Setbacks along the East Coast
The way other races were treated along the Southern Belt and East Coast also shed light on the bleak outlook Italian Americans would have as they lived there. Like we mentioned before, the “white on arrival” status was merely in name, because the way Italian Americans had been treated was not much better than African Americans, with the difference being marginal. In the South, African Americans were at the bottom of the totem pole in regards to labor in areas like plantations near New Orleans whereas Italian Americans fit a need of the labor force that resulted in a give and take relationship between the plantation owners and them. Modern day lynchings, racism, and a lack of opportunity kept throwing fuel on the fire that was Italian American acceptance in education. From everything that had been thrown their way, Italian Americans could simply not continue as is, even in what should have been an even playing field in the education system. The lack of confidence and cultural acceptance was astonishing, especially for the solid start that Italian Americans had once they established themselves in the United States. Something needed to be done, and Italian Americans frankly had to be the change they seeked, otherwise nothing would get done over the course of history. Simply put, they did that and then some as they packed their bags and migrated West.
