I received the following Message from H-ITAM via a Canadian Italian Writers Network.

In my estimation, there are Five Points of contention:

(1) Title: Does it Negatively Impact/Portray Italian American women?
(2) Cover Jacket: Same Question??
(3) Indifference of Publisher to concerns of the IA Women Editor and Contributors
(4) Rude and Condescending Manner of New NON IA Editor inferring she really
             believes that Italians are uneducated buffoons.
(5) Are we willing to Support Italian American Women/Writers in Canada??

Of course I wish to see American men support these Women Writers, BUT I would especially like to hear from members of Malia Collection (I-A Feminist Group), and other Female IA Friends.

In addition to your Comments of  Support, what would be your suggestions for a Title and Cover, that would show a modern liberated Italian American Woman, expressing her opinion with warmth, conviction and dignity, (or whatever pose you feel appropriate), that would also catch the attention of potential readers??

When you send your comments to Jack David at < jack@ecwpress.com >, please
copy me at <trimtantre@aol.com> so that I may include portions of your message in my follow up. If possible also a courtesy copy to <pivato@athabascau.ca>.
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"MAMA MIA: GOOD ITALIAN GIRLS TALK BACK"

Controversy in Canada over Book of ECW Press Stereotyping Italians

From: Joe Pivato <pivato@athabascau.ca>
Athabasca University, Edmonton, Canada
Subject: ECW  Press Stereotyping Italians

I have just learned that ECW Press of Toronto is planning to publish an anthology of essays by Italian-Canadian women with the negative title:
     "Mamma Mia:  Good  Italian Girls Talk Back"

The cover shows an attractive, yet uncouth Italian woman shoving her hands in your face, since of course, Italians cannot express themselves in any civilized manner.

Because of this negative stereotyping of Italians the editor, Gina Valle, has withdrawn from the project in protest.

A number of the women contributors have removed their essays from the anthology.
The people from ECW Press refuse to change the title and the cover.

The new editor, Joy Gugeler, who knows nothing about Italian-Canadian writing, has been approaching other women writers to contribute in order to make up for the writers who have withdrawn in protest.

People who have contacted Ms. Gugeler to express their dismay at the negative stereotyping of Italian women by this cover have been treated very rudely and in a condescending manner as if she really believes that Italians are uneducated buffoons.

I am urging the rest of the women writers to withdraw from this project.

I am asking those interested in fighting this abuse of Italian-Canadian writers to protest to the ECW publisher, Jack David. Email is < jack@ecwpress.com >

Sincerely,  Joe  Pivato,
Athabasca University, Edmonton, Canada
<pivato@athabascau.ca>