[Arc]

I think part of it stems from the fact that both the Irish and Italians (as well as many other immigrants since) tended to live in close-knit neighborhoods, which created pockets for ‘their own kind.’ As you know from living in Philly, these neighborhood identities still remain in many places. Stereotypes and feelings about other people can last just as long, whether they are warranted or even understood.

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[Dawn25933]

I find this interesting. I’m originally from the West and had no idea these things existed. I am Irish/Italian. My Irish grandmother married my Italian grandfather in Philly, a long time ago. I haven’t found many Irish/Italians out West. Everyone is pretty intermingled and you don’t have the pockets like you do in the East.

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Name : Dawn25933, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Baptist, Age : 32, City : Atlanta, State : GA, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[l]

if you ever find out i’d love to know. I am Irish and Italian as well, but on top of that I am part Native American but mostly caucasian, so I feel like I have to overlook offensive remarks cuz I don’t know what I can do to change it. People need to get over whatever has happened in the past and realize that someone from my generation (no matter what race) has not negatively contributed to their ethnic history. Like It’s all about love people…

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Name : l, City : newyork, State : NY, Country : United States, 

[Kelly26580]

I too have never heard of any such hatred! First off, hate is a rather powerful word to be used so generally. Second, I am Irish and I have many Italian friends and many Italians that aren’t exactly my friends. The reasons we are or are not friends has nothing to do with ethnicity; it simply comes down to the fact that some personalities do not mend well with others. It could be the fact that there is the Irish temper or whatever else you want to blame it on within a culture, but I don’t think that it comes down to the two ethnicities not liking eachother.

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[Dave26033]

Over a hundred years ago, I think part of it was that both groups were mostly relatively recently arrived in the US, and both were looked down upon by English, French, and probably some others, and Irish and Italians each wanted the other to be at the very bottom–they competed for jobs etc. Irish wanted to believe, and to have society at large believe, they were better than Italians. And Italians wanted the reverse. Today I don’t think it’s much of an issue. I am probably more Irish than anything else, but also very substantially German, French, English, Scottish, and Spanish. I think most Caucasians today pretty much see European as European, period. Sure, the Deutsches Haus still has Oktoberfest, and the Irish clubs parade on St. Patrick’s Day, etc., but these are more about socializing than about stongly-held notions about the importance of national origin.

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[Mary-B]

I noticed that you are from Phila. I would venture to guess that it is South Phils. because that is where the Irish vs. Italians is most noticed. I believe it came about when at the turn of the 20th Century the Italians immigrated to that part of the city. Many are still there as are many businesses, i.e. the Italian market. Then, later, the Irish immigrated and settled in South Phila. also and the Italians resented it. As has been the case in our history, the latest immigrant group starts out here by being considered the lowest on the cultural and ecomomic ladder. Apparently, the resentment carried on by both sides has lived on in that city. I have traveled this country quite a bit and have not noticed it elsewhere. I hope this helps you understand the situation.

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[Monty]

It very well be part of the long ago immigration patterns in your area. I teach in a small city, and 50 years ago, the biggest arguments were between Swedes and Italians. They werent allowed to marry each other, or even spend time together. It was very similar to the issues between many immigrant groups that feel threatened by new groups coming into their area

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[Kim Ellis]

WOW!! Only ever heard the oposite. I dated mostly Italian boys before marrying my Irish husban and his first wife was Italian. My best friend is Irish/Italian although we both consider her ‘more Italian’ because her Italian family was more of an influence in her upbringing. I am Scotch/Irish but more Irish for the same reason. My teenage daughter(Irish)has two favorite t-shirts one says ‘everyone loves an Irish girl’ and the other ‘I luv Italian Boys’. Hmmmm

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[Gary-OBanion32493]

I am an Irish-American whose ancestors immigrated here in the late 1800’s. Many of them couldn’t find legitimate employment after they arrived. So, in order to survive they migrated to Chicago and turned to organized crime. Operating illegal gambling saloons, bootlegging alcohol, or both, was the only way they could, at least in their minds, support their families. Many of the Italians had to do the same thing. In early ’20s Chicago there was a lot of gang warfare activity between the Irish and Italians. I’m sure you’ve heard of the St. Valentines Day Massacre. They had to kill or be killed to maintain their livelihood. You Know: “There’s not enough room in this town for the both of us”. That’s the only reason I could attribute to any animosity between the Irish and the Italians. We Irish can hold one hell of a grudge, but that was along time ago.

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[Ashley]

I’ve never heard of Irish against Italians if anything it’s good to date a good looking Italian guy who’s also Catholic(I’m mainly Irish descent..)but maybe it’s just you. No offence but maybe you and your friends have a bad reputation as law breakers or something and it has nothing to do with being Italian though I’ve heard of Italians always undercutting each other when they first got here instead of helping each other out over others like the Irish but that was a long time ago…

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[bc]

i dont think thats true.i am italian and my 2 best friends are irish.i think its more of a love hate thing.watch boonedock saints

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[Rhea28905]

I kinda understand your quietion, I am italian and my husband is irish. His family are very accepting of me but they told me stories of there ancenstors and how the italian mafia killed there people. Maybe that has something to do with it. But Im not the only italian that married into there family, my husbands Aunt married a italian man and have a Irish/italian son. and my children will be Irish italian mixed also. The only thing im concerned about is my future childs temper. LoL irish and italians are known to have bad tempers.

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[TimB]

Did you ever watch the movie “Gangs of New York”? When the immigrants from these countries arrived in the USA, they ended up fighting each other for means of survival. There was an Italian mob, and there was an Irish mob, and the funny thing is – the Irish mob was much more violent. I was always told that the Irish immigrants got into politics and the police force. But that is where it comes from. Actually, I thought that was over but a friend who grew up in Pennsylvania told me that when he was growing up during the late 60’s and early 70’s – there was still a lot of animosity between people of Irish and Italian descent.

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