“I don’t
always think of myself as Italian or American or Italian-American. Oddly
enough, when I’m here in this country I think of myself as a little
more Italian, but when I’m in Italy I think of myself as slightly more
American. For me, being American has to do with a certain way of life.
The New York lifestyle is much more frenetic than the laid-back Italian
lifestyle. — Giorgio Ravalli, 22, Italian-American
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Comments?
I fully agree with this statement. Living in the US, I try and relate more to my Argentinian values (as to not lose them) and whenever I fly to Argentina I realize how little I have in common with them as a society and how much more "Americanized" I have become. We all always want what we can't have.
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ReplyDeleteI find the notion that some people feel more American when they're back in their home country than when they're actually in American to be interesting. When you live something everyday, you don't really think about it until you're removed from it. I've had relatives tell me that every time they go back home, they feel less connected to where they came from because they've been living in the States for such a long time. I've also had a Romanian professor tell me in a personal interview that she feels like she has two homes, one here in New York and one in Romania and she doesn't feel a detachment from either. I think it's amazing to see how some people feel so attached to where they came from no matter how often they leave and others feel so far removed. Being hyphenated American though definitely aids in the opinions people have about being both. Most of that is cultural but also generational and being someone who considers themselves a part of two worlds, especially a young person, it can be hard to feel like you actively belong to both sides at all times.
ReplyDeletePeople are going to feel out of place everywhere they go ,especially if it's out of their comfort zone. That comment about Americans lifestlye is totally true about doing things. Were always running around never acting laid back. In Italy I can definitely believe the Italians are laid back. On the news you always here about Americans being crazy or outragously different then any other race. I try to bring my Italian heritage out as much as I can here in New York but im sure in Italy I would be the biggest New Yorker. I probably wouldn't feel completly Italian cause I would have my American lifestyle breaking through also. I think it depends on what kind of environment you are in that maybe you would feel both.
ReplyDeleteThe very last comment stands out to me. Often times when people ask,"what are you?" Whatever the response is atomically causes people to draw conclusions and assume what a person's attitude or ideology may be.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement when im in the US i see myself as being dominican and when I visit my parent country I feel a little out of place since im used to being in the US I see myself as American when in DR
ReplyDeleteI feel the same exact way. When I am in America I consider myself more Haitian then I do a Haitian-American. My family is very traditional and I feel that when in America we embody what it means to be a part of the Haitian culture. Why I consider myself more Haitian than Haitian-American is because most Haitian-Americans I have met are a little less concerned with the culture than my family is. But when I go to Haiti I consider myself a Haitian-American or sometimes even an American because of how I talk (my accent), how I live, and how I dress. When I go over there I realize that I am still very different from them, which makes me feel less of.
ReplyDeleteThis statement is true, because when I first visited Ecuador I noticed they have a different life style compare to here. I felt more american in Ecuador. When I'm in America, I represent my country more.
ReplyDeleteI feel this statement is very true and I feel the same way because there is certain tradition that you always will have with you
ReplyDeleteI understand why he says this. Some people have very strong roots and connect too where they came from. Also when I myself was out of the country I did think of myself as more of an American, not to be that typical American tourist, but its because of what I know, who I am. I felt at times odd overseas when things were really different. At home we connect to the places where either ourselves or our ancestors can from. In a way it gives us a perspective on how cultures are different. Like in this country its like this, and so on.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement. I was born here in the US, my mother was born in Brazil and father in Dominican Republic. Growing up in American society was rather tricky because although many things were accepted here my parents weren't always "all for it." For immigrants there exists many cultural obstacles. Although not publicized immigrants had to deal with racial and economic prejudice as they learned to adapt and create new identities. Since young I considered myself Dominican/Brazilian because, one, I grew up in Washington Heights where the majority of people were hispanic, and two, it was my form of identification. It was a way of telling people hey I'm from this tribe so don't question my ways. Now when I'm in DR or Brazil I consider myself American I guess its because of the background one carries being brought up in such a developed state. A lot of roads aren't paved, children walk around barefoot, and people wear rags for clothes. Most people want to be apart of a collective body that stands for greatness and triumph. Growing up in America and traveling the world you become overwritten with notions of nobility which in the real world is an illusion.
ReplyDeleteI was born in America but considering the large amounts of Jamaican culture in Brooklyn I feel that the culture is still strong within me. When I do go to Jamaica, I can immediately feel the difference when I get to Jamaica. They can tell Americans apart too and they let you know by calling you yankee every chance they get.
ReplyDeleteI always feel Hispanic because that's how they classify me in America. If Santiago wasn't my last name maybe I'd feel different. But regardless of where I am, I feel Puerto Rican. I am very proud of that. I agree with America being a way of life. America is a blend of many different cultures, that I feel there is no real American traditions besides like, Thanksgiving. I feel like being American, is working hard, being fast paced, never giving up, etc. *Take Note: This may just be because PR is a commonwealth and not it's own country.
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