Also, our lack of community cohesiveness, partially due to so many of our I-A 
ancestors following society's encouragement to "assimilate", and turn 
their/our backs on our Italian (Foreign/Old World) Culture.   
==============================================
ITALIAN SURNAMES FAIL TO REACH THE TOP IN THE USA 
According to the ITALIC INSTITUTE of America.

06/03/2002
PR Newswire

NEW YORK, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at the Italic Institute of
America have concluded that an Italian surname is apparently an impediment
to reaching the upper ranks of American society. 

Although wealth is not the issue, it is evident that the number of Italian 
surnames in the power centers of the nation falls far short of what one might 
expect in an
assimilated society. The ability to be appointed or elected to power
positions may be severely hindered by an Italian surname. 

In contrast, Italian surnames abound in "middle management" positions 
throughout society, where job performance counts.

The study, entitled the Gianelli Report, is named for a fictional U.S. Vice
President in the 1962 novel "Seven Days in May". The reference to Gianelli
is meant to show how from the 1960's Italian Americans were thought to be a
potent political force. 

The reality now appears that assimilation and unrelenting media defamation 
since the Valachi Hearings (1963) and "The Godfather" (1972) movie series 
have drained away any ethnic advantages.

Despite a 1983 New York Times Magazine cover story predicting Italian 
Americans "coming into their own", the last major political appointment was 
in 1986 when President Reagan selected Antonin Scalia for the Supreme Court.

The turbulent campaign of Geraldine Ferraro for the U.S. Vice Presidency in 
1984 was the defining moment for Italian American political expectations. It 
was the last attempt to break the political barrier.

Among the "power centers" identified by the Institute are: Fortune 500 
company executives, national media executives, leadership in the Federal 
government, State governors, 50 major city mayors, Roman Catholic Church 
hierarchy, military leaders, and academic elite. These sectors were surveyed 
to determine the percentage of Italian surnames compared to the Italian 
American population (between 6-7 percent). 

In the case of the Church, Italian Americans compose some 26 percent of the 
total Catholic population but represent only 8 percent of the Church 
leadership.
It was found that although Italian surnames reach 15 percent of the CEO's in
the Fortune 500, the balance of the executive suite has only 3 percent,
indicating lack of tickle-down favoritism.

In government, there are presently no governors or lieutenant governors with 
Italian surnames in the nation and only one mayor (Thomas Menino of Boston) 
of the 50 largest cities.

Corporations such as Bank of America and Planters Peanuts, which were founded 
by Italian Americans, now have none on their executive boards. High profile 
companies that promote Italian cultural products such as The Olive Garden 
restaurant chain and Domino's Pizza also have no Italian-surnamed executives.

A copy of the full study is available to the media at no charge, for all 
others there is a $15 fee. ItalicOne@aol.com or Italic Institute of America, 
P.O. Box 818, Floral Park, NY 11001

The Italic Institute of America is an educational non-profit founded in 1987. 
Tel. +1-212-268-8085 or +1-516-488-7400.

<A HREF="http://www.italic.org/">Document Title</A> (Italic Institute)
http://www.italic.org/