April 22

San Lorenzo Market. Have you ever been watching a movie where there is some persistent image or theme that keeps coming up that relates perfectly to the characters' lives, but it goes unbeknownst to the character? I can't be the only one that has had that moment of wanting to yell, "It's right in front of you!" Anyways, I've always wondered if there is divine symbolism within our own lives, too, but we are too wrapped up in the immediacy to notice. Let me explain. Today in my literature class, we read a number of short memoirs by immigrants living in Italy. We went on to discuss immigration and how the "others" are perceived within Italian society. It is no secret that the Italians are strongly tied to their heritage and often view change as a threat to their rich culture. Immigration, really first beginning in the 1980s from Northern Africa, is a new, somewhat frightening phenomenon to the Italians. Our landlord made it abundantly clear that no overnight guests of any kind are allowed in the apartment. This is a federal law, designed to crack down on people that house illegal immigrants. Most immigrants work the jobs you would expect. Many are street vendors, janitorial staff, food stand owners, or kitchen staff at restaurants. I have sensed how uncomfortable (I am struggling with word choice and remaining somewhat politically correct) Italians are around immigrants and foreigners. I have had professors stretch the corners of their eyes to refer to Asian people and had the most professional of tour guides stop to say how unsightly he found German women. Racism, though prevalent in every society, is very pronounced here because I sense there is no shame in harboring these feelings. Back to symbolism in our own lives. While walking home from literature, thinking of our discussion, I witnessed a yelling match between a group of African purse vendors and Italian leather vendors occurring in San Lorenzo.  Would you imagine that. What timing. It was uncomfortable--people were staring and other men were trying to forcibly separate the groups. I wasn't sure what their fighting words were, but I am confident that the argument would have been very different had it been between two Italian vendors. There you have it: the movie of my life. At least I noticed the connection!