2. Ruins
The rubble of ancient Rome or Pompeii is no match for that of the stores, businesses, and homes in Italian American neighborhoods abandoned in anticipation of "renewal", cleared of misnamed "slums", and still awaiting new uses. In most cases, these "liminal" zones of "in betweenness" had already taken their first step toward oblivion. Italian American ruins contain crumbling traces of vernacular architecture, faded signs which once announced active commerce and business, and fig trees growing in the wilds where little else other than various forms of low-income public housing were constructed to replace Italian villages.

3. Ethnic Theme Parks
Despite displacement of most of the "natives" the most famous of American Little Italies are preserved as spectacles for the appreciation of tourists, and the streetscapes which are used by film crews shooting "locations" for Mafia movies. Manhattan's Mulberry Street, and the world famous Feast of San Gennaro takes place in an Asian neighborhood decorated with "Italian" store fronts, street furniture, and outdoor cafes where restaurateurs recruit "swarthy" waiters from Latino communities. A few ethnically sympathetic vendors might attempt to recreate Italian markets, but many are more likely unashamedly hawk "Kiss Me I'm Italian Buttons", ethnically offensive bumper stickers, miniature Italian flags, and almost anything else in red, white and green.