John also wanted to mention his personal knowledge of CSJ's 
tremendous amount of research regarding the accomplishments of 
Italian and Italian American men and women including Composers, 
Explorers, Scientists, Inventors, Medal of Honor Recipients, All-Time 
Baseball Team, Sports Figures, Scientists and Engineers, 
Mathematicians, Nobel Prize Winners, Italy's Non Holocaust, 
W.W.II Internment, etc...

This information is available in the form of posters, bookmarks, 
pocket guides.  Donations are encouraged.  Mail: CSJ, 219 E. St., 
Washington, DC. 20002.  Tel. 202 547 0121, Fax 202 547 0121, 
csj@osia.org; www.osia.org

[RAA NOTE: It is my understanding that OSIA has 650 Lodges 
(Chapters), in about 30 states, and 80,000 plus members. If any of 
those numbers are too far off please advise. OSIA is by far the largest
I-A Organization currently in existence]
===================================================
THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Commission for Social Justice (CSJ) is the anti-defamation arm 
of the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA). The CSJ works to ensure 
equal concern, treatment, respect, freedom, and opportunity for all people 
regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age, or sex. Members are dedicated 
to eliminating the widespread prejudice and discrimination in our nation, 
and to promoting true and positive images and representations in film, 
television, news, and literature of the various people that make up our 
modern society.

The CSJ is particularly concerned with false and discriminatory portrayals 
of Italian Americans and replacing them with true, positive, and affirming 
representations.

The CSJ takes both proactive and reactive approaches to the task at 
hand. 

While taking on the media and entertainment industries, the CSJ has 
also instituted a Positive Images Program which affirms Italian heritage, 
culture, and those of Italian descent by highlighting positive 
accomplishments by Italians and Italian Americans.

FIGHTING DEFAMATION AND PROMOTING POSITIVE IMAGES

Fighting Defamation

For too long Italians and Italian Americans have faced defamation by the 
media and entertainment industries, and other public and private 
organizations. Negative stereotypes pervade our society, deeming those 
of Italian heritage as criminals and thugs. The truth is that Italians and 
Italian Americans are intelligent, creative, compassionate, law-abiding 
people whose contributions to the world are boundless.

Participation in and support of CSJ programs and initiatives is an effective 
way to ensure their success. The CSJ creates and distributes positive 
image materials, conducts letter-writing and petition campaigns, and 
boycotts or protests only when necessary, among other activities.

You can help the CSJ with its ongoing battle to fight defamation of Italians 
and Italian Americans and to promote the positive contributions we have 
given to the world. Click here to learn more about current CSJ issues and 
what you can do to help.

Promoting Positive Images: The Positive Images Program

The CSJ Positive Images Program is one of the best ways the CSJ can 
fight negative stereotypes. Besides responding when the character of 
millions of Italian Americans is scarred, the CSJ tries to stop this 
character assassination before it begins by presenting programs and 
materials with positive angles.

The Positive Images Program includes: lecture series at the Garibaldi-
Meucci Museum in New York for Italian-American Women in History 
Month, Italian Culture & Heritage series bookmarks, and support of 
"Una Storia Segreta," a traveling exhibit created by the American Italian 
Historical Association Western Regional Chapter, which tells the story 
of Italian American internment during World War II.

To order bookmarks or other CSJ products email csj@osia.org. 
For more information on "Una Storia Segreta" and Italian American 
internment go to Current Issues.

Fight Defamation & Promote Positive Images: The Commission for Social Justice
http://www.osia.org/public/commission.htm

Fight Defamation & Promote Positive Images
http://www.osia.org/public/defamation.htm