Assignment 5

 How to describe Napoli? Is it enough to settle with the stereotypes of this city? Which is that of garbage, drugs, and thieves. From personal experience I have grown to be less reluctant  to believe in stereotypes. Garbage, drugs, and thieves exist everywhere. The verity that all three stereotypes are abundant in the city confirms it. Garbage dominates the streets. Drugs are readily accessible and thieves are overly qualified for their professions; a skill that requires much practice, courage, and wit.  Granted that certain stereotypes were reaffirmed during the class’ stay in Naples, there is much to see and learn about this intriguing city.

Napoli is a camouflaged city. What do I mean by that? Imagine an abandoned vespa on the street corner. It is placed in front of a grocery store. It is rusty and secured with a worn chain. It asks for little to no attention. What many people don’t know about the abandoned vespa is that it functions accordingly and that its owner conveniently parked it there knowing that it will be there upon their return. Only the owner knows the value of the vespa. It is something that an outsider would have never been able to guess or believe.

Camouflage is the ultimate weapon against theft. It is also a tool for preservation and peace. Problems are masked or in this case beauty and worth are masked to prevent change. Presentation plays a role in the identity of a location especially Naples, which is quickly judged by outsiders.  For example, the massive amount of garbage found across the city can be perceived as a sign of laziness and poverty. When in truth, the garbage problem is a result of overpopulation and unavailability of landfills. A fact that many outsiders are unaware of. Only the populates of Napoli know the value of their city (The vespa analogy was fostered by a section in Severgnini’s article La Bella Figura: An Insider’s Guide to the Italian Mind, pg. 164).

Expanding on the vespa scooter analogy, there is also a parking issue in Napoli and in Italy. It is common to see the same car parked in the location from yesterday or for there to be a long line of traffic waiting on a driver who is determined to  park directly in front of a grocery store.  The parking problem is a reflection of Italy’s national identity, which includes individualism. Parking is an issue that can be readily resolved but as Severgnini  comments, “in these cases, the remedy lies with the authorities and should be applied with energy. But the authorities have other things to do. Like parking close to the office.”

 Which makes me wonder if the lack of collectivism is a factor for the deficiency of societal progress? How far can a nation progress with the mentality of ‘survival of the fittest’?

Fear is the act of not knowing. Not knowing the personality of a neighborhood or how to adapt to it, shapes and influences the way in which you view a particular destination. Naples is such a place. It is a city densely populated by ‘others’. Others, a term that represents a potluck of immigrants, city dwellers, and artists. In my opinion it is a nest for activism and change. The graffiti, or public political statements depicted by blunt expressions for freedom and images of death, change, and humor is found throughout every corner and alley in Napoli. The excursion led by Alex Valentino contributed to my theory that activism has deep roots in Italy. This is confirmed by the abundant stories and facts that Alex was able to provide about religious buildings that were invaded as a drastic measure to make political statements, grant sanctuary or serve as headquarters to social organizations.

The traditional outlook on politics ultimately places a handicap on the youth of the nation. There is no future for the youth.

            On a lighter note, my visit to Naples assured me even more that home is where you make it. Location may play an insignificant role.  I had more positive experiences in Naples than negative experiences. J