European migration to the United States has long been narrated through success stories of integration and upward mobility. However, these narratives often overlook the complex social and racial environments in which European migrants settled, particularly in the American South. In this region, rigid racial hierarchies and segregation shaped everyday life well into the twentieth century, profoundly influencing how migrant communities understood themselves and were perceived by others. Within this context, Italian migrants occupied an ambiguous position: legally classified as white, yet frequently exposed to racial suspicion, exclusion and violence.
The project A Darker Shade of Whiteness (DaShoW) addresses this gap by investigating how Italian migrant communities in the southern United States negotiated race, identity and belonging between the late nineteenth and mid-twentieth centuries. Its central focus is the Italian-language ethnic press, a largely underexplored body of sources that functioned not only as a means of communication, but also as a powerful space of education, cultural mediation and political socialisation. Through newspapers, Italian migrants debated citizenship, labour, morality, education and racial boundaries, actively shaping their collective self-representation within a segregated society.
The project responds to a broader need — both scholarly and societal — to understand how ideas of race and “whiteness” are historically constructed, transmitted and contested. By examining migrant newspapers produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee and neighbouring areas, DaShoW sheds light on how European migrants learned to navigate racial regimes and how transnational cultural practices interacted with local social orders. This perspective is particularly relevant in today’s political context, where debates on migration, identity and inclusion continue to shape public discourse in Europe and beyond.
The overall objectives of the project are threefold. First, it aims to recover, digitise and make openly accessible Italian-language newspapers from the American South, many of which were previously difficult or impossible to consult. Second, it seeks to analyse these sources to understand how language, education and cultural narratives contributed to the making of racial awareness and ethnic identity among Italian migrants. Third, it translates scholarly findings into public-facing formats - digital exhibitions, podcasts, and public-history initiatives - so that research results can reach audiences beyond academia.
Social sciences and humanities play a central role in the project. Historical analysis, cultural studies, migration history and the history of education are combined with digital humanities and public history to interpret complex social phenomena and communicate them effectively. By linking archival research with digital tools and community engagement, DaShoW demonstrates how humanities-based research can contribute meaningfully to contemporary discussions on diversity, heritage and social cohesion.
Ultimately, the project aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of European migration histories and their long-term social consequences, highlighting how past experiences of inclusion and exclusion continue to resonate in present-day debates.
