Today’s guest is Pat Marino, the author of “We Have All Been the Others”: Reflections of a First Generation’s Daughter on Belonging, Democracy, and a New American Dream.” Pat is a historian and was a high school ESL teacher. In her book, she shares about her grandparents’ experiences living in a segregated Chicago. So, for the episode, we talk about her work as an ESL teacher, what she’s learned as a historian, especially in the immigration space, and her research on writing her book. However, for this blog post, we will focus on her book.
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Pat’s Journey of Writing We Have All Been the Others
When asked how she first envisioned her book, Pat described it as a project that had been rolling around for 20 years. “I never had the time to do it,” she admitted, but it was clear that this memoir had been brewing for quite some time. What started as a way to preserve her family’s stories for future generations soon became a much broader exploration of Italian immigration, assimilation, and the often-overlooked struggles that Southern Italians, in particular, faced in the U.S.
Pat talked about her research into the experiences of Italians in Chicago and how her interactions with historians, such as Dr. Candelaro, helped shape her understanding of the social dynamics that plagued Italian immigrants. From the stereotyping of Southern Italians as mafia-affiliated to the biases embedded in early U.S. immigration laws, Pat’s book transcended personal memoir. It became a broader reflection of American history.
Family Ties and Historical Threads
One of the most fascinating aspects of Pat’s book is how she intertwines her family’s story with historical events. She paints a picture of her father, born in 1908, growing up in a world where immigration laws often excluded Southern Europeans, labeling them as “less intelligent” or “disease-ridden.” This prejudice is a running theme in Pat’s reflection on her family’s experience in America, where her ancestors worked hard to create a life for themselves despite societal obstacles.
As she connected her family’s past with the broader historical context, Pat found herself questioning how far the country had come—or hadn’t—in terms of welcoming immigrants. She even drew parallels between historical anti-immigrant sentiments and modern-day policies, making her story not just one of the past but also a relevant commentary on current events, which may feel like we haven’t progressed much in this area.
Lessons Learned
In our conversation, I asked Pat what she learned about herself during the process of writing her memoir. She confessed that despite her knowledge of history, there was still so much more to uncover. One surprising fact she came across was the exclusion of many African American veterans from the benefits of the GI Bill after World War II. This revelation reminded her that no matter how much we think we know, there’s always more to learn. We must always strive to continue learning.
But beyond the historical discoveries, Pat learned the importance of staying adaptable as a writer. The book changed as she wrote it, and she had to be open to following where the story led. “Sometimes the writing takes its own course,” she said, emphasizing that flexibility is key in the creative process.
What’s Next?
Now that We Have All Been the Others is out in the world, Pat is already thinking about her next project, which will be a historical novel set during World War II. While she’s still in the early stages of developing the story, it’s clear that her passion for history and storytelling will guide her in creating another compelling narrative.
I told Pat she’s more than welcome back on the show for when her next book is published.
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With Love, Heidy
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