Why do some people of Italian descent do this?

[Anonymous]

Melissa Gorga from Real Housewives of NJ is dark skinned Italian.

Here is her high school photo: http://cdn3-www.realitytea.com/assets/uploads/2011/07/melissa-gorga-before.png

Here is her now: http://www.okmagazine.com/sites/okmagazine.com/files/imagecache/node_page_image/article_images/melissa-gorga-sept-23-001.jpg

[Anonymous]

Northern Italians also are lighter/prettier so it's considered that you are complimenting yourself, not matter how swarthy you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds similar to how people say they're from "Northern VA," not just "Virginia."

I say this, but more as a "I live near DC." It feels more specific. Also, it bugs me when people from Warrenton say they live in DC. I live Arlington and I don't say that because IT'S NOT TRUE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northern Italians also are lighter/prettier so it's considered that you are complimenting yourself, not matter how swarthy you are.

Huh. Care to unpack that one, for us, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From what I recall when I lived in Italy, it's as the pp said. There is a big North-South divide with the north being more wealthy, cosmopolitan, educated and industrialized (sound familiar?). Whereas the caricature of the South is toothless peasants. Rome is technically in the South but they don't admit that. The Mafia is all over but the stronghold is Naples. All the Italians in Florence told me to never, under any circumstances, go there but from what I have heard, that's a big exaggeration.

So is Rome the Italian equivalent of Northern Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Melissa Gorga from Real Housewives of NJ is dark skinned Italian.

Here is her high school photo: http://cdn3-www.realitytea.com/assets/uploads/2011/07/melissa-gorga-before.png

Here is her now: http://www.okmagazine.com/sites/okmagazine.com/files/imagecache/node_page_image/article_images/melissa-gorga-sept-23-001.jpg

Wow, her high school photo looks like a biracial black/white child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melissa Gorga from Real Housewives of NJ is dark skinned Italian.

Here is her high school photo: http://cdn3-www.realitytea.com/assets/uploads/2011/07/melissa-gorga-before.png

Here is her now: http://www.okmagazine.com/sites/okmagazine.com/files/imagecache/node_page_image/article_images/melissa-gorga-sept-23-001.jpg

Wow, her high school photo looks like a biracial black/white child.

Invading armies syndrome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Melissa Gorga from Real Housewives of NJ is dark skinned Italian.

Here is her high school photo: http://cdn3-www.realitytea.com/assets/uploads/2011/07/melissa-gorga-before.png

Here is her now: http://www.okmagazine.com/sites/okmagazine.com/files/imagecache/node_page_image/article_images/melissa-gorga-sept-23-001.jpg

Wow, her high school photo looks like a biracial black/white child.

Invading armies syndrome.

She said people always told her she looked like Tia and Tamera Mowry who are biracial.

[Anonymous]

Funny. Leave it to D.C. to say someone doesn't "really" live where they do or someone isn't "really" their culture: That is not McLean, that's Tysons...That is not McLean, its Langley.....That is not Langley, that is McLean.....That is not Clifton, that is Centreville.....That is not Potomac, it is East BFD Who Cares......

Now according to PP, Italians are black. Does that make you feel better, PP? You hate black people? Who else do you hate? Yourself?

I think the only identity crisis is amongst the people that start these trolling posts. If you wanted to know about Italians, why didn't you either just travel there or just ask? You don't know any Italians, OP?

OP, what is your background? Do you even know?

If I want an authority on any subject, my resources certainly do not come from here.

[Anonymous]

Because it hasn't been a unified country all that long, so people are simply telling you where they are from in the way that resonates for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Funny. Leave it to D.C. to say someone doesn't "really" live where they do or someone isn't "really" their culture: That is not McLean, that's Tysons...That is not McLean, its Langley.....That is not Langley, that is McLean.....That is not Clifton, that is Centreville.....That is not Potomac, it is East BFD Who Cares......

Now according to PP, Italians are black. Does that make you feel better, PP? You hate black people? Who else do you hate? Yourself?

I think the only identity crisis is amongst the people that start these trolling posts. If you wanted to know about Italians, why didn't you either just travel there or just ask? You don't know any Italians, OP?

OP, what is your background? Do you even know?

If I want an authority on any subject, my resources certainly do not come from here.

Not OP but things in the DC area are not as Italian, Puerto Rican, Irish, etc... As they are in NY and NJ. There aren't neighborhoods with large numbers of groups like in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island and Staten Island in NY. So people here rarely know the county of ancestry for their neighbors. Italian, German, French is not the conversation starter here.

[Anonymous]

PP: Sometimes I miss that - the conversation starter you mention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We Americans surely do this when in other countries, no? "Where are you from?" "New Yawk." "L.A." "Baaaahston." "America...NOT the SOUTH tho!!!" etc.

Comments such as the ones written here show that there are indeed ignorant and uneducated people everywhere!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Souther Italian here.

It's a NORTH/SOUTH thing, same as the US.
People in the US make certain assumptions about people from the South (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana etc) ....hence Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. (stupid, poor and uneducated)
And certain assumptions about people from the North (educated, wealthy and healthier).

Those assumptions don't hold true for many northerners. Neighborhoods in Harlem, the South Bronx, and parts of Brooklyn have at least a third or more of those who live there dealing with poverty on a daily basis. Plus, consider the fact that African American and Hispanic families often live in those areas--talk about prejudice, poverty, and limited access to adequate healthcare. It may be "fun" to laugh at the Honey Boo Boos, but there are plenty of people in northern areas who could also be mocked (but shouldn't be) for their ignorance and behavior.

[Anonymous]

A bit off topic but I can't take Italian-Americans that can't speak/comprehend Italian seriously when they swell up in pride over their Italian heritage. Like-wise Irish-Americans, who are laughed at in Ireland as being Plastic Paddies.

Language is a huge part of cultural identity. If you've lost it, you are just another american no matter how much you try to connect to your roots. Blame your parents for not learning from your grandparents so they [your parents] couldn't teach you.

Liking Cacciatore and wearing clothing with il tricolore on it does not make you an italian-american.