Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Hamilton Canada Mayor's Gala Roast Turns "Mob" Ugly- But Canadians are More Civilized

The ANNOTICO Report

The occasion was a Mayors Gala, the $150-plate,Charity fundraiser that pulled in more than $155,000 by paying tribute to Hamilton's five living mayors -- Eisenberger, Di Ianni, Bob Wade, Bob Morrow and Jack MacDonald.

The evening featured Eisenberger roasting his predecessors, so from that perspective he was looking to be funny and irreverent.

However, days after Eisenberger joined the rest of city council for a three-hour sensitivity workshop, he stood in front of several hundred people and made Italian mobster jokes at former mayor Larry Di Ianni's expense.

To the credit of the audience, and perhaps being representative of Canada, all Canadians,besides moans, groans, and dropped jaws, the mayor's faux pas had members in the audience, including other politicians, questioning both Eisenberger's taste and judgment.

 

Unanimously the attendees thought Eisenberger comments were not only "inappropriate stereotype and slur." but something Italo-Canadians have fought against for decades since they first arrived as new immigrants to this country and, particularly, to our community."

 

Why do Canadians get it, and Americans seem so dense?? I've just become MORE of a friend to Canada!!!!! 

 

Eisenberger's Ethnic Jokes Fall Flat

The Hamilton Spectator
By Andrew Dreschel
June 6, 2007

It looks as if Mayor Fred Eisenberger may need some remedial sensitivity training.

Days after Eisenberger joined the rest of city council for a three-hour sensitivity workshop, he stood in front of several hundred people and made Italian mobster jokes at former mayor Larry Di Ianni's expense.

Besides moans, groans, and dropped jaws, the mayor's faux pas had members in the audience, including other politicians, questioning both Eisenberger's taste and judgment.

Eisenberger say he's "stunned" by the reaction and did not mean to offend anyone.

"It's absolutely the last thing in the world I'd want to do or intended to do," he said.

The occasion was last Friday's mayors gala, the $150-plate fundraiser that pulled in more than $155,000 for the United Way by paying tribute to Hamilton's five living mayors -- Eisenberger, Di Ianni, Bob Wade, Bob Morrow and Jack MacDonald.

Besides dinner and performances by local music groups, the evening featured Eisenberger roasting his predecessors, a performance which would have been distinguished only by its flatness had it not been for the targeting of Di Ianni with ethnic stereotypes.

Di Ianni, who was born in Italy and came to Canada with his family at age eight, was Hamilton's first Italo-Canadian mayor.

Twice Eisenberger dredged up disparaging cliches about Italians and organized crime.

The first was a brief Godfather-like impersonation of Di Ianni intimidating the provincial government into giving Hamilton money for social services.

The other was the suggestion Di Ianni should use The Sopranos theme song for his campaign anthem when he runs in the next federal election as Liberal candidate in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

In an interview, Di Ianni said even by the rules of a roast, where people are supposed to bleed a little, Eisenberger's comments were in "poor taste."

"The whole stereotyping of people based on their heritage, their ethnic background, or their colour is just not appropriate or becoming of anyone, let alone someone who is a community leader," said Di Ianni.

He believes Eisenberger meant no harm, but he still wants to talk to him about it.

"I think the message I will have for him is ethnic stereotyping is a form of racism and even if you don't intend to mean any harm, it reinforces that it's OK to do that -- and that's not OK."

Councillor Tom Jackson, one of a handful of city councillors who attended the event, was also taken aback.

He doesn't think Eisenberger's shots were intended to be mean-spirited, but they were an "inappropriate stereotype and slur."

"I felt it was not only inappropriate but something Italo-Canadians have fought against for decades since they first arrived as new immigrants to this country and, particularly, to our community."

Hamilton East New Democrat MPP Andrea Horwath says jaws dropped at her table and surrounding ones. In her view, Eisenberger's remarks were neither fitting nor made with the best judgment.

She thinks the incident was particularly unfortunate given the good work Di Ianni and his predecessor Wade did building relationships between cultures and ethnic groups through Strengthening Hamilton's Community Initiative.

In his defence, Eisenberger points out he also took some pokes at his own Dutch heritage. He was born in Holland and came to Canada with his family when he was seven.

"It was a roast so from that perspective we were looking to be funny and maybe a little irreverent, but certainly not offensive.

"If anyone took it that way, I would say that wasn't the intent and would never be my intent. I have no interest in maligning anyone."

According to Eisenberger, his material was put together and worked on collectively by his office staff, but he made the final call.

If so, it was a dumb one. Obviously Bernie Morelli isn't the only member of Hamilton council who might benefit from one-on-one sensitivity training.

The difference is, it appears the mayor may need to take one or more of his advisers with him.

Andrew Dreschel's commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. adreschel@thespec.com or 905-526-3495.

 

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