Saturday, March 26, 2005
A New Italian Accent in Old Boston- and a Lot of Vowels- Boston Globe

The ANNOTICO Report

Jean Vennochi cites that in the last century, Irish-American politicians rose to power in the Commonwealth and used that power to reward and protect fellow Irish-Americans. It was a local reflection of how the American melting pot works: Elected officials in charge of the pot take the opportunity to, first, promote and protect their friends and their friends' causes.

Yet, this journalist seems seriously conflicted, or has an identity crisis, in that while she acknowledes "practices" the Irish-Americans had engaged in for a century plus, seems to question the propriety of even the "appearances" of the same done by the now in power Italian Americans....


Thanks to Alan Girard Hartman of Ita-Sicily-L@ Roots.com
A NEW ACCENT ON OLD BOSTON
The Boston Globe
By Joan Vennochi,
Globe Columnist
March 24, 2005
WHAT DO all the vowels mean?
A new face of politics rules in Massachusetts, underscored by all the jokes during this year's St. Patrick's Day roast. ''Where Have all the Irish Politicians Gone?" moaned state Representative Brian P. Wallace of South Boston in a humorous ditty. For the first time in a generation, no Irish-American has control of the Massachusetts Senate, House of Representatives, governor's office, or Boston mayoralty. Three out of four of those powerful positions are held by men of Italian heritage -- Senate President Robert E. Travaglini, House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi, and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
First comes the joshing about better food. Then come the questions about the power of tribalism and how it may influence Bay State politics.
Does the concentration of Italian-American power-brokers help Matthew Amorello keep his job as chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority? Does it gain more access on Beacon Hill for Boston Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino? Do queries like that demonstrate prejudice against Italian-Americans, even if posed by one?
Issues of race or ethnicity are sensitive but real factors in politics, especially in Massachusetts, where tribalism traditionally plays a role in political outcomes.
In the last century, Irish-American politicians rose to power in the Commonwealth and used that power to reward and protect fellow Irish-Americans. It was a local reflection of how the American melting pot works: Elected officials in charge of the pot take the opportunity to, first, promote and protect their friends and their friends' causes. Not surprisingly, their friends often hail from the old neighborhood. It does not always lead to bad choices, but choosing on the basis of ethnicity, by definition, excludes some people for only one reason and rewards others.
In the 21st century, Irish-American ties are still strong, but once in a while they can loosen. One example of a significant break occurred when state Attorney General Thomas Reilly called for William M. Bulger to step down as University of Massachusetts president. In doing so, Reilly broke ranks with a network that long stood behind the former Senate president. His declaration of independence may yet hold political consequences in his quest to become governor.
The rivalry between Irish-Americans and Italian-Americans continues as a staple of traditional Boston political culture. During Sunday's St. Patrick's Day roast, DiMasi joked about coming ''over the bridge" into South Boston ''without getting into a fight." Travaglini took the opportunity to joke about the departures of the last two prominent Irish-American state lawmakers to hold the Legislature's top posts: Bulger, who stepped down amid allegations that he refused to cooperate with authorities seeking to locate his fugitive mobster brother James ''Whitey" Bulger, and former House speaker Thomas M. Finneran, who remains under the cloud of a federal perjury investigation. Said Travaglini: ''You wonder if Bulger and Finneran knew it when they ruled us like kings long before they both blew it, that it might not be long before they joined Martha Stewart."
It was a fascinating gibe given the sensitivity many Italian-Americans have about crime-related jokes or references made at their expense. In a recent column I referred to former state transportation secretary Frederick P. Salvucci as ''the godfather of the Big Dig." It was a quick way to describe his advocacy for the project, but the phrase drew complaints from readers. Salvucci was not pleased either.
After Governor Mitt Romney called for Amorello to leave his post, Travaglini and DiMasi backed the embattled Big Dig overseer. There is no question some commentary about Amorello's battle to keep his job at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority suggested that ethnicity played a role. Yet it is reasonable to conclude the legislative leaders legitimately believe it is silly for Romney to blame Amorello for all that is wrong with the project.
A new Boston may be emerging, but the political world still applies old standards and measurements to reach conclusions about people and their motives. Among them: Where were you born? Where were your parents born? How does that affect your view of the world and the decisions you make with your power? And by the way, did former governor Paul Cellucci have to play so strongly to ethnic stereotype and take a new job with a racetrack conglomerate?
Fair or unfair, like it or not, this is political reality for the new tribe:
Does Beacon Hill now look at the world through lasagna-colored glasses?
Joan Vennochi's e-mail address is vennochi@globe.com.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/
editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/03/24/
a_new_accent_on_old_boston/