IAma 95 year old Italian immigrant who live thru WWII and watched Mussolini speak, AMA

What is the most disturbing technological advance of the 21st century in your opinion?

Everything

How did you experience WW2 and what was the opinion of Germans in Italy back then?

My husband was an Italian soldier. He would steal chickens from gestapo to feed our family. You don't want to know the opinion we had of Germans. We hate them. We still do. I had to hide under the road in the sewer so I did not get killed. When we killed one German soldier, they would kill ten civilians and children as pay back. Mass graves all over my city.

Not to sound rude, but I myself am part German. I know you have a lot of resent for what happened during WWII, though I could never imagine how it was at the time. I hope you don't hold every German accountable. My great grandfather (my mother's grandfather) was put in a death camp for resisting the Nazis. He wasn't in the military, he only spoke out against them. The only reason I say this is because I feel as if I have to stand up for my heritage. I've been to Germany before, and the people there are pretty nice. The older folks not so much, but college students my age all knew English and were very fun to be around. Do you think you could ever forgive Germany? I completely understand if you couldn't. I'm glad you made it through that terrible experience, and I wish you many more happy years.

I replied to this and somehow it didn't show up. She has poor English. She doesn't hate Germans. Her oldest son married a German. She hates the ones that hurt her family and her people back then. She loves Germans today. Just not the ones back then that we're doing those horrible things. I'm sorry if it did not come across like that. She meant she still hates those Germans in the past.

Thank you for your grandfather!

And thank you for that response. Unfortunately a lot of redittors who commented have shown their ignorance, I hold nothing but respect for you and your grandmother.

Thank you. That's nice before I die. I impact one person.

Who taught you to computer?

It was your father...your mom, too. (my parents). I try everything, I like to learn. I like to computer.

I like to computer too, slightly facist old lady.

Sent to /r/nocontext.

Thank you for introducing me to my new favorite sub reddit. I haven't laughed so hard in a while. Cheers and an up vote to you.

"I'm glad. Making people laugh is good. Hahaha. Now I laugh"

What was going through your head when you watched Mussolini speak?

I love Mussolini. He did so much for the young people. He used to allow kids to do sports, get education, his only problem is going along with hitler.

This AMA is incredible

What's your favorite moment from your childhood? Have you gone back to Italy and visited?

thank you!!! (then she laughed hysterically). my father was a train conductor so I would ride the train with my sister all day all around, we would eat desserts, read, and ride the train. several times. I can't even count how many!

If you could relive just one moment in your life, what would it be? Why?

my wedding day. I love my tesorro, he was just (she giggled like a school girl) i love him. Even after he gone, I love him forever, I was kind of sad because I left my parents, But I love him so much.

Did you keep anything that reminded you of him? Any momentous (like your wedding ring)?

She has a picture of them together on his Motoguzzi motorcycle still on her nightstand. All their wedding presents broke coming to America or she had to leave in Italy. She never had a drivers license because he always wanted to take her everywhere.

What is your best piece of advice to young people today?

Go to church. (all my aunts chimed in) shut up! I no stupid! Okay. Try to get an education. Yep. I was telling someone when we got to America people told the kids get high school diploma. Just the high school. Now they say master degree! Now college and no job! This is a very...Ahhh! They all... "mom!!! I move back in!!"

Did you ever see brutality from the SS or Gestapo personally? If so, what happened? Thanks.

They would stand in front of my house with machine guns. There was a square, they were all in the center with machine guns. Ready to shoot. They would lie down and if you did anything, they shoot without question.

If it's not to personal I would like to know if you are afraid of death. I mean I'm sure you have faced more of it than most of the other members of reddit, so after going through all of that are you afraid?

Everyone is afraid of death but when you believe in God, he will help you. Of course I'm afraid. The worst is that I can't see you cousin new baby (due in dec. she thinks she will pass before then). The worst will be missing you and my children. Grand children. Great grandchildren. I love you so much.

How does your grandma feel about gay rights?

Cadeto?! Against it 200%. I don't care. I don't like al these parades, (I asked why) because when they do parade they try to...I don't like these things. What more do you want to know?! I said i don't like it okay!

Cadeto? Do you mean Che hai detto? "What did you say?"

Yes, I'm sorry. Most of this is coming from an iPhone and I am typing as fast as I can, sometimes it messes things up, she is answering 50% in Italian.

In all of your years, what surprised you most about the world? I.E. Technology, politics, social movements, etc.

almost everything because all these things. The astronanut. they walk on the...anything, everything, they walk everywhere. we didn't even dream when I was young, we couldn't.

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1. L'Aquila where they have the big earth quake! these poor people

2. can I ask laura? (my aunt) LAURAAAA....don't know baby doll!

3. he's reaaaaaaaaaaaally bad. yep. he's a bad guy. realy bad. in what way i don't know. i just learned he is bad.

Did you ever meet any of the American soldiers coming through Italy? And just curious, how prevalent was the Cosa Nostra (and organized crime in general) during your years in Italy?

lots, lots, lots. such nice men. I don't know because it was not talked about. You don't talk about that!

How do you feel about the portrayal of world war two (all of it, not just the battles) in the various storytelling media (books, film, etc)?

they don't know the real story. if you believe the war really ended in the early 40's, you are wrong.

What was your favorite musical artist or song when you were a teenager? Are there any recent songs or musical artists that you like? My Nana doesn't seem to like any of todays music one bit....Thanks for doing this! :)

we hear a lot of classico music. Bibli Zini... let me think... that is all. ohhh today music is HORRIBLE. I call it "Barking Dogs". okay you are welcome!

• What is your favorite Italian dish to cook/eat?
• Do you have any plans to join Twitter?
• Who was your favorite U.S. President in your lifetime, and why?

cook- uhm. E-e-e. how you say? Cappelletti. Eat-now I only eat the soup. I used to love artichoke. Roast lamb with green potatoes.

Cadeto? I don't understand. I am to old for computer!! I can not hardly see no more. I like to play on the computer.

Clinton. He was a good president. That's why. He left the country in a decent state with surpluss.

I detest George w. bush! Did they ask that?! Eight years of screwing up. F him. An effe!

What does "cadeto" mean?? I keep seeing it.

Nonna, all of reddit hates George W. Bush.

we still wash the dishes by hand. Does Kim Jong Uno know that? we still do dishes by hand.

it means "what did you say?" or "what do you mean?"

Hi Nonna - what do you think of Capretto stew? I think it's my favourite - I was hoping to find some when I went to Italy but couldn't find anyone that sold it.

I do not know what that is. Spell it. I have never heard of that.

After seeing the human race advance for 95 years, what do you think the next 95 years will look like?

I hope it's better than the first 95! I'm hoping they don't have any war again.

How do you feel about Jews?

As a whole? Or one jew? What Jew?

Would you ever want to go back to Italy?

all my family is here now, only family left there is niece, all my grandchildren, great grandchildren, they all come here. my parents all die, my sisters all die. I just don't.

Just wanted to say its amazing to be able to see your point of view, me being only 19 I'm always interested in seeing history. It's amazing, you're 95 and have seen things that no person will ever see again in that time and place. You're amazing!

I don't know. I don't think so. I was working all the time, sometimes weeks, months, I don't even remember because I start working and never stop until I could not longer do anything

( she got a huge calcium deficiency in the war and lost the ball part of her ball/socket joints and can not move without major pain now)

How did the Italian populace feel towards Mussolini? Did they really feel that he would solve problems or was it more of a military rule? (was the spirit of the Italian people [from your experience] behind Mussolini?)

How was it moving over the ocean to a nation that was previously your home-country's enemy? Are you glad that you did not finish raising your family in Italy? What parts of American culture do you appreciate most?

No he solved a lot of problems! No thinking. I know. I saw it.

We never hate America! Did I say that?! I no say that! We love America! Americans are so friendly. I love them. America...we were living close to road. One side was downtown Rome, the Americans got here in WWII. we lined the street and threw chocolates and candies to them. Like Mardi gras.

No. I am not glad about that. We enjoy life. America is all about work. They take one month vacation, a several hour lunch...ah...

Culture meaning what? I think California is the best. The people there...so beautiful. I would've liked to stay in new York with civilized peoples.

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What part of italy were they in the war? I don't know what to say to them...that is so nice. I don't know.

How much of a sacrifice was it to cut up your wedding dress? Do you still have the clothes you made from it?

a very very big sacrifice. yes. in the war we didn't have anything. I lost everything I loved. no, no, no, no! I wish I did, but, eh.

Provide proof please!

What was your biggest culture shock upon entering the US? (Assuming she immigrated to the US)

Also, when Mussolini spoke.. What was the crowd's general opinion towards him at that point? (Was he persuasive, moving, hated, loved, etc.)

Capito. Everything different. Musical different. The language. I can't speak one word. They loved him! He was a very motivational speaker. I can let them hear it. Do they want to hear it?

Tell her "Cento de questi giorni " Post her reply. Tell her I know its not her birthday, but I wish it anyway.

my father was born on 20 of july in 1882. wish him a happy birthday. I was so close to him. Even with so many years of him missing, in the morning, I still look for him.

Were your father and mother around?

of course. Yes, they were, yes. that was the worst thing I could do is to leave them for America

Are you ever afraid that something like the Gestapo could happen again? Why or why not?

I hope not. I am not afraid because I don't know how long I will be in this world. But I hope for everyone that is here, it will never happen again.

During WW2 what did Italians think of the Japanese/the Japanese attack on America?

no infraction, NOTHING! for me, it was about Italia! don't say that. But I really, no hard feeling.

Which decade did you enjoy most? Why?

the one in my first beginning of marriage to Nonno. (my grandfather)

My grandfather emigrated to America from Naples, traveled America as a band director. What career did your Nana's family pursue in the old country? Also, when she came to America did they speak Italian at home and English at school or just English?

In Italy, they made leather shoes and when they came to America they were chefs. They spoke Italian at home and my dad actually started school not knowing English.

What is the best meal in your opinion?

I don't know! Gnocchi!

Ciao Nonna, di dove è Lei? Quale città? (Hi Grandmother, where are you from? Which city)

L'Aquila

What goals do you have left on your bucket list?

I wish I had some! I don't have anything. What do you think?

Thoughts about people like this making stereotypes for italian-americans everywhere?

When I left, we did not have TV. Now, I only watch divorce court. I cannot compare.

Are you afraid of history repeating itself?

War for sure. All the wars im afraid. We have to move ahead. Do better. Or try.

Where the 1960's a big a turning point as people depict it in your opinion? And if not what decade was a huge turning point in your life?

no, no. ah-ah. actually, ah, 1980. no, no. let me think! hm...the...your father when he turned 54. that decade. (6 years ago). no. the day when we left this country. or Italy. When I came here. (26 of November)

What's your secret for living to such an old age?

Lots of work. Not eat much. Work a lot. That's true. Very true