The first interview was held on February 17, 2014 at Caffé Vittoria in the North End with a very kind individual named Domenic Campochiaro. Mr. Campochiaro is the current president of the order of the Sons of Italy in Boston. He has served as president for twelve years. What was very unique about Mr. Campochiaro's interview is how he was able to share with us the personal story of his father immigrating to America from Italy to Ellis Island and then from there moving to Boston. He also shared with us his family's hardships growing up during the time of the depression when he was very young. Mr. Campochiaro expressed how his dream of being a baseball player was short-lived when he had to drop out of school in ninth grade to learn his trade as an electrician. Mr. Campochiaro also acknowledged how through hard work he is able to care for others whether it comes from volunteering or helping out with working hands. Despite hardships he faced throughout his lifetime Mr. Campochiaro will never regret or disrespect any event he has come across because he will always work with what he has and will always be appreciative of what he receives.
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"No One gives you nothing for nothing, you have to work for it"-Domenic Campochiaro
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Our second interview was held at the University of Massachusetts in Boston on February 18, 2014. We met with Dr. Vincent Cannato, a professor who talked with us about the history of Italian immigration in the North End and how it has, and still affects Italians that live in Boston today. At one point during our interview, the professor used the term "birds of passage" to describe immigrants who come to the U.S, specifically Boston, that tend to move there for work and labor. Then, return to their home in Italy, having made more money than they were originally making before they had moved. He also mentioned that during the early 1900's the Italians that had moved to the North End began to be an influence on the Irish that were already living and working there. Most Italians that end up immigrating to the Boston North End, come from the southern areas of Italy and the area of Sicily, at the time those areas were considered the poorest regions of the country, therefore making it a strong origin for the influx of Italians.
"God Honors the Humble and poor"
-Father Claude Scrima
Photo of Father Claude Scrima at Feast of Madonna Della Cava.
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Our final interview was conducted at St. Leonard’s Church with father Claude Scrima on the 18th of February, 2014. Father Scrima was very informative when describing the cultural conflicts between the Irish and the Italians within the North End of Boston. He also shared us how family oriented the North End was when he was growing up as a little boy living in the community. He shared with us his story of priesthood and how he knew that he wanted to be a priest ever since he was 15 years old. Father Scrima informed us he made the decision when he was very young because of all the influence the church had on the community. Throughout the informative meeting Father Scrima shared much information about secret societies and when they were formed during times of discrimination against Italians. Father Scrima shared with us how he is ever so grateful that times have changed and that the Italian community of the North End faces fewer hardships than at the time of his childhood.
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