Ms. Jane C. Ship responded in the Letters
to Editor in the Hartford Courant today, to Joseph P. Fasi report of Renbrook
Prep Shool's Parent's Night skit of hurtful, hateful, derogatory
Italian American stereotypes.
Ms. Shipp states the School was "distressed" to read about Mr. Fasi's letter, but NOT distressed that their actions were a Gross Insult to the Italian American Community!!!!! Ms. Shipp also states that "there was never any intent to hurt anyone, and I regret that the skit had such an effect". MERELY REGRET, NO APOLOGY!!! To me that is somewhat like driving over someone with a truck, while "drunk", and say merely you regret it?? To draw an analogy, This was "bashing" the Italian American Community, and instructing while "ignorant"!!!!!!! [I'm hopping mad!!] Ms. Shipp says, "We will be examining future programs with the greatest care",... a Generic intent that one they should be excercising ANYWAY. But NO mention of, either particular concern for the Italian American Community wounds, nor a School Convocation, or a Day dedicated to educating the Student Body, AND Instructors to the Shame of any Bigotry (Ridiculing) in General, and the DISTORTED Image of Italian Americans. Ms. Shipp has in my opinion heaped "Insult on Injury" This is worth writing again about.
and/or Jane C. Shipp
NO HARM INTENDED BY SKIT The Hartford Courant
All of us at Renbrook School were distressed to read the Nov. 10 Other Opinion article about our school ["Italian Americans Must Speak Out About Stereotyping"], and to learn of Joseph P. Fasi's discomfort with the parody of an Olive Garden TV commercial in the "Renbrook Revue." There was never any intent on the part of students or teacher to hurt
anyone, and I regret that the skit had such an effect. We will be examining
future programs with the greatest care, to be sure that no one else has
the same experience that the Fasi
Mr. Fasi's commentary included an unfortunate stereotype of independent schools and of Renbrook in particular, as well as some inaccuracies that I would like to address: Beyond Hartford, we draw from 40 towns around Connecticut.
Nearly 16 percent of our students are children of color. We have an extensive financial aid program that enables us to include many different kinds of families in our school community. We are enriched by their presence. The trust that Renbrook parents place in the school is a sacred one: It is not to be trifled with or taken lightly. The faculty, non-teaching staff, trustees and I are dedicated to doing what is true and right at all times, no matter how painfully the lesson comes to us. We are already at work trying to make something positive out of the message The Courant printed last Sunday.I believe our school will ultimately be the better for it. Jane C. Shipp
The ANNOTICO Report There are all the snotty superior "elitists" who buy into the nastiest
stereotypes
Are Italian Americans the only Americans not entitled to protection
from Discrimination and Defamation on the basis of Ethnicity, and
Race???
Try to put yourself in the mind of this 11 year old girl, who if not
before, now knows,
How many times a day, to how many Italian American children nationwide,
do they have their self-respect similarly "spat" on???
ITALIAN AMERICANS MUST SPEAK OUT ABOUT STEREOTYPING Hartford Courant
Last month, my wife, 11-year-old daughter and I were subjected to a
Renbrook
It was clear that the seven or so children on stage had planned, practiced and were now presenting to the Renbrook students, parents and teachers a skit of hurtful, hateful, derogatory Italian American stereotypes. There was no plot; it was simply ridicule. My wife quickly left; I forced myself to be a witness. In retrospect, I learned something. Until you've been ridiculed for your ethnicity or race - essentially the cards you were dealt at birth - you haven't known humiliation. The Renbrook Review is a series of student-and faculty-performed skits. The school sits on Avon Mountain overlooking Hartford, on land donated by the founder of what is now United Technologies. It is an exclusive private school whose pride has been educating the children of Hartford's elite. Others who are willing to pay the price may also attend. In the past 40 years, our nation has learned that we cannot peacefully prosper unless people are judged solely by their deeds and decisions: by the "content of their character," as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said. Children in school in the United States are taught that preconceived notions based on race, religion or ethnicity are hateful impediments to fulfilling our country's unique promise to secure the individual's right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. In other words, impediments to meaningful opportunity. Yet, an exception to this abhorrence of stereotypes is made for Italian Americans. Renbrook School's skit is a perfect example. Would a skit intended to mock people of the Jewish faith or African Americans have made it past the Renbrook teacher who supervised dress rehearsal? Certainly not. Political correctness is extended to some but not all. The popular depiction of the Mafia in entertainments from the first "Godfather" film to "The Sopranos" television show is the primary factor emboldening those who stereotype Italian Americans to publicly ply their trade. This typecasting of Italians as criminals and buffoons is in direct contrast to other media portrayal of minorities, who are increasingly cast in positions of power, authority and righteousness. Apparently, America needs an underclass to mock. T.S. Eliot's poetry is scanned for anti-Semitism. The dialect of Mark Twain's novels is scrutinized for racial epithets. Yet I sat at a middle school performance and no one batted an eye when the culture of an entire ethnicity was brutally mocked. What's unique about Renbrook's participation in stereotyping is its tender-aged, middle school setting. Like all American children, Renbrook students learn that the American experience of the Puritans, African slaves and immigrants is the search for equality, opportunity and freedom. They learn the vital lesson that racism, bigotry and intolerance have caused our most tumultuous times. The hypocrisy of what was put on the Renbrook stage means that the lesson has been learned by neither the Renbrook teachers nor the students. Italian Americans must accept some of the blame for allowing themselves
to be
Italian Americans must speak out. The open, disgusting portrayal that
occurred at Renbrook School affects our livelihoods, children, history
and future. It is our civil right to be able to participate in school,
in government and in work without ridicule. It is a right we share with
everyone.
Hartford Courant at << letters@courant.com >> and/or Jane C. Shipp
Jane Shipp ’70 AM was elected president of the Elementary School Heads
Association. She is headmistress of Renbrook School in West Hartford, Conn.
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Speaking out with One Voice against Negative Stereotyping Italian-American One Voice Coalition is a national network of activists enabling the Italian American community to act as one united voice when dealing with defamation, discrimination and negative stereotyping. Member organizations provide a liaison with the IA One Voice Coalition to disseminate information to the Italian American community and protest with one voice against each outrage against our heritage, culture and character. Italian American One Voice - Who We Are Web Site: Italian American One Voice Coalition
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