L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 10 Dear Readers, "Grazie" to my South Bay friend Ken Borelli, author, presi- dent emeritus and longtime cul- tural chair of the Italian American Heritage Foundation (I.A.H.F.) based in San Jose, California (425 No. 4th St., 95112. Tel. 408-293-7122), I can share with you this fascinating glimpse into a very vibrant South Bay Italian American community as seen via the pages of the Italian Crusader published there in the 1930's. A lot has happened to the Italian American commu- nity over the years, but the news- paper is a timely reminder that activism is not just a current event, and that many of the arti- cles reflected the aspirations and politics of the time...San Jose style. Ken notes that this rare time capsule, of San Jose's rich Italian American past, emerged thanks to Joe Catania and his sister, who found copies of The Italo-Americano Crusaders Commentator among their late father's documents. With themes such as "Mr. Citizen, Let Us Unite" and "Italo Americans Awaken!" the ideas expressed are just as timely today as in the 1930's. The Italo-American Crusaders COMMENTA- TOR Vol. 1 April, 1938 No. 1 Mr. CITIZEN, LET US UNITE Throughout America a move- ment for political education has been started. The great American franchise, a franchise that gives you the right to vote, bought with blood, the effort and the time of our forefathers has been misused and selfishly taken advantage of. Mr. Citizen, you are one of the many guardians of the destiny of our country. I accuse you, sir, of sleeping at your post. Political indiffer- ence encourages the growth of such machines as Tammany Hall, the Huey Long machine and machines of lesser fame through- out the country. Mr. Citizen, is our indifference too great or our intelligence so limited that we fail to notice the downward, tumbling trend of democracy? *** A reading highlights a well put together newsletter. It is a direct and organized newsletter wanting to recruit Italo Americans to be a part of the decision making process in San Jose, as well as uniting as a com- munity for the political better- ment of the interest of Italian Americans. In many ways the message is as relevant today as in those years, but the stakes in 1938 were probably a lot higher and tougher. A Google search of 1937-38 nationally and inter- nationally, put Italy in the news associated with Hitler acting in Germany as a "Hitler and Mussolini" duo, with Hitler act- ing in Poland and eastern Europe while Italy consolidated its invasion in Ethiopia and Albania. Both countries at the time were also involved in the Spanish Civil War supporting the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. On the home front the USA was still trying to dig its way out of the great depression, working on jobs, and fighting attacks on the "New Deal". It was a very politi- cally divisive time, similar to today's political controver- sies. Within this political arena, and locally, a group of "young" Italian Americans felt the need to organize the Italian American community as a political party in the community. And they did not mince words about their focus. They appealed to individual action, and not being connected to "machine politics" but to vote for their interest. They also called for being an educated voter, and getting over apathy or any alien- ation. These were their organiz- ing points and it seemed direct and non partisan if sketchy on programs. San Jose, at the time, in 1936, incorporated Willow Glen as part of the city, and there was still fall out from the 1933 lynching in St. James Park. Approximately four years later, San Jose and the Nation found itself at war with Germany, Italy and Japan. The issue of enemy alienship was a concern in our community, and young Italian Americans were enlisting in mass into the armed forces, making one of the largest contribution to the World War II effort. It's no wonder the Italo-American Crusaders Commentator went its way. Even so, there certainly is a tale still to be told about his aspirations and dreams, of which are still with us today. *** The Crusaders staff included Joseph Catania Jr., Dominic Navarra, and Vince Barone. Officers included Dominic Navarra, John Orlando, August Azzarello, Vincent Barone and Sal Turturicci. Fascinating too, were the ads in the newsletter which included S. Dorsa of Hyde Park Meat Market, I Piazza of the Breakers, Barone's Service Station, Benny Laviano's shoe shop, Pete's Barber Shop, Ruiz's Shoe Store, Louis Gaitto's Garden City Window Shade Co., Anthony Campagna's Moderne Drug Co., Margalati's Market, Gus's Place, and finally Chiaramonte's Market. The IAHF "Cena Fuori" in March was at Chiaramonte's; the only establishment still left of the advertisers, and one of the oldest continually run family markets in the U.S.A. Salvatore Chiaramonte immigrated from Trabia, province of Palermo and opened his market in 1908. His great-grandsons carry on. The Italo-American Crusaders met at Crucifix Hall at 9th and Jackson Streets in San Jose, and most of the ads came from the 13th Street and Holy Cross neighborhood. Up to quite recently the most vibrant part of the Italian American community, and still fondly referred to as "the old neighborhood". Ken assures me that it is well worth a visit to Chiaramonte's Deli, at 609 North Thirteenth Street, in San Jose, for authentic sausages, foods and "atmosphere" that has continued to serve satisfied cus- tomers for over 100 years. *** The Italian American Heritage Foundation's 34th Annual Italian Family Festa will be held August 23 and 24, 2014. Saturday 11am-8pm Sunday 11am-6pm Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, CA (between Santa Clara and Julian Streets). For more info: I.A.H.F. (408) 293-7122 or www.italianfami- lyfestasj.org *** I.A.H.F. Cultural Chair, Ken Borelli informed me that Adrian Nestor, the project "visionary" of the "Save the Romaggi Adobe Foundation" that I wrote about earlier this year, will be speaking at the IAHF's Italian Festa,August 23- 24, at the Cultural Tent, and an exhibition will also be displayed about this historic structure, and the Romaggi Family from Liguria. You can check out the information at italianfamilyfes- tasj.org, or contact Ken at the IAHF, iahfsj.org. The Romaggi Adobe was built in 1852 by James Romaggi, after striking it rich in the mother lode area near Angel's Camp in the gold fields of California. I hope all our Italian-American organizations, especially the Liguri Nel Mondo groups will enthusiastically sup- port the restoration of the Romaggi Adobe. Visit http://www.save-romaggi- adobe.com/ ***

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