Frank Cannata, in addressing his fellow Sons of Italy members, gives well 
deserved Recognition to those I-As that are attempting to "Eliminate the 
Negative (Stereotyping)". 

Cannata then Reminds us that one of the more important methods for 
"Accentuating the Positive",  is the educating our I-A youth to the mostly 
untold Italian American Experience, and one of the more effective means 
of accomplishing that, is the establishing of Curriculums (Chairs) at various 
Universities. 
============================================================
From: Frank Cannata 

I have read with great admiration your collective concerns about the
continuing barrage of negative stereotyping in the electronic and print
media.  Your responses are most often eloquent, informed and impassioned. 
There is no question that you are making a difference.  The victories may
seem small but they speak volumes about your effort.  

The ultimate victory will come when secondary schools and universities
offer Italian Language History, Art & Culture as integral parts of their
curriculum.  

To do so requires that we have teachers to conduct these classes. 
         
My point is very simple, the real leveler against bigotry is education.  It
is a slow and ponderous method to a great end.  As Chairman Mao said, "A
journey of a 1,000 miles begins with one step."  Over a 15 year period we
have four Chairs with Italian and Italian-American emphasis; the Noether
Chair at UCONN, the LaMotta Chair at Seton Hall, the Graziedio Chair at
University of California Long Beach and the D'Amato Chair at SUNY Stony
Brook.  Each one of those Chairs have either developed or will develop
scholarship programs that will insure that the best and brightest,
irrespective of financial resources, will be able to complete their studies
in Italian and Italian-American subject matter.

When President Clinton was invited to address NIAF a couple of years ago,
two of the three Professors his researchers contacted were Dr. John Davis
(Noether) and Dr. Bill Connell (LaMotta).  Both of those Chairs did not
exist prior to 1992, when Clinton was first elected.

That is why we need to create Chairs at major universities all over the
United States.  UNICO has taken the lead in five campaigns.  The Sons of
Italy have generously supported both the Graziedio Chair and the D'Amato
Chair.  We need the rest of you to get involved.  

This year we have approximately 130 students at four universities taking
courses in Italian and Italian-American History that were in their
respective universities curriculum four years ago.  This year, for the
first time, Seton Hall is offering a full Italian Major program.

These young people will become our standard bearers.  They will ultimately
proclaim the truth and educate the world on the real contributions of Italy
and Italian-Americans to our way of life.  

Then and unfortunately only then, will this incessant bigotry die an 
ignominious death.  As Vico once said, "the truth is only what we know".

Frank Cannata 
========================================================

"While we Accentuate the Positive,  we Must ELIMINATE the Negative "

Who We Are 
The Italian American One Voice Coalition (IAOV) is a national network of 
activists enabling the 25 million members of the Italian-American community 
to act as one united voice when dealing with defamation, discrimination and 
negative stereotyping of our  culture and heritage.

The Italian-American One Voice Coalition needs proud Italian-Americans who
are ready, willing and able to fax, write, phone and email the media, the
motion picture and television industries that portray us in a negative
manner. Get involved. Get activated!

Why We Are 
The media has continuously portrayed Italian-Americans as Mafiosi, buffoons,
and bimbos. Italian-Americans are continuously depicted in a negative
stereotypic manner in commercials and advertisements. The motion picture 
and television industries have been so grossly unbalanced in the depictions 
and portrayals that in the minds of most Americans, Italian Americans = Mafia.

All negative stereotyping is wrong. To do nothing is to condone. The cost of
ethnic freedom is constant vigilance. Lend your voice, ears and energy to
the Italian-American One Voice Coalition. Be sure to let us know when you
are offended by negative stereotyping of Italian-Americans.

Through the Italian-American One Voice Coalition we will make our voices
heard. The Italian-American community must unite on a national level in order 
to deal with these un-American injustices.

Group Name  Italian American One Voice  
Group Email Address     Italian_American_One_Voice@yahoogroups.com  
Homepage Address    http://www.ItalianAmericanOneVoice.org/iaindex.html     

Posting Announcement/Newsletter     
Moderation  All messages require approval   
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Italian-American One Voice Coalition (I-AOVC) Founded 1993.
Chairman, Dr. Emanuele Alfano at  <<eaa097@aol.co