Steve no, in Italy there is no memory of slavery since the fall of the Roman Empire. Historically, in Italy there has been no or very little racial prejudice, against jews, African or other races, probably because Italy is such a mixture of races, having been invaded by many countries. Due exceptions taken of course, maybe 5 to 10% people are really racist.
Recently there are concerns though about the many immigrants and refugees coming from Africa. They are too many coming in an economic slump, so the concerns start taking up a racist connotation.
Africans (and other nationalities) often cross the Sahara desert on desert roads in a very adventurous and Dangerous trip, then they are stocked in concentration camps in Lybia, where women are subjec to violence and men must shut up, then they are crammed onto old boats for the final lag toward the Italian coasts. And they have to pay for all that. Organized crime arranges the trip. People who do not have much money go under the bridges in boats, and often suffocate. Many people drown after the old boats sink down.
