State Repression, Hostel Capitalism, and Black Resistance in Italy

Resistance by the newly arrived black working class in Italy takes on forms that often leave little or no trace; the work of the historian must be to listen carefully to the silences in order to recover these acts. This contribution focuses on the resistance with asylum seeker hostels. Beginning with an examination of the resistance and repression of Bobb Alagie, it explains the reasons for the increase in these acts of resistance following the implementation of the hotspot approach, as well as the important role that the resisting subject produced by this situation has had within the formation of the new Italian right. Finally, questions are raised about the potential for future progressive alliances in the new political context.