About
This talk will explore the complex and often intersectional challenges of racial and environmental justice in contemporary Italy, a nation whose self-image as racially homogenous is increasingly at odds with its diverse reality. Drawing on a Black Italian activist perspective, the presentation will analyze how Italy's colonial heritage and restrictive citizenship laws contribute to systemic racial inequalities that manifest in various forms of exploitation. This exploitation is particularly stark in the agricultural sector, where the prestigious 'Made in Italy' brand often obscures the severe labor and environmental abuses associated with "caporalato" (illegal gang master system) and the marginalization of migrant workers. This discussion seeks to uncover the deep connections between race, labor, and environmental crisis in Italy, in order to move beyond uncritical sustainability efforts to achieve a more equitable and anti-racist future.