Why do some italians say they aren't white they're italian?

Probably because in America, "white" usually means someone with Anglo features, like light hair, light eyes and light skin. White Latin people like Italians or Spanish are often referred to as "off white" in America, as sort of a demeaning way. So as a way to reject the "Anglo-assimilation" in America, Italians (and Spanish) sometimes say we are Latin or Italian or Spanish, not white.

They do? Every Italian i met says that they are White. All you need to do is watch The Sopranos to see that lol! I can understand why they don't want to be associated with Anglo Americans, because they ARE NOT Anglo! That doesn't mean that they are not White though, because technically the only Anglo Americans are those of English descent. Irish Americans, German Americans, Spaniard Americans, Portuguese Americans, Russian Americans are all White, but they aren't Anglo which is the same in the case of the Italians.

My boyfriend is an Italian living in Italy. I have asked him this question before, he said Italians are white and Sicilians are Italians.

Here is his picture :

http://360.yahoo.com/profile-0ZLJD2U8f6Dq5FCe4Scvt...

Asker : the owner of the diner where I used to eat told me that they were Italian. When his daughter showed me on the map where they originated from, it was sicily.

Would you say californian not americans ? California became part of the usa much later than the east coast.

They're proud of their heritage. They take pride in being Italian or Sicilian, and they want to be identified a such.

Meh, I have had this argument with a girl at work many times. It must be some kind of pride thing or something. That's all I can come up with. Like it's a bad thing be be classified as white.

the media stereotyped white/caucsian/european people only to be anglo saxon/nordic

this is funny becuase italy is located in ur so they are white/caucsian

well some are slightly darker than anglos though

Because they're idiots, and any Anglo who does not consider them white are idiots, too. Europeans and people of European ancestry need to ban together to fight the real enemy instead of bickering amongst ourselves.

Edit: Muslims

saying your "just white" has had a negative connotation stamped to it

kinda like saying your white is like saying you ain't "down"

does that make sense LOL

They like to be difficult. They want their own recognition.

Sicilians have Moorish blood in them...which is (North African Arabs).........that's why they have darker features.........read people, read........