Italian American Culture: Dominic Candeloro

Witness a riveting journey back in time as we shed light on the incredible saga of Italian-American immigration. In an engaging tête-à-tête with Dominic Candeloro, a scholar of Italian American history and culture, we dive deep into this often untold tale. Drawing from the fascinating narrative of Candeloro’s own father, an illegal immigrant who fought tooth and nail to gain citizenship during World War II, we piece together the profound impact of the war on the Italian American community and their subsequent integration into American society. 

Growing up Italian American post-World War II was a unique experience, one that’s brought to life by Candeloro. We challenge the misconceptions of Italy as a war-torn and impoverished nation, and shed light on how these misconceptions played a role in influencing Italian American pride. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as we discuss the shift in scholarship in the 1960s, leading to the formation of the American Italian Historical Association and a newfound appreciation for cultural continuity. Candeloro’s unexpected journey to becoming a passionate advocate for Italian American culture serves as an inspiring beacon for future generations.

Preserving Italian American family history is no easy task, but one that carries immense significance, as Candeloro emphasizes. In an era where younger generations risk severing ties with their Italian roots due to immigration challenges and a lack of media representation, Candeloro offers a ray of hope. He advocates for documenting personal stories and upholding Italian traditions as tangible links to the past. Tune in to our conversation as we celebrate the joy of tracing Italian American ancestry and explore the profound impact of discovering distant relatives. Embrace the importance of recognizing and preserving ethnic identity in American history and culture. This is a journey you wouldn’t want to miss.

Dominic Candeloro has been involved in Italian American studies for the past 50 plus years. He is the author of several books on the Italians in Chicago and served as Historical Consultant in the production of “And They Came to Chicago: The Italian American Legacy.”

Candeloro was born in Chicago Heights and grew up in an Italian neighborhood, “The Hill.” He holds a PhD from the University of Illinois and has taught History at UIC, UIUC, and Governors State University. He was honored with the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award by the Illinois Humanities Council in 1999 for his efforts in documenting and interpreting Italian American culture.