When you are an immigrant, many doors are closed. Well, yes, some, some are open—but they are hidden. Without help, I can’t find them.
Edgar
As the saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. For immigrants and youth in Italy there are few and far between doors in terms of education and like Edgar believes, “…they are hidden. Without help. I can’t find them”. Unfortunately the country of Italy does not treat its immigrants and youth the way many Western countries do. This is because a recurring prejudice that was established in the 1970’s when Italy shifted from an “immigrant-sending country to an immigrant-receiving country” (Italy’s Racial Cauldron). Like many immigrants in this country, the Italian youth is also rejected by older generations. As Amara Lakhous mentioned in his lecture, it is shameful to be young in Italy. Many of these doors continue to stay hidden strictly because of the prejudice the Italian people have against immigrants and their youth.
While immigrants fight for an education, they find themselves outside of doors that say “no entry”. In Italy there are programs for immigrant children that need additional help outside the classroom, however they meet only once a week, which does not effect the overall improvement sought by the parents of the children and by their teachers. Tuition is expensive. Many of the immigrant parents’ incomes would be adequate in their home countries, however in Italy, they are insufficient. With immigrant parents unable to apply for jobs in the public sector, it is almost impossible to find a job that can provide enough for the tuition of Italian education. Meanwhile education in the United States, besides private schooling, is virtually free until college. What many students in America take for granted, is an education that is free, a possible future that includes a career, but also assimilates immigrant children into the culture. This right to education can be seen as the first step in which to encourage integration.
Italy does not approve of assimilating immigrants for fear of them not being “pure blood” Italian. However, some Italian people are aware of immigrants’ struggle to conform. The Martelli law established a system that created welcome centers for new immigrants in every Italian city however as Asale, Angel- Ajani states in Italy’s Racial Cauldron, “Even this modest gesture created tremendous uproar among conservative policy makers, who argued that Italy was already too soft on immigrants”. Where does this resentment come from? There is no correct answer for this question, however after reading the articles one can see a common theme of hatred towards anyone not Italian-enough, “Italy does not have ethnic minorities, but rather immigrants”(Current Research into Education and Schooling in Italy). I found this concept disturbing. But how does a country’s opinion that has been set for over 20 to 40 years change of the people inhabiting it? There are many prejudices against immigrants in the United States, for example the current situation with Hispanic immigrants coming from Mexico. It seems there are ways in which these people can adapt and integrate into American society. Why is it that American citizens seem to accept immigrants more than Italians? While the United States is a country born of immigrants, Italy too has been affected by immigration for hundreds of years. However, instead of helping the people that have the power and magnitude to someday over-populate Italy, they treat immigrants and immigrant youth with little compassion.
One would think Italy would provide doors of opportunity for their youth in terms of education. These assumptions could be constructed by the common misconception that, like the United States, countries provide the essentials for their youth considering their future involvement in that society when they become adults. In the states, success is key for youth, and typically when a young person does not succeed, the older generation is at fault as well. However, in Italy as Amara Lakhous mentioned in his visit, this is not a country for youth, especially immigrant youth.
As many know, Italy is struggling with the constant decline of birthrates, therefore the immigrant population in Italy is increasing, and will only double as the years go on. As the authors of Children Crossing Borders mentions that “approximately 25% of children in a typical municipal preschool are likely to come from im/migrant families that speak a language other than Italian at home”. As the percentage of immigrant children is growing, there seems to be a stronger hold on keeping them out of schools and at smaller numbers. The Minster of Education, Gelmini, has received public attention from the immigrant population and Italian citizens after announcing the rule of having no more than 30% of immigrants in classrooms. In addition to keeping the percentage of immigrant students as low as possible, many new students are placed within classes of their same age groups, only to receive little to no assistance with catching up. This causes many immigrant students to fall behind and eventually be placed in classes with younger students (Current Research into Education and Schooling in Italy). The Italian education system is flawed, for immigrants and youth and unfortunately it does look to be improving any time soon.
In Italy there is a revolving door in terms of education for immigrants and youth. At face value, it seems that there are endless possibilities available with such a door, visible through the glass is a diploma, a college degree, a career, and a future. However, as immigrants and youth attempt to go through this door, it spins too fast. In the end, only the fastest and smartest ones can get through the cracks and succeed.
One quote in particular has brought many questions to my attention throughout the readings.
“One 1996 elementary school text, assigns, as an issue for discussion:
ISSUE. The poor emigrate. Often to reach a richer country they must contract with organisations that demand a lot of money. When they arrive, many cannot find work or are underpaid for difficult work. Often they find themselves in a world where food is thrown into the garbage while their children, in their home country, die of hunger. AND YOU? Does this seem right? Do you know an immigrant who lives in terrible conditions? Do you ever waste food? Discuss this with the teacher and your classmates.
ISSUE. Europe has become a destination highly sought after by immigrants. The European peoples have to deal with different races and cultures. AND YOU? How do you behave towards children of other races that you know? How can you deal with each other and affect each other reciprocally and pacifically?
Aside from the terminology, one wonders how the “children of other races” answer this question.” (Current Research Into Education and Schooling in Italy).
How does an author (of textbooks for elementary schools) avoid questioning him or herself the same thing?
How is the extent of inappropriateness not obvious in these questions?
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