Welcome to A Darker Shade of Whiteness (DaShoW), a project funded under the European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship Programme. DaShoW explores the rich history of Italian immigration and racial dynamics in the Gulf South of the United States, with a focus on New Orleans, Louisiana and the Italian language newspapers published in the Crescent City, nearby parishes and states, including Alabama and Tennessee. Our mission is to shed light on how Italian immigrants negotiated their racial identity and culturally re-territorialized and positioned in the complex racial landscape characterizing the Jim Crow US South between 1877 and 1945—a period marked by significant social and political changes following the Reconstruction era and leading up to the early civil rights movement.
We aim to illuminate the ways in which Italian-language newspapers like La Voce Coloniale (circa 1881–1955) and L’Italo-Americano (circa 1884–1920) played a crucial role in shaping the cultural identity and racial positioning of Italian immigrant communities. By studying these rare and understudied periodicals, we explore how Italian immigrants asserted and defended their identity within one of the largest Italian diasporic communities in the U.S.
Adopting an interdisciplinary methodology, we combine textual and discourse analysis, cultural and legal history, and the history of criminology. Our project not only preserves historical documents but also provides critical insights into the construction of racial identities and the interplay between race and immigration.
Dr. Matteo Brera is the lead researcher and principal investigator of this project. Recently awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellowship from the European Commission, Dr. Brera brings extensive expertise in Italian cultural history and diaspora studies. The project is carried out under the scientific supervision of Professor Stefano Luconi at the University of Padova and Professor William J. Connell at Seton Hall University, two leading scholars in Italian American Studies.
Dr. Brera’s research focuses on the Italian immigrant experience in the Southern United States, particularly examining how Italian communities navigated issues of race and identity in the Gulf South. His notable works include the monograph Novecento all’Indice. Gabriele d’Annunzio, i libri proibiti e i rapporti Stato-Chiesa all’ombra del Concordato (2016), which received critical acclaim in both academic and public spheres.
With a commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, Dr. Brera combines textual analysis, cultural history, and digital humanities to shed light on underrepresented narratives. His current project aims to digitize rare Italian-language newspapers from New Orleans, creating accessible resources for researchers, educators, and the broader community.
Understanding the historical experiences of Italian immigrants in the Gulf South offers valuable perspectives on contemporary issues of race, immigration, and identity. By bringing these narratives to light, we contribute to ongoing discussions about racism, cultural preservation, and the complexities of diasporic communities.
We invite scholars, students, and community members to engage with our project. Whether you’re interested in exploring our digital archives, participating in our interactive exhibition, or contributing your own stories, your involvement is welcome and valued.
For more information or to participate in our initiatives, please reach out to us via our Contact page.
