The “race” rhetoric was also used against the Italians during the years of their mass immigration to America, and of course is now being used against the various Hispanic/Latino populations in more subtle ways by groups like the Minutemen.

The Italians and the Jews seem to have achieved “whiteness” to some degree, but of course there’s a common misperception now that “race” is another word for “skin color.” And yet the same people who believe this would probably consider me “white” even though I’m tarnished by freckles. I’m looking forward to seeing this exhibit!