EPISODE 120: A Lynching, Columbus Day and Italian Immigration

“[Italians are]… of questionable value from a mental, moral, or physical standpoint.” Anthropologist George Dorsey writing for the Chicago Tribune in 1910.

“[Italians are]… biologically incapable of rising either now or through their descendants above the mentality of a 12-year-old child.” David Starr Jordan, president of Stanford University.

“If the tall, big-boned, blue-eyed, old-fashioned ‘white’ American is not to be bred out entirely by little dark peoples, Uncle Sam must not simply continue the temporary quota law in operation, but must make its provisions much more stringent.” Current Opinion Magazine in 1923

Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, millions of Italians migrated to the United States. In 1891, a mob—including a future governor of Louisiana and a future mayor—stormed a prison in New Orleans, dragged out eleven Italian-Americans, and lynched them.  A diplomatic crisis ensued. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation to establish the first national celebration of Columbus Day. Sprinkle in the mix so-called “scientific” racism, the Sacco and Vanzetti case, The Godfather movies, The Sopranos’ episode about Columbus Day, Italians somehow “becoming” white over time, and much more. This episode is quite a ride. Buckle up.

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