Please realize that I am not being a "Giovanni, One Note".

I am merely reporting on a continuing parade of new "spinoffs" on the Sopranos, and Mafia themes. Last week it was Vincent Pastore's "Wise Guy" Syndicated Radio Show. This week it is "Growing up Gotti". Be sure, it will be others in coming weeks!

Is there no end to the degree to which the Media is willing to Negatively Portray Italian Americans??

AND,what ever Happened to the Battle Cry of other Ethnic Groups to Society that:

"Any Discriminatory or Defamatory attack on ANY one us, is an attack on all of us??

Why then are Other Groups incredibly sensitive to any trivial "slight" to "themselves" and completely oblivious to the "Barrage" vs the Italian American community????

Ask yourself, Why are "they" Not more Sensitive, Why are "they" not more Helpful??

AND if those groups cry "foul" so frequently on their own behalf, yet ignore the grievous transgressions against others, should "we" be concerned about their complaints, that seem to be so "self centered", or are they to be treated as mere Hypocrites???
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The Sons of Italy has sent the attached letter to Nickolas Davatzes, president and CEO of A&E Television Networks protesting A&E's projected new reality series starring Victoria Gotti, the daughter of the late convicted criminal John Gotti.

We also copied Robert Debitetto, who is A&E's senior vp of programming.
We urge you to add your voice to ours.

Nickolas Davatzes
President & CEO
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017 Tel:  212 210 1400
Tel:  212 210 1340 (Viewer Relations)
Could not deterrmine the Email address.
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March 29, 2004

Nickolas Davatzes
President & CEO
A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017

Dear Mr. Davatzes:

The Sons of Italy Commission for Social Justice is the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), the largest and oldest organization in America for people of Italian descent.  We have more than 700 chapters throughout the country. Recently we have received complaints from our supporters about your upcoming reality series, "Growing up Gotti"

Television shows like this one damage the image and sensibilities of Italian Americans, who are the nation's fifth largest ethnic group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  With an estimated population of 25 million people, Italian Americans constitute a substantial market-two-thirds of whom are in white collar, well-paying positions.  Why offend so many potential viewers?

Please reconsider your decision to air this series.  If the show is pulled, I promise that we will widely broadcast your responsiveness to our concerns.  We have contacts in the Italian American media and several E-mail networks of thousands of Italian American activists who, like OSIA, are concerned about shows that honor individuals for their connections to crime.

If you have any questions, please contact Dona De Sanctis, Deputy Executive Director,  at our main office in Washington, D.C. at 202/547-2900.

Yours truly,

Albert A. De Napoli
National President

Cc: Robert Debitetto, A&E Senior V.P., Programming