Stereotypes of Italians in the Early 20th Century
From 1897 until 1930, Sisters of Charity Blandina and Justina Segale founded and operated the Santa Maria Institute, a social organization serving Italians in Cincinnati. They were well-aware of prejudices against Italians and sought to show that italian culture and American political values could reinforce each other. This is one entry from Sister Justina’s journal of events at the Santa Maria. It occurred during Prohibition, when the sale and transportation of alcohol was banned by the 18th Amendment. Church institutions had an exemption for communion wine.
May 18, 1923
Tuesday, Sister Euphrasia, who is the Sacristan of the chapel, remarked that if Mr. Stetter did not attend to the order we sent in for altar wine, we would not have enough to last. Prof. Di Gerolamo said: “Don’t worry, Mr. Cimagli makes pure wine. I will bring you some if Mr. Stetter does not send it in time.”
That same day, the Professor who makes his home with Mr. Cimaglia’s family, took our auto home with him, got a jug of wine from Mr. Cimaglia to bring to us, at the same time bringing a bundle of clothes from Mrs. Cimaglia to give to the poor.
The Professor attends to the Americanization Night School. To save time, he placed the auto with its contents into the garage. He left his papers, list of pupils names, etc. in the auto.
Next morning a reporter from the “Post” [newspaper] came for information. “We have an article for the “Post” but I came to see if I could get positive information from you,” It turned out that some one stole our auto—a Ford—and then abandoned it on Eighth [Street] near Mound. The policeman watched it to catch whoever should come for it, for it was evident the auto was a stolen one. No one came for it, so it was taken to police headquarters and contents examined.
The following sensational story was involved: “An auto, abandoned was found on Eighth Street, Letters addressed to Prof. Di Gerolamo, and names of many Italian men and women, a jug of wine and men’s and women’s clothes strewn around indicate that a party had had a joy ride. The auto belongs to the Santa Maria Institute. It appears that these prominent Italian citizens are implicated in this nocturnal ride.”
Sister Blandina explained to the reporter just what it was. We did not know the auto had been stolen, the wine was for the altar; the clothes for the poor, the names were those of his pupils. . . . The whole matter is a mystery. Now they arrested the Professor for having wine. Mr. Cimaglia had a permit to make wine, but he destroyed it as he did not intend to use it anymore.
A strange thing is that such a commotion is made over the jug of wine which so innocently found itself in trouble, and not a word about the stolen auto and the thief that stole it. Prof. Di Gerolamo never drank liquor even before prohibition, and certainly not now, and yet circumstantial evidence would prove him guilty of several crimes of which he is completely innocent. The Professor’s unblemished reputation should save him from such unworthy attacks.
After the reporter learned the truth he hastened to the ‘phone and called up the “Post.” “Hold that story till I return,” he called out. The sensational story did not appear. However, the mystery of the robber still remains.
Questions to Think About and Discuss
- This entry in Sister Justina’s journal contains two explanations of the abandoned automobile. How are the facts different in the two accounts?
- How does the interpretation of the “Post” reporter before talking to Sister Blandina illustrate public attitudes toward Italian immigrants in the early twentieth century?
- What would you have felt like if you had been an Italian at that time?
