Sunday, November 12, 2006

Sam Rotolo Disappointing Response on Fuggedaboudit, Anti Italian Bigotry

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Rotolo Middle School in Batavia Illinois was named after Sam Rotolo, an Italian American, (Sicilian) and its revered Principal for 23 years, up until 1989.

As I've mentioned before, Rotolo Middle School will be presenting a play entitled Fuggedaboudit, subtitled a little mobster comedy, that will be performed on Nov.17 and 18 by the Bada  Bing Players, obviously inspired by the HBO series, "The Sopranos", the play's plot involves characters with ITALIAN last names who are Mobsters running an ITALIAN restaurant while under surveillance by the FBI. They speak ungrammatical English with heavy New York accents. 

Sam Rotolo was approached by the Press and OSIA for his comments on this "situation".

I was disappointed by Sam Rotolo's response. Yes, he was obviously in a "difficult" predicament.

In Batavia, the District School Administration had honored him by naming the School he was Principal for 23 years after him.      Now, He was asked to comment on Conduct of a Teacher and Principal at that same School, and the Superintendent of that District.

The authoring of an Anti Italian Play, and then it's Performance..... What is he to say????

If he justifiably criticizes the Play, he might be considered an "ingrate" by the District Administration, disloyal to "his" School, make the Kids feel bad, and shed a "bad light" on the Author.

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that the School District Offices in anticipation of  Press contact, were in touch with Sam Rotolo BEFORE he made ANY Comment to Anybody, to discuss what his Response should be.

(1) Notice that Rotolo says: "As a former school administrator, I will stick with the teacher"

(2) Further he said. "I know him.(referring to the teacher/author)  He's a very fine young man, and he wouldn't do anything detrimental to the students."

A fine YOUNG man??? Sam, you retired in 1989, 17 years ago !!!!! How long/well did you know Myers before you retired ??? 

(3) ..."Wouldn't do anything Detrimental to the Students"??? 

Maybe NOT Intentionally, But Possibly BAD Judgement.

After all, even though Teachers have the "Molding" of Kids in their Hands, Education Majors in College are Not Geniuses.

Neither are Aspiring Actors. Therefore you have the Perfect Storm of Stupidity.

 

(4) Also Consider the Possibility that it Looks Suspiciously like he is EXPLOITING these Kids in order to "Showcase" his Play!!!!!

 

I Quote:  Matt Myers, the teacher -- of drama communications -- who wrote "Fuggedaboudit" with two things in mind -- teaching the kids about stereotypes and making sure there were a lot of characters in it. 

(5) "Teaching the Kids about Stereotypes" ??? Does this mean Teaching How to be a Bigot,....instead of  Teaching the Detriments of Stereotyping??? PLEASE !!!   This is merely another "Shark's Tale". Poisoning little minds!!!!!!  

I Quote: "We would always find a play with a lot of characters to get as many kids involved as possible," Rotolo said.

(6) "Get as many kids involved as possible" ??? A Sopranos "knockoff" is the ONLY Play that provides sufficient number of roles?? Do you realize how  galatically inane that sounds????

 

Sam, you did the Politic Thing, NOT the Right Thing!!!!!!   

 

You could have said. He's a Nice Young Man, But this is a Mistake. Not something I would have Encouraged.

 

I'm considering dedicating an Outhouse to you. The only question is where to locate it. Perhaps in Front of the School ??

 

 

SCHOOL PLAY RILES ITALIAN AMERICANS

 

But spoof OK with Sicilian ex-principal

 

Chicago Sun Times

By Steve Lord

Herald News

November 11, 2006

 

Sam Rotolo saw plenty of controversy in his 23 years as principal of the middle school in Batavia.

His ability to deal with those situations with a cool head is one reason the facility now is called Rotolo Middle School.

And he has kept his cool the last few weeks despite getting lots of calls from people wanting to know what he thinks about "Fuggedaboudit," subtitled "A Little Mobster Comedy," this year's Rotolo fall play. The production has come under criticism from the Order Sons of Italy in America, a national Italian-American organization, which says the play is insulting to Italian Americans and "most inappropriate entertainment" for children.

The Order Sons of Italy has contacted Rotolo because he is 100 percent Sicilian.

"As a former school administrator, I will stick with the teacher," he said. "I know him. He's a very fine young man, and he wouldn't do anything detrimental to the students."

The teacher -- of drama communications -- is Matt Myers, who wrote "Fuggedaboudit" with two things in mind -- teaching the kids about stereotypes and making sure there were a lot of characters in it.

"We would always find a play with a lot of characters to get as many kids involved as possible," Rotolo said.

The play -- set for Nov. 17 and 18 -- involves reformed ex-mobsters doing good deeds that are misunderstood. It's a spoof whose message is that stereotypes and outside appearances don't tell the whole story, school officials said.

 

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