5/24/2009 by Patrizia Notarnicola Italy
Is Italy a multicultural country? And what about Rome, a major European city open to influences from different cultures or suspicious of the ways of Johnny foreigner (*)?
In Italy lately even the mere concept of 'multiculturalism' has been called into question.
So what does multiculturalism mean?
Well, in recent weeks the notion of multiculturalism has sparked much political controversy on this issue. I was personally surprised to hear from some political commentators that it seems that the word multiculturalism means residence permit, immigration or, worse, the need to defend itself from foreign invaders. We talk about multiculturalism as if it were a threat in terms of legality and public order. They forget that the whole history of humanity is the result of movements and cross breeds between people from different geographic contexts. Does multiculturalism not refer to the coexistence of cultures, traditions and languages from different individuals who are carriers of their own identity?
But it is not of semantics that I want to talk about here. I think about my little multicultural experience as part of the Friends In Rome. I see friendships arise between Austrians and Brazilians, Italians and Poles, Kiwis and Americans, Mexicans and Brits and French and Spanish - the permutations of peoples of different countries interacting seems boundless. Of course, these are people who feel similar because of the condition of expat, expatriates, but they are clearly united by a mutual desire to learn and understand: to experience together, to grow together. Also some participants of the Friends in Rome are the children of an Italian father and a foreign mother the result of two people of different nationalities being in love. This reality, in my opinion, shows that multiculturalism is a phenomenon not only relating to historical and social factors, but can transcend the supposed difficulties and boundaries of cultural traditions and language when it relates to the lives and affections of individuals.
From my perspective I find it very interesting to see the country and the city where I live in through the eyes of those coming from another nation, even if I may feel that at times I am considered "la classica italiana" with a critical eye rather than tones of appreciation. Not infrequently I can better understand my reality thanks to the comparison with a foreign friend and I can learn that the knowledge makes us overcome the fear of different.
Certainly, my experience of multicultural Friends in Rome is far from great differences in religious and social issues or from someone who has emigrated or is leaving behind a tragic situation or financial hardship due to political and economic reasons. Nonetheless my experiences of the Friends In Rome meetings show a microcosm and suggest that Italy could become a wonderful multi-ethnic country. Hopefully in the not to distant future Rome could truly be a mediator of culture, a place of connection between different points of view. Basically each culture is multicultural because in itself has many aspects that come from different cultures.
But what is your opinion of Italy?
In your view is Italy already a multicultural and a multiethnic country and how does it compare with your country of origin?
(*)the term ‘Johnny Foreigner' is used by loads of old people to describe immigrants in their area. They would blame Johnny Foreigner for taking all the available jobs, for keeping their shops open for longer hours and for working harder.
thanks to Sav D'Souza for the translation contribution
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5/24/2009
5/24/2009
