My great-grandparents left Calabria, Italy, in the 1930s to escape poverty during the fascist era. They came to Boston, Massachusetts, searching for a better life for both themselves and their children. This picture is one of the few we have of my great-grandmother, Grazia (anglicized to Grace when she moved), with my grand-uncle Alberto (Albert) while they lived in Italy, because taking pictures was still expensive for the lower class. Although he was born after his parents had already immigrated to Boston, Italian was my grandfather's first language, and neither of his parents learned English upon settling in the US. Italians kept their culture alive in a new country by introducing their unique cuisine to the US, as well as organizing huge feasts and celebrations for Italian holidays. My grandfather fit many of the stereotypes of an Italian-American man, and although I am only a quarter Italian, it is the ethnicity and culture that I identify the most with. Italian culture is very community and family-based, and I see my Italian-American family members often at reunions or by random visits throughout the year. And, of course, Italian food is my favorite!

– JS

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more