美國歷史上,意大利移民族群的同化與認同歷程可謂一波三折。早期由于移民數量有限與移入國的接納,意大利人相對順利地融入美國主流社會之中;到19世紀末20世紀初,遭受美國社會拒斥導致同化受阻;一戰時的戰時特需促使意大利移民在融入的道路上邁出了一大步。隨后意大利移民作為族裔群體在美國逐漸淡出人們的視野;二戰中意大利移民積極參戰,實現與美國主流社會的合流,導致其作為族裔群體逐漸被人遺忘,自身也失去了族群身份訴求意識。20世紀五、六十年代,美國民權運動興起,多元文化主義隨之而來,美國歷史上諸多本已同化的移民族群的自我認同意識再次覺醒,其中意大利族群認同的復歸尤為典型。這種族群意識的復興,不但是多元文化主義的產物,也在事實上推動了美國社會的多元化進程。與此同時,美國社會再啟對"同質性"的反思,并探尋美國重新整合的凝聚力。

In American history,the process of Italian immigrants ’ assimilation had experienced twists and turns. In the early period,they were assimilated into the American mainstream society in a relatively smooth way,but in late 19 th century and early 20 th century,they were rejected by the American society. Special requirements of World War I prompted a great leap of Italian immigrants’ assimilation to a new level. Then the Italian immigrants as an ethnic group in the United States gradually faded,especially after their active participation in World War II,which finally integrated them into the mainstream society of America,and they also seemed to lose their appealing for an ethnic identity. The ethnic identity of many immigrants who had already been assimilated,among which Italian ethnic group is typical and revived since the American civil rights movement in the 50 s and 60 s in the 20 th century,and the rise of multiculturalism. Such revival,as the product of multiculturalism,also promoted the progress of the diversity of American society. A reflection of the homogeneity,as well as an exploration on the forces that can reunite the United States,arises in the American society at the same time.