New York City borough tops list of places with Italian-Amerians

The National Italian American Foundation broke out the counties with significant percentages of Italian-Americans. The highest is Richmond County, New York. Otherwise known as Staten Island. Connect to this link for a look at other counties.

Nixon's ethnic diatribes

The Watergate Scandal wasn't President Nixon's only example of poor judgement. A newly released batch of tapes from the Nixon libraries reveal disparaging remarks President Nixon made in reference to Blacks, Jews, Irish-Americans, and Italian-Americans. The tapes were made in February and March 1973, and recorded conversations between Nixon and his top aides and personal secretary.

Nixon's rants stooped to the lowest of ethnic stereotypes. He took shots at the Irish as drinkers, Italians as hot tempered, and Jews as obnoxious. Surprising is the disinterest on the plight of Soviet Jews of not only Nixon, but also his German- Jewish National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger.

A look at New Haven's Wooster Square

Many cities across America have their own "Little Italy" districts. These neighborhoods have experienced profound demographic changes as Italian-Americans migrated from the central city to the suburbs. While some are now mere memories in history, others remain alive as tourist districts, featuring Italian restaurants, bakeries and cafes. In New Haven that neighborhood is Wooster Square.

Wooster Street Arch

Italians first began moving to the area in the late 1800's, many hailing from Italy's Amalfi coast. The neighborhood was almost sacrificed to misguided urban renewal efforts in the 1950's and 60's by planners who saw more value in a highway versus a cohesive, walkable neighborhood. However city preservationists stepped in, and Wooster Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Demographics have changed somewhat since then. Yet the Italian flavor remains, and the neighborhood is one of the more stable residential areas in a somewhat downtrodden city.

Wooster Square is a popular destination for Italian food. On a chilly winter morning's visit, there was a substantial crown waiting to enter the storefront of Frank Pepe's Pizzeria. I doubt you'll find that kind of devotion or enthusiasm to grab a slice at your run of the mill pizza national chains like Papa Johns and Pizza Hut. That's what makes places like Wooster Square so special, something that malls and corporate franchises just can't duplicate. 

Frank Pepe's Pizzeria

 Statue of Christopher Columbus in Wooster Square Park