[Jennifer B.]

I am half Sicilian and have heard that part of my family demean and alienate black people all my life. I asked my father once why this was, and he stated that a long time ago the Moors conquered Sicily, and Italians' animosity toward black people never went away. I do not think any of my current Sicilian family has any idea why they are supposed to 'hate' blacks. I was not raised that way, but they perpetuate the stereotype they have heard all their lives. Not all Italians hate blacks, and not all blacks hate whites, but my family hates anyone who is not obviously white or Sicilian/Italian. And yes, I have been to Boston, New York, Cleveland and San Diego's 'Little Italys,' and it is definitely known that black people are not allowed in these neighborhoods. Just as I believe black people of the modern generation should not hold grudges toward their contemporaries for the slave era, I do not hold a grudge against the Moors. They both were devastating parts of history, and we should now be in an era in which the hatred ends and the stereotypes cease to be perpetuated, and we realize we are all made the same inside. Our ancestors should be worshipped and remembered for all they have endured, but I am not responsible for what happened anymore than the German, black or Japanese person sitting next to me is. It's really sad.

User Detail :  

Name : Jennifer B., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Humanist, Age : 25, City : Cleveland, State : OH Country : United States, Occupation : Child Care Worker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Jennifer B.]

in response to simone, yes, it has been my experience that italian men still view having relationships with black women as taboo. i am white, my father is sicilian and my mother is a european mix of british and dutch. i was not raised prejudiced, but my cousins, who are full bred sicilian were. my male cousins think all black people are inferior and will say so around you (in another language of course). i have been ridiculed several times by them about dating out of our race. my extended family is under the impression that they can only marry 'pure' white or italian/sicilian women, or ones that they can bring home. my theory with these type of men is that it is similar to the slave era when black people were thought to be exotic and only sexual creatures, so of course these type of relationships were/are accpetable, to people of prejudice. it's all stereotype and limited information. i do not agree with my family, and i am not very close to them because of this. i can try and ask my one male cousin who is 23 and try and get his answer about this specific question.

User Detail :  

Name : Jennifer B., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Humanist, Age : 25, City : Cleveland, State : OH Country : United States, Occupation : Child Care Worker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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