Stories of intolerance

The history of Italian emigration is studded with tragic episodes of xenophobia, which occurred both in Europe and America especially in the last decade of the nineteenth century. The figures comment for themselves.

In the United States: in 1891, 11 lynchings in New Orleans; in 1893, one lynching in Denver; in 1895, 6 murders in Walsenburg; in 1896, 5 lynchings in Tallulah. In Europe: in 1893, numerous victims in incidents in Aigues Mortes, France; in 1896, 3 murders in Zurich. In addition, a series of incidents-always bloody but with nonlethal outcomes-marked the entire period of the great emigration.

Common elements in all the episodes were: racial and cultural prejudices; fears of economic repercussions from the massive influx of immigrants; and the influence of the general political situation in the countries involved in migration.

How strong was the racially motivated aversion especially toward Italians, considered little more than Negroes, accustomed to the hardest jobs and living very sparingly, is clear from countless disparaging cartoons published in newspapers and magazines in many countries.

USA, Louisiana, New Orlenas, 1891. Massacre of Italians. The dead belonged to the Sicilian community and were considered simply mobsters. Enraged fellow citizens drew them from prison, where they were held on charges of killing the town police commander, and slaughtered them
"La Tribuna," July 8, 1894. Italian stores are looted in Lyon after the assassination of French President Sadi-Carnot by Italian anarchist Sante Caserio
"The Tribune," September 8, 1893. The Massacre of Aigues Mortes.
"La Domenica del Corriere," April 14, 1903. Aristide Borelli, a very young figurine maker, is roughed up by some passersby who also destroy his basket of figurines
Sacco and Vanzetti in court