Struggles and Triumphs: The Italian Immigrant Experience

Salvatore Di Blasi’s Passport photo. Rosalia Di Blasi in front of her house in Little Italy

By: Salvatore Di Blasi

Struggles and Triumphs: The Italian Immigrant Experience

Introduction

In my course ITAL2P98: Italians in Canada and Italy-Canada Relations at Brock University in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (MLLC), I chose a personal approach by interviewing my Nonno and Nonna, Salvatore and Rosalia Di Blasi, to document their experiences as Italian immigrants to Canada. The interview was structured in two parts: first, I focused on their individual stories, including their journeys, family history, and the impacts of immigration. In the second part, I brought them together to discuss their experiences of starting a family as young immigrants. Despite the unique challenges they each faced, they supported each other and, with the help of family, managed to overcome obstacles and build a successful life in Canada.

The interview took place in a controlled setting and was voice-recorded, accompanied by photos provided by Salvatore and Rosalia that depict their journey as immigrants. The interview format includes on-screen questions and differentiates between the individual and joint segments, providing a clear narrative of their immigration experience.

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Summary of Interviews

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Analysis

After the interviews, both of their stories revealed strong connections to some of the course content discussed in lectures. Kenneth Bagnell’s Canadese: A Portrait of the Italian-Canadians, as well as John E. Zucchi’s Italians in Toronto: Development of a National Identity, 1875-1935 discuss the correlation between their narratives and the larger Italian-Canadian experience. The difficulties that Italian immigrants endured, such as discrimination, poverty, and language obstacles, are highlighted by both authors (Bagnell, Ch. 4–5, 121–160; Zucchi, Ch. 2 and 4, 39–78). These difficulties are similar to those that Salvatore and Rosalia faced when they first arrived in Canada. The importance of community is emphasized by Zucchi and Bagnell, who highlight “Little Italy,” mutual help organizations, and churches (Bagnell, Ch. 7, 194; Zucchi, Ch. 2, 40), elements that were essential for Rosalia and Salvatore as they adjusted to their new surroundings. Furthermore, both writers stress the value of maintaining Italian cultural identity (Bagnell, Ch. 7, 192; Zucchi, Ch. 6, 115), a subject that is particularly relevant to Salvatore and Rosalia’s efforts to preserve their cultural traditions while transitioning into Canadian society and passing them on to their children. Their development is reflected in the generational transition observed by Zucchi and Bagnell, where subsequent generations embrace professional and educational opportunities while combining Italian tradition with Canadian beliefs (Bagnell, Ch. 5, 152; Zucchi, Ch. 6, 137). Furthermore, Salvatore and Rosalia’s perseverance throughout their immigration journey is reflected in Bagnell’s examination of Italian-Canadians’ resiliency, particularly during difficult times like World War II (Bagnell, Ch. 9, 243-257). Ultimately, their experiences represent the more general issues of identity development, communal strength, and cultural adaptation that both Zucchi and Bagnell express in their writings.

Salvatore and Rosalia’s journeys to Canada differed greatly, each encountering unique hardships as they struggled to adapt and establish themselves in their new homeland. Being older at the time of immigration, Salvatore started school in Grade 8, which was a difficult transition made worse by bullying, discrimination, language barriers, and a lack of proper support. In addition to the academic pressures, he found it difficult to adapt to the strange Canadian climate and norms. In contrast, Rosalia arrived in Canada in Grade 3, which made it easier for her to adapt and learn the language while she was still young. However, she also encountered challenges, including the language barrier and adjusting to the climate. Her greatest adversity stemmed from her father’s traditional mindset, which imposed strict expectations on her. She was responsible for cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry while balancing her school responsibilities, all under strict rules regarding her outings. Despite their different experiences, Salvatore and Rosalia shared the common adversity of sacrificing their familiar lives to start anew in a foreign country. Their generational, geographical, and gender differences shaped the unique obstacles each had to overcome, ultimately influencing the individuals they are today.

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Reflection

Having heard their story numerous times before, I initially thought the interview would be no different. However, the questions I presented to Salvatore and Rosalia from this course opened up new insights that I had never considered. I entered the interview with a vague idea of what they might say and expected them to reiterate familiar details. To my surprise, the depth and richness of the information they shared truly astonished me, fostering a deeper bond between us as they recounted stories from their past.

For instance, I had no idea that Salvatore was bullied when he first came to Canada. Hearing about the discrimination, racism, and physical altercations he faced during his transition was completely unexpected. I was appreciative of his willingness to share this insight with me because it gave me a new perspective on his history. Similarly, when Rosalia opened up about her feelings of isolation at school, expressing how she often felt like an outcast who didn’t belong. Hearing those words broke my heart; no child should ever have to experience such feelings.

They also shared passports and photos with me, which gave our conversation an amazing aspect. Before the interview, I hadn’t considered asking for old photos of them as children, but seeing them made their stories real in a way I never would have thought possible. It made me deeply appreciate the physical, emotional, and mental challenges they faced in moving to a foreign country, all for the sake of their future families. Their sacrifices and unwavering determination resonate profoundly with me, serving as a powerful reminder of the resilience required to forge a new life. Being entrusted with their stories is an immense honor, and I am incredibly thankful for the wonderful legacy they have left behind. Their story is not merely a piece of their history; it is an example of sacrifice, love, and the enduring power of family that will continue to motivate generations to come.

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