Very interesting documentary (English version) about the Chinese community in Milan.
Despite the fact we see migrants or non native communities in our cities, we often pretend they are "invisible". The have a sort of invisible aura that make them non relevant to our lives. Chinese are relevant only when they cause troubles, otherwise they are like small ghosts who own restaurants, shops and sometimes exploit women who are exploited both by their own community and by Italians (i.e. Chinese massages centres).
I've become interested in those "silent identities" lately and I do think they deserve our attention and all our efforts to develop a truly multicultural society. The myth of race (such as the razza padana) recalls fascism and we are several decades after the dictatorship. We are not better or worse than anyone else, we simply need to time to adjust to a different Italian society which, I think, would be much more vital and culturally rich if only we would be more prone to share our space with other people.
Hi Lola-
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love how you think and I do believe in your words there lies the answer to world peace. Amen.
Love you
Gail
peace.....
It is also worth considering that there are many myths about chinese people in Italy, at least in Florence. The most common is that they make their children work all night like little slaves and don't care about school. I have friends who are teachers and they have to fight this prejudice every day. Many chinese children are brilliant at school and their parents care very much about their education.
ReplyDeleteCertainly, living in ghettos and fighting to make ends meet doesn't help integration, but is it the chinese people's fault?
How would - for example - italians behave if transplanted to China?
@Gail: wow! Thanks for your words :)
ReplyDelete@arte: yes, indeed there are many myths about migrants in Italy which are absolutely ridiculous (like the one you mentioned).
I can't even imagine Italians living in China!