Farmingdale State College Oral History Projects
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Item MLG 201 Oral History Project (Fall 2022)(2022-12-03) Vieira, AlexandraFor my Italian Oral History Project, I decided to interview a family-friend and her name is Genna Plumitallo. We spoke a lot about what her Italian heritage means to her and what it is like for her to grow up in The United States with her grandparents who were born and raised in Italy and came to this country many years ago. We had an open and interesting conversation regarding what it means to her that her grandparents left all that they knew in order to enter a new environment to give their children a better life. In addition, it led us to discuss the meaning of identity and how it is very much possible to strongly identify with a culture of a country that she didn’t grow up in. Moreover, Genna’s Italian and American identity are made up of many aspects that she deems important and necessary in her growth and who she is today. She verbalized the importance of her family traditions and the various Italian meals that are made on Sundays, in honor of her grandparents. Not only this, but because her family was also very much American, they found a middle ground where they would bring cultures from both sides to establish a connection that Genna felt made her unique. All in all, in this interview, Genna expressed and showed me a vulnerable side of herself and her family that she wouldn’t change for the world.Item MLG 201 Oral History Project (Fall 2022)(2022-12-05) ramkissoon, chelseyAbstract Chelsey Ramkissoon In the interview, we (me and my friend) spoke about her upbringing and the background of her family. First, I asked about her life and activities. She still works in Starbucks and is currently pursuing a liberal arts degree. We then spoke about her parents and where they are from. In Crema, a small town in Italy, her father was a butcher and her mother was unemployed. Her family moved to the US to follow her uncle (Fathers brother) where he would have a job that's better pay and better opportunities in the US. Isabella grew up in the city, Brooklyn, and then talked about the cuisine she would grow up eating. Her and her mother made Italian traditional cuisine, and eat out on occasion, which in their house eating out is a luxury, even if it's Chinese food. Food is a huge part of her family, as it connects one another. Her mother is currently teaching her how to make traditional Italian food and is helping out in the kitchen. The most meaningful life moment she had was going back to Italy and seeing her family again and seeing the countryside.Item MLG 201 Oral History Project (Fall 2022)(Modern Languages Department, Farmingdale State College, 2022-12-05) Parisette, VictoriaThe culture, architecture, and art of Italy have influenced people all around the world. Interviews are a good framework for family history research. It's vital to understand your origins, honor family traditions, value your culture, and learn more about your ancestors. Additionally, it could increase your sense of individuality and belonging. The interview for my Oral History Project is about my family's history. The knowledge of our family's past, as well as my mother's traditions, uniqueness, and aspirations for the future, are the main topics of this conversation. My mother, Angela Parisette, works as a police officer in New York City. Regarding the background, Laura, her grandmother, immigrated to America from Italy via Ellis Island. Grandma Laura, who was living the "American Dream," had an apartment in New York City. To Laura's mother and siblings, the American Dream meant seizing new opportunities, earning money, and progressing. The ultimate purpose of the Oral History Project interviews is to gain an understanding of what life is really like for Italians and Italian Americans.Item MLG 201 Oral History Project (Fall 2022)(Modern Languages Department, Farmingdale State College, 2022-12-05) Kennedy, ThomasThis interview focuses on the perspective of the Italian American Gaetano Sofia. Gaetano Sofia was born in Brooklyn in 1934. His father was born in Sicily and his mother was born in New York. Gaetano has two daughters and four grandchildren, one of whom includes me. I decided to pick my grandfather for the interview because I thought it would be interesting to know more about my great-grandfather’s journey to America while being able to ask my grandfather more personal questions about his perspective of being an Italian American. All the questions were categorized into three parts. First, I asked about basic biographical data such as his educational background and his parents. I then asked questions focusing on his father’s migration and settlement into the United States. Gaetano said before the interview that his father would rarely talk about his hardship in America, but the little things that he told the family stuck. In the last part of the interview, I asked questions that consisted of identity, traditions, and food. I had to leave a few questions out from this part since he felt a few of the questions seemed outlandish. Overall, this interview displays Gaetano’s love for family tradition and macaroni. I found it fascinating and impactful the hard work and dedication his father had once he come to America. The determination my great-grandfather had to migrate to the U.S. and to achieve a better life for himself and his family is what gave my grandfather his pride in not only being American but Italian American.Item MLG 201 Oral History Project (Fall 2022)(Modern language Department, Farmingdale State Collage, 2022-12-05) Iorizzo, CraigThis interview covered information about Adelgisa and her family. We spoke about topics that discussed her heritage, upbringings, and even her dreams. The first set of questions were basic Biographical. Data Part II asked about Migration and Settlement of the Original Immigrant Generation. Part III asked about things such as Identity, Traditions, Food, and the Future. Central questions addressed her siblings, family, and traditions in her life. This is where she provided the most information. One thing I already knew, thanks to the class I am taking, is the answers to why did your parents move here? Adelgisa answers quickly, talking about how her father wants a better life for his kids. This seems to be a common theme throughout the class and what we spoke about during Deliza readings. The goal of this interview was to learn about Adelgisa’s life and about Italian heritage along with culture. This is worth mentioning so we can further understand concepts covered in class and connect them to people today. The method I used in this interview was to talk slowly and clearly. I wanted to take my time and to ensure I understood the questions I printed them out as well and I read them over. The main findings of this interview was life after arriving in America. Adelgisa shares many of the real struggles she faces like housing, and getting a job. In addition to this there was a lot about family and traditions. It was seen Adelgisa’s upbringings impact the traditions she practices today. Overall, the significance of this interview was to allow for deeper understanding of Italian culture and tie the Italian cuisine learned in class to explain how important they all are to an individual.