Sport and the Shaping of Italian-American Identity

by Gerald R. Gems

Overview

Gems traces the experience of the Italian immigrant and illustrates the ways in which sports helped Italian-Americans adapt to a new culture, assert pride in an ethnic identity, and even achieve social advancement. Employing historical, sociological, and anthropological studies, Gems explores how sports were instrumental in helping notions of identity evolve from the individual to the community, from the racial to the ethnic. In doing so, Sport and the Shaping of Italian-American Identity transcends the study of a particular ethnic group to speak to foundational values and characteristics of the American ethos.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780815652540
Publisher:	Syracuse University Press
Publication date:	12/16/2013
Series:	Sports and Entertainment
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Gerald R. Gems is professor in the Health and Physical Education Department at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. He is the author of numerous books, including The Athletic Crusade: Sport and American Cultural Imperialism.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

1 The Lack of Identity 1

2 Constructing an Italian Identity 22

3 Winning Whiteness 55

4 The Emergence of Sport as a Cultural Force 102

5 Hyphenated Americans 141

6 The Resurgence of Ethnicity 179

Appendix A Italian-American Boxers, King Magazine Rankings, 1924-39 221

Appendix B Average Annual Employment Rates at CUNY by Race and Ethnicity 223

Notes 225

Bibliography 275

Index 303

Editorial Reviews

Gems reminds readers that there are Italian Americans participating at the highest levels in all facets of American life, including sports, and there is quite probably one who will reprise DiMaggio's role of iconic American hero with strong ties to his or her Italian-American family, community, and culture.

Journal of American Culture

This excellent book is fascinating and well written, and it will be of great interest to historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and, of course, specialists in the history of sport.

Journal of Sport History

The value of Gems' book is that it can teach its reader so much on so many different levels, from learning about the plight of Italian-Americans in the United States to the vicissitudes of popular culture and ultimately sport's participation in both. . . . This book is an enriching study of how sport has shaped and continues to shape our understanding of our lives and of both our individual and communal identities.

Aethlon: The Journal of Sport Literature

Gerald Gems reminds readers that there are Italian Americans participating at the highest levels in all facets of American life, including sports, and there is quite probably one who will reprise DiMaggio's role of iconic American hero with strong ties to his or her Italian-American family, community, and culture.

Journal of American Culture - Jim Charles University of South Carolina Upstate

This excellent book is fascinating and well written, and it will be of great interest to historians, anthropologists, sociologists, and, of course, specialists in the history of sport.

Journal of Sport History - Gigliola Gori

"The value of Gems' book is that it can teach its reader so much on so many different levels, from learning about the plight of Italian-Americans in the United States to the vicissitudes of popular culture and ultimately sport's participation in both....this book is an enriching study of how sport has shaped and continues to shape our understanding of our lives and of both our individual and communal identities."

AETHLON: The Journal of Sport Literature

The value of Gems' book is that it can teach its reader so much on so many different levels, from learning about the plight of Italian-Americans in the United States to the vicissitudes of popular culture and ultimately sport's participation in both..this book is an enriching study of how sport has shaped and continues to shape our understanding of our lives and of both our individual and communal identities.

AETHLON: The Journal of Sport Literature - Duncan R. Jamieson