utilizing fertile soil in the land of opportunity – although they did get accustomed to the Southern tradition, but in doing so they also preserved their rich Italian culture. Perceptions of Italian immigrants During the period of mass immigration to the United States, Italians suffered widespread discrimination in housing, social acceptance and employment. Local Mississippians had various beliefs and attitudes towards the 20th century Italian settlers. Many stereotypes floated around about them after they settled. During this time they faced discrimination, prejudiced attitudes and bigotry, all directed to their ethnic background. First-generation became farmers, grocers, and merchants. The next generation became doctors, bankers, and lawyers. One of them was able to reach the top political level in Mississippi: Andrew Longino, who was governor from 1900 to 1904. The Ku Klux Klan thrived off of targeting Catholics, including Italians. Italians were perceived as violent and dirty. Newspapers were even sensationalizing stories and headlines to further boost the negative reputation and stereotypes of Italian immigrants. Because of their darker skin tone and hair, Italians were viewed to be second-class citizens, unlike those of northern European ancestry. Italian immigrants that were tenant farmers at this time did work equivalent to African Americans, and therefore resulted in both ethnic groups residing at the bottom of the social scale. Italian Americans were often victims of prejudice, economic exploitation, and sometimes even violence, particularly in the South. And Mississippi (with nearby Louisiana) was no exception to this. Lynchings Indeed, Mississippi and Louisiana were to become a worldwide symbol of anti-Italianism when, in 1891, eleven Italian immigrants in New Orleans were lynched due to their alleged role in the murder of the police chief David Hennessy. This was one of the largest mass lynchings in U.S. history. The lynching took place after nine of the immigrants were tried for the murder and acquitted. Indeed, nine Italians – some of whom were from the Mississippi Delta – who were thought to have assassinated police chief David Hennessy were arrested, tried, and acquitted. Subsequent to the trial, they were dragged from the jail in Parish Prison of New Orleans and lynched by a mob that had stormed the jailhouse, together with two other Italians who were being held in the jail at the time on unrelated charges. Afterwards, hundreds of Italian immigrants, most of whom were not criminals, were arrested by the police even in Mississippi. Furthermore, in 1899,