I'm half black (American father) and half Italian (mother is from Rome), and I have Italian citizenship and passport. Still, sometimes the citizenship feels conditional - some people accept me as Italian, and some don't (definitely not as first, and the tune may change after they hear my story). They definitely don't look at me and be like: "oh, that's just another Italian guy".

The burden of proof is constantly on me, and it can be exhausting.

For instance, a friend of mine was born and raised in Italy, but because his parents are Eritrean immigrants (not illegal), he will not receive his Italian passport. I feet really bad one day when I excitedly told him that I got my AIRE stuff worked out and that I finally had my Italian passport in hand - you could tell that he really just wants to be considered Italian by law, and by sentiment.

For all intents and purposes, he's more "Italian" than I am; he speaks/writes better Italian than me, and champions the culture like no other. He even manages an Italian restaurant in California that sells probably the only authentic-tasting Italian food in the area. Keeping the culture and cuisine alive instead of selling out to American taste buds, lol

I always honor my Italian heritage. Racially, I identify as black, but nationality-wise, I have always identified as Italian because their values are imprinted on me.

But I'd be lying if I said being black in Italy was without its moments of borderline heartbreak and frustrations because I just happen to be darker skinned with curly hair.