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Image & Identity
Image & Identity >> Picks & Pans >> Winter 2004
THUMBS UP TO:
Coca-Cola for pulling the film, Mafia Movie Madness, from theaters around the country. The film by graduate student Jordan Ross won the 2003 Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker Award, but was filled with harmful Italian American stereotypes and imagery. NIAF, along with numerous other Italian American groups including the Order Sons of Italy and many concerned individuals, petitioned Coca Cola to remove the film from theaters and live up to their commitment to ethnic sensitivity. Contact Douglas N. Draft, Chairman & CEO, at The Coca Cola Company, 1 Coca Cola Plaza, Atlanta, Georgia 30313.
John Discepolo, television sportscaster at Fox 5 in New York, for refusing to go on the air as a stereotypical Italian American character named "Guido." Mr. Discepolo, proud of his heritage, notified his news director that he felt the character was offensive to Italian Americans, a well-educated group that does not want to be portrayed in such a demeaning manner. Contact FOX 5 WNYW at 205 East 67th Street, New York, New York, 10021 or at 212-452-5555.
Richard Capozzola for his book, Five Centuries of Italian American History, that aims to promote the numerous contributions of Italian Americans, many unknown, to the United States. The book includes, "a chronology of events, little known facts, and stories about people who contributed to the greatness of America." Capozzola, a former high school principal in New York, is an activist in the Italian American community who seeks to end the negative stereotyping of Italian Americans by promoting a positive image. For copies contact him at 407-862-6880 or ameritalguy@cfl.rr.com.
Joseph A. Migliozzi, Jr. for his letter to the editor of the Virginian Pilot regarding the newspaper's lackadaisical treatment of the historic figures Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti as simple criminals without pointing out the circumstances surrounding their infamous trial and subsequent execution. Mr. Migliozzi accurately pointed out that in 1977 then-Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis exonerated the two men and declared that any stigma be removed from their names. Contact the Virginian Pilot at P.O. Box 449, Norfolk, VA 23501-0449.
Louis Renzi of Florida for writing the Palm Beach Post and pointing out the harmful ethnic slurs on its website's message board following the 2003 World Series that featured the New York Yankees and the Florida Marlins. Some overzealous Marlins fans had attacked the ethnic composition of their rival's fans. Contact the newspaper at http://www.palmbeachpost.com or The Palm Beach Post, P.O. Box 24700, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405.
Jakob Schiller, of the Berkeley Daily Planet newspaper, for writing about the community's concern over Urban Outfitters' new line of t-shirts that play on stereotypes associated with various ethnic and religious groups including Italian Americans. Urban Outfitters, a clothing and boutique chain, is no stranger to controversy having also produced the highly insensitive board game "Ghettopoly." Contact Urban Outfitters, Inc. at 1809 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
THUMBS DOWN:
Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough president, for responding to the Italian American community's concern over the "Leaving Brooklyn Fugheddaboudit" signs in Brooklyn, New York with "get a life!" NIAF, along with numerous other groups, asked Markowitz to remove these signs because of their negative stereotypical connotations. Markowitz's comment reflects either a clear disregard of ethnic stereotyping or perhaps a lack of understanding regarding the issue. He can be contacted at 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Star 93.7 radio in Boston for airing the offensive song, "The Twelve Days of Guido Christmas," which depicts Italian Americans in a particularly unflattering manner. Contact STAR 93.7 / WQSX-FM Entercom Boston at 20 Guest Street 3rd Floor, Brighton, MA 02135 or call 617-779-5300.
VendStock for their figure collectables series, "The Palermos," which is described as "Italian mafia" and is being advertised as "the family from Little Italy." The collectables are the latest in the company's "Homies Series," which includes figures of other stereotyped ethnic and racial groups portrayed in the most demeaning manner. These collectables are also being sold over the internet on eBay. See www.vendstock.com
Special Thanks to: Manny Alfano, Dominic Candelero, Donna Mancini, David Ferraro, Deborah Thompson, Scott Ramsey, David Ferrero, Joana Daidone Wertz, Jim Mancuso, Serafina Magni, Joan Alosi Alterman, John Simone, Marie Caldiero, Madeline Pafundi, Enrico Pelitti, Mary Conolmagno, Richard Torrenzano, Peter Maida, Nicholas Feliccia, Joanna Romano, and Jerry DiRazzo.
Your clippings, reports, and concerns can also be sent to:
The National Italian American Foundation
Attention: John Marino
1860 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Or by email at: anti-defamation@niaf.org.
If you would like to receive NIAF's occasional report, Focus: Image and Identity, which addresses anti-defamation issues, please email John Marino at jmarino@niaf.org.
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