a common language or religion, and share personal stories of self-discovery and cultural understanding. Join us as we challenge the traditional views of identity, and embrace the fluidity of Italian-Canadian and Italian-American experiences.
In the final leg of our journey, we delve into the fascinating concept of an "Italic" identity, a cross-border cultural phenomenon that challenges traditional concepts of nationality and heritage. Despite the harsh realities of racism and intolerance, we remain hopeful for a future where these will be mere echoes of the past. Highlighting Antonio D'Alfonso's autobiographical writing, we uncover a lesser-known aspect of Canadian history and emphasize the importance of preserving diverse cultural identities. Settle in for a thought-provoking exploration of identity and culture in the modern world.
Poet, novelist, essayist, translator, Antonio D’Alfonso has published more than 40 titles and has made three feature films. He is the founder of Guernica Editions which he managed for thirty-three years before passing it on to new owners in 2010. For his writings, he won the Trillium Award, the Bressani Award, and the New York Independent Film Award for his film, Bruco.He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. In 2016, he received a Honorary Doctorate from Athabasca University.
https://antoniodalfonso.com/
Turnkey. The only thing you’ll lift are your spirits.
AntigoneAn adaptation of Sophocles' masterpiece Antigone by Antonio D'Alfonso's
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Italian Roots and Genealogy - Preservation and Pride: Dominic Candeloro Talks Italian-American Culture
Transcript
This is Bob Sorrentino , from Italian Roots and Genealogy , and be sure to check us out on our blog , wwwitaliengeaneologyblog , and our great sponsors Yodoche Vita , italy Rooting and Abiettivo Casa , and I'm thrilled to have a very special guest today from the Chicago
Speaker 1area . He's an author and been working in the Italian community , I t
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