Second-generation attitude? African-Italians in Milan

Abstract

This article examines the emergence of the second generation in Italy. It draws on in-depth interviews with young African-Italians in Milan, concentrating on issues of citizenship and belonging. It is argued that being black and being Italian are still seen as mutually exclusive categories in Italy. Moreover, the subject of the second generation continues to be marginalised within the broader framework of the contemporary immigration debate in Italy. In Milan, a generally hostile political environment, incidents of everyday racism and, in many cases, blatant discrimination, can be seen to have contributed to young African-Italians' propensity to identify with the wider black diaspora and to articulate a desire to seek better opportunities beyond Italy.