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Image & Identity
Image & Identity >> Picks & Pans >> Spring 2003
THUMBS UP TO:
Manny Alfano and the Italian American One Voice Coalition for spearheading a joint statement, that NIAF signed on to, denouncing the program, The Family. This show is the latest in the tradition of harmful and unflattering representations of Italian Americans on television. It singles out and ridicules Italian Americans while also portraying a false and misleading image of the Italian American community. Contact Manny at Eaa097@aol.com.
Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr., for defending the image and integrity of Italian Americans. He noted that the program The Family, "can only add fuel to the fire of perpetuating stereotypes about Italian Americans." Pascrell represents New Jersey's 8th District. Contact Congressman Pascrell at 1722 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 or by phone at 202-225-5751.
Business Week for publishing an editorial by NIAF Executive Director John Salamone, who responded to a damaging 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. Contact Business Week at http://www.businessweek.com/contact.htm.
Renbrook School in West Hartford, Connecticut for allowing NIAF, along with other Italian American organizations, to conduct a faculty training session aimed at raising teacher awareness of the harmful impact of stereotyping Italian Americans. This training session was deemed necessary when an audience protested a skit written and performed by Renbrook students in October 2002 that was particularly demeaning to Italian Americans. Contact Renbrook School, 2865 Albany Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117-1899.
Constance Notarino-Pullman for writing a letter to the editor of the East Haven Courier. In the letter, she criticized radio station KC101 for airing the defamatory song, "Christmas in Staven," during the past holiday season. She noted that these "types of slurs, representative of ill-conceived Italian jokes, appear too often in our news media."
Wayne State University for reconsidering their proposal to remove the Italian Language programs from the school. NIAF, along with many other concerned individuals and organizations, stressed the need to maintain these valuable programs. Contact the Board of Governors, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202.
Henry A. Johnson, student at Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, for protesting a posted advertisement for a Resident Assistant position in the housing department that depicted the Tony Soprano character asking for "Someone who can get the job done…with leadership abilities, enthusiasm, and, ya know, a little respect." The school removed the ad.
William Clay Ford and the Detroit Lions of the National Football League for hiring Coach Steve Mariucci, a proven winner and the best candidate for the job.
William Clay Ford and the Detroit Lions of the National Football League for hiring Coach Steve Mariucci, a proven winner and the best candidate for the job.
James Woods, actor, for insisting that his depiction of Rudy Giuliani in the recent television movie, "Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story," positively reflect the former New York City Mayor. Woods insisted that the script, while remaining accurate, not overemphasize unflattering aspects of the mayor's past and instead address his many achievements and unparalleled leadership.
THUMBS DOWN:
Mafia Doctor, a story about a successful surgeon who is secretly working for the mafia. Another recycling of the mafia stereotype, television critics widely criticized the show and offered resoundingly negative reviews. Contact CBS Television at audsvcs@cbs.com.
National Public Radio (NPR) for keeping the spotlight on the HBO program The Sopranos (they have run 34 programs about the show) instead of focusing on the many positive aspects of the real Italian American community. Italian American activist and NIAF member Steve Antonuccio first broke this story, which NIAF mentioned in a recent Picks and Pans piece. NIAF has contacted NPR repeatedly, asking that they expand their horizons and move beyond this fictional program. We are still waiting. Story suggestions can be submitted at http://www.npr.org/about/pitch.
Special Thanks to: Manny Alfano, Dominic Candelero, Andrea di Tommaso, and Steve Antonuccio.
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