Thanks to John Marino, Manager, Research
and Cultural Affairs, NIAF for this Report.
After some prefacing remarks I will
accept his kind invitation to express my thoughts.
All of you have heard me agree with those who charge our Major Italian American Organizations for being remiss in the past for not being more proactive. They have however of late responded to those criticisms, and are making substantial progress.
Yes, they "stumble" periodically, when
they choose a DeNiro as an example of our best, or give "Tabloid" Tonelli
a platform, to do the very thing that they chide the
I-A lady later in their Report for
doing! Tonelli goes even further in accusing "activists" of being "whiners"
and "crybabies"!!! Chi ha?
We "stroke 'em" when they do well,
and we "poke 'em", when they don't.
But we don't give up on them (not
yet)!
They've got the BASICS: Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate the Positive!!!!!!
For those who have become disheartened and dropped out, or those who never thought the I-A Major Organizations as "worthwhile/relevant", I urge you to join, and make your opinions known, and help "guide" them on to a more productive path.
If you merely stand on the sidelines, silent, or merely "carping" to each other, you have rendered YOURSELF Impotent, and Irrelevant. As a NON member, you are NOT entitled to a voice.
JOIN, and offer your "input" and "feedback".
Otherwise, you are part of the Problem,
NOT the Solution!!!!!!!
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The Report that should be read in
it's entirety, in summary discusses:
Fighting the Negative: “The
Family,” "Mafia Doctor", Ragu, Rubbermaid, NPR,
Business Week, Radio Station KC101,
“Renbrook Revue”.
Emphasizing the Positive:Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone Day/Stamp, Italian American Studies Courses (University and High School)
NIAF is still your Voice in Washington:
As an extension of the Italian American delegation in the United States
Congress, NIAF Public Policy Forum.
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MY THOUGHTS........
NIAF's support in fighting Negative I-A Stereotypes is, and always will be GREATLY appreciated. However, is not NIAF of sufficient "stature" that it could approach the ADL to gain their assistance in such efforts, or even in giving NIAF Strategic and Tactical advice, OR even enlisting their assistance in "approaching" Hollywood???
And would not a Public Policy Forum with the ADL to discuss Mass Media and Negative Stereotyping of Italian Americans, be far more productive to the I-A Community than "addressing the important issues confronting the nation" (SEC debacles, & Mid East problems??). We have many OTHER Forums for that !!!!!
Regarding AIHA (American Italian Historical Association). Some of my best friends are members in current or past leadership positions. Some of my best friends are also incredibly disgruntled current or past members. I have been associated with AIHA off and on for 25 years.
I caution you to NOT raise your hopes too high about AIHA.
AIHA has long suffered from having a lack of vision, no short or long term defined objectives, a rudderless ship, that lurches from year to year, with self serving agendas, and not so subtle nepotism and depotism.
The topics presented at Conferences
reflects more the individual presenter's unique and narrow self interest,
and often times esoteric subjects, rather than those that would serve in
furtherance of the Italian American Community better understanding
of the I-A Experience.
Often there also seems to be an unusual emphasis on the perceived "imperfections" of the I-A Community, rather than reflective of a "pride", by seemingly "self loathing" Italians.
I will not even go into the recent reversion on the AIHA List Serv, to SEVERE "Censorship" of certain people and topics, that are seriously "out of favor" with the AIHA hierarchy, and yet comprise half the Mission Statement of the NIAF.
Attento!!!
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NIAF REPORT Spring 2003
FOCUS: IMAGE AND IDENTITY
The National Italian American Foundation
monitors the depiction of Italian
Americans in media sources including
commercials, movies, television shows
and magazine advertisements. NIAF
remains committed to fighting the negative
and inaccurate depictions of Italian
Americans while at the same time
highlighting the positive images of
Italian Americans and their numerous
contributions to the United States.
FIGHTING THE NEGATIVE
Our responses to the negative and inaccurate
depictions of Italian Americans are
met with a wide range of reactions
varying from sincere apologies to snide suggestions that we “lighten
up.” Here are some highlights since our last report.
Regrettably, it is more of the same.
The latest in the tradition of harmful and unflattering images of Italian
Americans on television is the ABC program,
The Family. This program taps into
old stereotypes relating to Italian Americans as unsophisticated, crude
buffoons. Even the title of the program, “The Family,” conjures a cliché
stereotypical image of Italians. A reality show, The Family did break some
new ground in that it is a show about “real” Italian Americans.
But the show is problematic because it portrays a false and misleading image of the Italian American community. In the United States, Italian Americans are represented across the broad socio-economic spectrum. However, objective analyses have demonstrated that the median Italian American family is in the top strata of income and economic achievements. Why is this reality not reflected on this “reality” television program? Moreover, was the ethnic identity of Joe Millionaire a seminal issue?
But the underlining problem remains
that the family in this program does not
represent the manner in which many
Italian Americans want to be portrayed on
television. This sentiment was conveyed
by NIAF and other Italian American
organizations that came together in
a coalition, spearheaded by Manny Alfano and the Italian American One Voice
Coalition, denouncing this program for singling out and ridiculing Italian
Americans. Strong criticism was also echoed by several journalists as well
as Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., who represents New Jersey’s 8th District.
Pascrell stated that this program, “can only add fuel to the fire of
perpetuating stereotypes about Italian Americans.”
So what else is on television? Mafia Doctor, a story about a successful surgeon who is secretly working for the Mafia, did not need to be criticized by the Italian American community. The television critics did it for us, blasting the show with resoundingly negative reviews. The only things that were worse than this poor excuse for television were the recent Ragu and Rubbermaid commercials which exhausted the tired stereotype of the Italian American woman clad in black and making sauce. Upon contacting these companies, NIAF was informed that they had not intended to offend any group and that their “market research” indicated that this was an appropriate advertising strategy. Needless to say, NIAF did not agree. By the way, do any Italian Americans actually purchase Ragu sauce?
National Public Radio (NPR) remains
a sore spot in the Italian American community. Not because they have run
34 stories about the HBO program, The Sopranos. Rather, because they refuse
to do a story about the real Italian American community; one which discusses
our positive impact upon the fabric of this nation rather than one that
continues to reduce us to the level of criminals and thugs. Italian American
activist and NIAF member Steve Antonuccio first broke this story, which
NIAF mentioned in a recent NIAF News Picks and Pans piece. He noted that
NPR’s coverage of the program was excessive, a view that was substantiated
by NPROmbudsman Jeffrey A. Dvorkin. Dvorkin publicly acknowledged that
NPR had “overstepped the bounds of what could be considered modest and
appropriate" and NPR had in effect, “rendered a disservice to all listeners
by not exploring the series’ impact beyond increasing cable subscriptions
for HBO.” NIAF has contacted them
repeatedly, asking that they expand
their horizons and move beyond this fictional program. We are still waiting.
For anyone interested, here's a link where story suggestions can be submitted
http://www.npr.org/about/pitch/.
NIAF scored a victory for Italian Americans in the business community. Business Week published an editorial by NIAF Executive Director John Salamone in response to a negative article about Joseph Nacchio, the former chairman and CEO of Qwest Communications. Apparently the magazine had to be reminded that it was not acceptable to describe business executives of Italian descent with Mafia innuendo and demeaning stereotypical references. They got the point.
NIAF went on the offensive and requested
that radio station KC101 in East Haven, Connecticut remove a distasteful
song, “Christmas in Staven,” from its airwaves. During the past Holiday
Season, this station created and aired this song, which depicts Italian
Americans in a particularly disparaging manner. NIAF noted a number of
complaints about the song from disturbed Italian Americans who were offended
by the song’s lyrics which associate Italian Americans with organized
crime and depict them as fools. NIAF requested the same respect and sensitivity
that the station would give to other ethnic, religious, and racial groups.
The station management claimed to be receptive to NIAF’s concerns but
contended nonetheless that the song was requested by a number of Italian
Americans as well. The East Haven Courier served as the forum where both
sides of the debate voiced their
opinion relating to the song in the
form of letters to the editors. Interestingly one Italian American woman
claimed that NIAF concerns were “laughable” and the result of “oversensitivity.”
This may lead one to question whether Italian Americans have lowered their
standard to such a degree that this type of flagrant mockery is so openly
accepted if not embraced. Chi sa?
NIAF recently joined forces with other
Italian American organizations to conduct a faculty training session at
the Renbrook School in West Hartford, Connecticut. The session was intended
to train teachers on the harmfulness of stereotyping of Italian Americans,
stemming from an incident which occurred during the “Renbrook Revue,”
an evening program of skits written and performed by Renbrook students,
in October 2002. One skit was viewed as particularly demeaning to Italian
Americans, which resulted in a tirade of criticisms directed at the school
and a demand that the school
encourage the faculty to become more
sensitive towards the Italian American
community.
EMPHASIZING THE POSITIVE
NIAF continues to believe that a proactive
measure to curb the defamation of
Italian Americans is through the promotion
of the best of Italian American
culture and heritage.
Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone is indicative of the sacrifice and contribution of Italian Americans to the United States. NIAF joined together with a number of other groups to recognize February 19 as John Basilone Day. John Basilone, the son of Italian immigrants, was the only enlisted Marine in World War II to receive the nation’s two highest military honors – the Navy Cross and the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. This year marks the 2nd anniversary of the observation of Basilone Day and among those honoring this special day includes Governor McGreevy of New Jersey and mayors of several cities across the nation. Currently, NIAF remains involved in the movement to have a stamp created in honor of him.
NIAF remains committed to promoting
Italian American Studies and will serve as a co-sponsor of the 36th annual
American Italian Historical Association (AIHA) conference which will be
held in November in Boca Raton, Florida. The program will include lectures
and discussions focused around this year’s topic, "Italian Americans
and the Arts & Culture. ”Scholars and Italian Americanists will deliver
papers dealing with all aspects of Italian Americans and their contributions
to the Arts, which
includes writing, singing, dancing,
painting, sculpture, cinema, storytelling, and theatre. NIAF is especially
pleased to partner with this outstanding organization which has served
as the vanguard of the Italian American Studies movement for the past 35
years. Anthony Tamburri, Chair of the Italian Department at Florida Atlantic
University and the 2002 Chair of the NIAF University Grants Committee,
is the newly elected President of AIHA. He will certainly provide
sound leadership to this impressive group.
Anyone wondering whether students are
interested in learning about the Italian American Experience should take
notice of this semester’s enrollment for the course the “Mafia Movies”
offered at Columbia University. The student enrollment in this course baffled
the faculty by breaking all existing enrollment records in the history
of this Ivy League Institution. There were 250 students attempting to enroll
in the 100 allotted spots for this course, compelling Professor Nelson
Moe to limit enrollment
with priority given to upper-classmen.
So what does “Mafia Movies” have
to do with Italian American Studies? Not much on the surface but with a
closer look we see the connection. The course description notes, “We
will explore questions of ethnicity and immigration and will compare the
different histories and cultural meanings of the Mafia in Italy and the
US. Special attention will be paid to the cultural construction of regional
and ethnic stereotypes.” This translates into the teaching of Italian
American history including such salient aspects as immigration, discrimination,
and an evaluation of the Italian nation that
they left.
This enrollment record illustrates
that there is a serious void throughout many of the nation’s college
and universities and that there is a need for courses in Italian American
Studies. Outside of Columbia University, many professors of Italian American
Studies have reported that their class enrollments are overflowing as well.
The problem remains that while successful at places where they are offered,
there are not enough schools throughout the nation offering such courses.
Italian American Studies needs to be a sweeping initiative and not just
localized to a few schools with
exceedingly high Italian American
demographics.
NIAF is emphasizing the need for Italian American Studies within high schools as well. NIAF is sponsoring a workshop "Teach The Teachers," at Harvard University this May. This will be a one-day course that focuses on Italian American studies so that these high school teachers can incorporate this information into their curriculums. Professors Carol Bonomo Albright and Elvira De Fabio, two instructors at Harvard University Extension will conduct the workshop.
NIAF IS STILL YOUR VOICE IN WASHINGTON
NIAF, for nearly three decades, has
served as an extension of the Italian American delegation in the United
States Congress. The current Italian American delegation of the 108th Congress
includes 29 members, six United States Senators and 23 U.S. Representatives,
who trace their ancestry to Italy. Representatives Jim Oberstar and John
Mica are serving as the Co- Chairs of the Delegation, replacing recently
retired Congressman John J. LaFalce. Approximately seventy additional Members
of Congress are Associate Members of the Italian American Congressional
Delegation because of the proportion of Italian Americans in their districts
and/or their interest in
the Italian American community.
The first event of the Italian American
delegation of the 108th Congress was the recent NIAF Public Policy Forum
held on Capitol Hill in March. New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Chairman
and CEO Dick Grasso gave an impressive lecture
on the challenges facing the stock
market. After being warmly introduced by
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi,
Mr. Grasso talked optimistically about
the history of the NYSE and how it
has persevered through many challenges
including the Great Depression, the
Second World War, and most recently the
9-11 tragedy. After Mr. Grasso’s
talk, he fielded questions from an exclusive
audience which included notable business
and government leaders and numerous
Members of Congress. Some highlights
of the audience included Senator Hillary
Clinton, Senator Frank Lautenberg,
Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Trent Lott,
Representative Charles Rangel, and
Representative Mike Ferguson. This event
also served as an opportunity to welcome
the newest members of the Italian
American Congressional delegation:
Representatives Rick Renzi, Tim Ryan, and
Virginia Brown-Waite.
NIAF Public Policy Forum events are held several times a year featuring a prominent keynote speaker addressing the important issues confronting the nation. These special events are sponsored by NIAF in conjunction with the Italian American Congressional delegation. Other recent NIAF Public Policy Forum events have included General Anthony Zinni, United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, discussing the precarious Israel – Palestine issue and Giovanni Prezioso, General Counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission, discussing the recent financial dealings of companies such as Enron and Worldcom, which ended sadly for many investors.
Italian Americans continue to excel
in many diverse areas and to contribute
immensely to the United States. Together
let’s spread the good news of what
we are doing.
We welcome your thoughts. Please send comments to:
John Marino
Manager, Research and Cultural Affairs
National Italian American Foundation
1860 19th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
Direct: (202) 939 - 3115
email: jmarino@niaf.org
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