I have chosen to analyze this poster, as I wanted to reflect on the ongoing issue of illegal immigration in Italy, my homeland.

The far-right Italian party Lega Nord, which seeks to promote the traditions of a unified Italian populace, publicized this advertisement in 2008. The English translation to this poster’s message is “They underwent immigration. Now they live in reserves. Think about it.” This poster asks the audience, native-born Italians aware of the influx of immigrants from North African countries to Italy, to reflect upon the happenings in the United States of America throughout its period of colonization. Native Americans (being compared to Italians) were invaded by colonists from Europe (being compared to immigrants from Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, etc), who eventually took their lands and confined them in governmental reserves. The subjugation of American tribes by North American settlers shaped the course of history to the extent that Americans would be associated with the Caucasian race, rather than with the original population of American Indians. In summary, the Native American identity perished to give place to a new American identity. With this poster, Lega Nord wants to raise awareness pertaining to the threat against the Italian identity and country. For this reason, this piece of political propaganda aims to create a common purpose among Italians in order to stop unwanted and incessant immigration. The conveying of this message is made powerful due to its solemn tone, expressed by bold, blue characters, a striking image of an American Indian embracing its cultural individuality, and a popping red “Think about it” which contrasts with the green and white party-logo above to symbolize Italian patriotism. In an effort to evoke anger and resentment against illegal immigration through logical historical happenings, Lega Nord, a widely known Italian political party, asks Italians to take action.