FW: [I_A_One_Voice] Digest Number 731

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 01:30:54 -0000
From: "dege59"
Subject: The Alfano Digest, June 28, 04

1. CARVAGGIO LINKED TO THE SOPRANOS

2. SHARK TALE, WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

3. ITALY'S PARMALAT SCANDAL

4. BOOOKS FOR ITALIAN AMERICAN CHILDREN

5. ITALIAN AMERICANS NOT A MINORITY

6. MEN OF THE CLOTH PRESENTATION



CARVAGGIO LINKED TO THE SOPRANOS

"No Wonder People Think Caravaggio is a Guy on the Sopranos", this
was the Americans for the Arts ad title in the June 20 issue of the
New York Times. The ad went on with more defamatory statements not
only connecting Caravaggio, the great Italian Baroque artist to the
Sopranos, but to Mario Puzo's novels as well. "But does the average
kid on the street even know who Caravaggio is? Fuhgedaboudit." Was
another ill chosen phrase used in the ad. However the most
offensive was the caption under a portrait of Caravaggio
reading, "Honestly, he wouldn't last ten minutes on the Sopranos."

Thanks to Professor Luigi Bonifini who spotted the ad there was a
huge response from the ever uniting Italian American community.
Letters of protest were sent by NIAF, OSIA, IAOV, UNOCO and Italian
American Pride which sent a letter containing this excerpt; "Let's
give you the substitution test and see if you'd have printed this
ad: Replace Michelangelo Mersi da Caravaggio with Marc Chagall,
a.k.a. Mark Zakharovich Shagal and use the Yiddish phrase of "oi
vai" instead of fuhgedaboudit. Rewrite the caption to
read. "Honestly, he wouldn't last ten minutes as Shylock in
Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice." How do you think the Jewish
American community would have reacted?

We urge all who read about this ad to join our protest and ask for
the ad to be pulled.

Please contact: Nina Ozlu Vice President, Government and Public
Affairs at: nozlu@artsusa.org

You can also call to register your protest at: 212 223 2787 or 202
371 2830

Or write to:
Robert Lynch, Executive
Director
Americans for the Arts
1000 Vermont Ave NW - Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20005


SHARK TALE, WHAT YOU CAN DO THE HELP

Message from OSIA

Make your voice heard with a short letter to the opinion leaders and
decision-makers below. Stress that Shark Tale will pass on damaging
stereotypes of Italian Americans as violent gangsters to
impressionable children. Keep your letter to one page. Be careful
not to offend any other ethnic group to make your point!

. Write to your local elementary school principal, urging him
or her not to allow DreamWorks' curriculum to be used in the
classroom.

. Send a Letter to the Editor to your local daily and weekly
newspapers, expressing your concern about the negative ethnic
stereotyping that children will learn in Shark Tale

. Contact your U.S. Congressional representative and two U.S.
senators, asking them to criticize Shark Tale from the floor of the
House and Senate. [To contact your representative or senators, call
202/224 3121.]

. Write to the CEOs of DreamWorks' marketing partnerships, telling
them you will not buy any product of theirs that promotes Shark
Tale. [See below.]

NOTE: This is the most serious threat to our dignity and to our
children. If the Shark Tale film is allowed to be released as
presently scripted the consequences will go far beyond the damage
already done by the Sopranos. We implore all to become actively
involved in this campaign and to speak out against this impending
film before it is released. Please take a few minutes to contact at
least one company on the following listing.

Shark Tale Marketing Partners

Brad Blum - Chief Executive Officer, Burger King Corporation 5505 Blue
Lagoon Drive Miami, FL 33126

Stephen W. Sanger - Chief Executive Officer, General Mills, Inc P.O. Box
1113 Minneapolis, MN 55440-1113

Douglas N. Daft
Chief Executive Officer
The Coca-Cola Company
P.O. Box 1734
Atlanta, GA 30918

Scott Livengood- Chief Executive Officer, Krispy Kreme
PO Box 83
Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Rhoda Olsen-President and Chief Operating Officer, Great Clips Great
Clips, Inc. 7700 France Ave, Suite 425 Minneapolis, MN 55435

Carleton S. (Carly) Fiorina-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
HP
3000 Hanover Street
Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185









ITALY'S PARMALAT SCANDAL

Although it will be more than a year before those involved in one of
the biggest cases of corporate fraud in European history are brought
to trial, the impact of the Parmalat scandal can be seen throughout
the economic landscape. Food giant Parmalat, Italy's eighth-largest
industrial empire, collapsed late last year amid fraud accusations
against top company executives and scandal involving several major
players from the world of international finance.

Several changes in governmental oversight of business practices in
Italy are taking shape, all allegedly intended to "clean up" the
system which led to shoddy practices. But while the changes will
likely make Italy more palatable to international finance, an
innocent party-the international working class, beginning with
15,000 Parmalat employees who face the loss of their jobs-will be
the ones punished.

Note. The only Parmalat employees who have been creating the any
real wealth for the company are the ones who will be let go.


BOOOKS FOR ITALIAN AMERICAN CHILDREN

Books for children on Italian/Italian American themes are available
but not widely distributed on the shelves of bookstores, libraries
or even in our homes. The influence of children's literature upon
the psyches of the young is known to be significant. The books have
to be present and be used in order to effect any positive influence
upon the children. The positive images of Italian heritage can be
learned during childhood via books read to them at bedtime, picture
and resource books being available on the shelves of their homes and
libraries, and giving them gift books for birthdays and holidays.
Positive self-esteem about their Italian Heritage can help children
withstand the barrage of negative ethnic stereotyping in the media
they will encounter later on.
For more information and a listing of recommended books please go
to: http://www.sonsofitalypa.org/booklist.htm


ITALIAN AMERICANS NOT A MINORITY

In the Philadelphia case of Joseph Ricco (real name Joseph Gavel)
six Italian Americans were excluded from serving because of their
ethnicity. Although protested, the court ruled that Italian
Americans could be excluded since they are not considered to have
minority status. Please read the following and come to your own
conclusion.

Ethnicity and race: General indexes

Typically, members of a minority group share a sense of solidarity
and a desire to preserve their culture, traditions, religion, or
language. A minority group can sometimes be a numerical majority in
a minority group position. Minority group status is not a matter of
numbers; it is determined by the presence of distinguishing features
such as discrimination. Central features characterizing a minority
group are:
. The members of a minority group suffer various disadvantages
at the hand of another group;
. A minority group is identified by group characteristics that
are socially visible;
. A minority is a self-conscious group with a strong sense
of "oneness";
. People usually do not become members of a minority group
voluntarily; they are born into it;
. By choice or necessity, members of a minority group tend to
marry within the group."


MEN OF THE CLOTH PRESENTATION

The Genius of Vicki Vasilopoulos was clearly evident at the private
screening of her documentary, "Men of the Cloth". The work in
progress was presented at the Coccia Institute for the Italian
Experience in America at the Montclair State University in New
Jersey.

It is indeed a credit to Ms, Vasilopolous' talent for taking a
mundane topic as tailoring and turning it into a work of art. The
documentary was filmed in the United States and in Italy and is
being funded by grants and donations. NIAF is a principal grantor.
Additional funding is needed to complete this story of a fading art. The
film is expected to be aired across the U.S and Europe. PBS is
a likely outlet for this splendid documentary.

FW: H-ITAM Digest - 25 Jun 2004 to 27 Jun 2004 (#2004-153)

-----Original Message-----
From: H-NET List on Italian-American History and Culture
[mailto:H-ITAM@H-NET.MSU.EDU] On Behalf Of Automatic digest processor
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2004 11:11 PM
To: Recipients of H-ITAM digests
Subject: H-ITAM Digest - 25 Jun 2004 to 27 Jun 2004 (#2004-153)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: No IA theatre companies in USA?
Date: Sat, 26 Jun 2004 08:13:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Lawrence Tamanini
To: D-Candeloro@govst.edu



The question WHY there is an absence of Italaian
American theatre companies is a good question. When
you consider what is taking place on the boards right
now, it adds to your question ten fold.

I have stated and have proved beyound a shadow of a
doubt that Italian Americans do not support their
artists. The only artists that receive any reconition
are ones portraying Italian Americans in the most
negative light. (Please, don't waste any time trying
to prove this statement wrong.) It all comes down to
that the powers that be make TONS of money !
Furthermore, the taste of Italian Americans has now
sunk to a low that is equal to, or worst then , the
general population.

As far as the Italian American organizations are
concerned they are equally at fault and their taste
for the arts is almost non exsistent. Yes, every year
they'll honor some flat singing tenor but 99% of the
time they, the leaders of these organizations, don't
have a clue and it gives me the impression that
frankly, they don't care. Yes, they'll wait and come
out with statements against the portrayal of Italian
Americans as gangsters et al . Stick their hands in
their pockets....please, thats whats truly needed but
then they have to form a committee composed of people
whose knowledge of the arts can be written on the back
of a match book cover.

If the past actions of Italian Americans and the
organizations are any indicator then the future for
Italian American artists as it pertains to FINANCIAL
support from their own Italian Americans community
will be as it is...lip service only, whinning about
the explotation of Italian Americans in films, the
theatre and litature.

Lawrence E. Tamanini
host
"THE ITALIAN AMERICAN HOUR"

WNWR 1540 AM
on the web WNWR.com
SATURDAY 5:00pm

WBCB 1490 AM
on the web WBCB.com
SUNDAY 12:07 pm




--- Dominic Candeloro wrote:
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: a message from LindaAnn Loschiavo, who
> writes for FRA NOI, etc.
> Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 20:06:27 EDT
> From: NonstopNY@aol.com
> To: undisclosed-recipients:;
>
>
>
> .
> There is no Italian American Theatre group in the
> entire USA. Not one.
> Irish Americans have 8 drama non-profits that help
> Brian Friel, et al to
> win Tony Awards.
> Jewish non-profits have more than 70 groups that
> fund + support theatre.
> [One group funded plays by 66 Jewish dramatists last
> year.]
> Blacks have over 80 non-profits dedicated to theatre opportunities for
> African-Americans.
> Hispanics have more than 90 groups to fund + support
> Latino performers +
> theatre.
>
> My article, that analyzes why other ethnic groups
> win all the writing
> awards and lists 20 of the major writing awards
> that NO Italian
> American author has ever won [since 1917], will
> appear soon in FRA NOI
> [published in Chicago]. Please tell colleagues to
> order and read my
> article. (Subscriptions to FRA NOI are encouraged
> and appreciated.)
>
> Since not one Italian Amer organization has seen
> fit to dedicate
> itself to encouraging playwrights, this is what gets
> produced in New
> York City instead:
> NOW IN ITS 8TH YEAR!
> "MURDERED by the MOB" Has an offer you
> can't refuse!
>
> "It's a HIT! No pun intended."
> FOX TV
>
> "...this interactive murder mystery is obviously a
> hit by any
> definition... funny and worth seeing..."
> ZAGAT Theater Guide
> .
> MURDERED BY THE MOB is an interactive mystery comedy
> dinner theater. NOW
> IN ITS 8TH YEAR! Mingle with mobsters and molls,
> meet the new "Boss of
> Bosses", break bread and heads with Wiseguys and
> Mafia princesses. Sure
> you'll be rubbing elbows with goodfellas and ducking
> bullets over
> Broadway, but it won't stop the fun!
>
> Eat, Drink, Dance, and be Merry, for tonight you
> could die... laughing!
> The two and three hour comedy mystery features a 3
> course sit down
> dinner, dancing with a professional DJ, and
> surprises at every turn.
> Aaay!
>
> >
> > Aaay! You even have the chance to solve the case
> and win some
> > fabulous prizes. There are seven prizes in every
> performance,
> > including a collector's item any crime solver
> would cherish and
> > "Academy Awards" for the best actor & actress
> chosen from the audience.
>
>
> Arno's Restaurant
>
> >
> > $59.00 per ticket includes Dinner, Dancing, &Show.
> >
> > Special promotion:
> > Through August receive a $10.00 discount on . . .
>

An all-expenses-paid trip allowed an Italian American University student to learn more about his culture

------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
University student Michael Taormina was one of only 40 students in the
nation to qualify for the National Italian American Foundation program,
which sent him on a two-week trip to Italy with all expenses paid.
Erik R. Bishoff Photo Editor
Student explores heritage in Italy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------

An all-expenses-paid trip allowed an Italian American University student
to learn more about his culture
Reese Lee
Freelance Reporter
June 24, 2004


Many college students can't afford a trip overseas, so one option is to
win an all-expenses-paid trip, which is what University student Michael
Taormina did.
The sophomore physics major visited Italy from May 23 to June 5 on a
trip sponsored by the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) under
its Gift of Discovery program.

"It was an opportunity that presented itself," Taormina said of his
lucky break.

NIAF gave Taormina and 39 other Italian Americans10 days in the Campania
region of Italy, touring famous sites like the ruins of Pompeii and
Paestum. Taormina then stayed in Rome for several days.

The itinerary included meetings with students at a high school and
technical institute in Salerno, visits to Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi
Coast and its ceramic producers, as well as an intensive Italian lesson.
Taormina was selected to travel with the group after NIAF reviewed his
background, academics, letters of recommendation, and essays he
submitted.

Brock Olivo, NIAF Assistant of Educational Programs and chaperone of
Taormina's group, said Taormina "obviously attracted someone's eye and
got a high grade."

Taormina said he wanted to continue touring Italy, but had to return to
Eugene for spring-term finals.

"That was the worst part about the trip," he said.

Taormina said the best part of the trip was the group he traveled with.

"There are 40 kids in a group, and you have to do everything together,
so you have to get to know them pretty fast," he said. "It was a cool
experience."

He also liked going with people who know the country.

"It's a happy medium, as opposed to if you had gone by yourself or with
a commercial tour group," he said.

Prior to this trip, Taormina only knew about his Italian heritage
through his family and relatives.

"Growing up in a small town in Eastern Oregon, you don't get a big
Italian community, like in New York," he said.

Taormina recalled an amusing story from his trip.

"Two other students and I had strayed from the group, and we started
talking to these three kids," he said. "Suddenly their mother and
grandmother came out and dragged us into their house to eat."

Olivo remembers the incident.

"We were in this little mountain town, and we had just exited a church,"
Olivo said. "There was a long walk through the town to the bus, and
Michael and two other kids were literally dragged into a house!"

He added, "I opened the door and there was a table full of food and wine
and cheese and kids, and there in the middle of it all was Michael and
two other students, stuffing their faces."

Olivo also said Taormina got a lot out of the trip.

"Michael is a shining example of an Italian American," Olivo said. "He
was [mature] beyond his years, receptive to the speakers and tour
guides. He soaked it up and took it in." Rich Santoro, NIAF Manager of
Youth Programs, said applicants have to show an interest in their
heritage.

"The goal of the program is to bond Italian American students with their
heritage by bringing them to Italy, to show them the roots of where
their heritage lies," he said.

More information about NIAF can be found at .


------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
Reese Lee is a freelance reporter for the Emerald.

American Advertising Federation's - Mosaic Principles & Recommended Practices

It's fun reading through this piece and wondering how they Itlian-Americans got left out.


Dominic

Caravggio Ad w/gratuitous Sopranos reference

Sounds like more unimaginative ad writers trying to ride the coattails
of TV darling "The Sopranos".


Dominic

-----Original Message-----
From: ladolcevita_italianinelmondo@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:ladolcevita_italianinelmondo@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 5:36 AM
To: ladolcevita_italianinelmondo@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ladolcevita_italianinelmondo] Digest Number 1025

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 07:09:01 -0500
From: "Ben "
Subject: RE: More on the Caravaggio Ad in the New York Times

Salve.
Does anyone know if the ad in question can be seen online or can you
post the exact text? It would make it easier to comment.

Grazie.

Ben Lawton

-----Original Message-----
From: l.bonaffini@worldnet.att.net [mailto:l.bonaffini@worldnet.att.net]

Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 7:40 PM
To: ladolcevita_italianinelmondo@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ladolcevita_italianinelmondo] More on the Caravaggio Ad in the
New York Times


I am posting my entire exchange with Nina Ozlu, Vice President,
Government and Public Affairs, Americans for the Arts. As it is
painfully clear,she frankly admits that it would be impossible to use
negative stereotypes for other groups, but does not explain why it is
all right to do so for Italian Americans.

If you would like to write to her, her address is nozlu@artsusa.org

Luigi Bonaffini



I was frankly appalled today when I came across your Caravaggio ad in
the New York Times.

It is not enough for Italian Americans to be constantly bombarded by
Hollywood and the media with the usual vulgar mobster stereotype, now we
are getting it from an organization like Americans for the Arts. Mind
you, I am not implying any malicious intent on your part, but this ad is
misguided, ill-conceived, and downright offensive. I am assuming that
you meant to suggest that not all Italian names are mob connected, and
that Italian culture is much more than that. Considering the fact that
only an infinitesimally small percentage of Italian Americans are
involved with organized crime (0.002%, as close to 0% as you can get),
it is really very hard to understand why an ad about Caravaggio by a
cultural organization should have to mention the Sopranos. And if that
were not enough, you mention Mario Puzo's novels and, finally, you
administer the coup de grâce, scraping the bottom of the barrel, with
"Fuhgedaboudit".

No matter what you intentions might have been, the only effect your ad
will have will be to reinforce the ugly stereotype of the Italian
mobster and the fact that if you talk about Italians, then you must
mention the Sopranos and the Mafia.

This ad was a terrible mistake and you need to pull it immediately.



Mr. Bonaffini,

We've received wonderful praise for our ad series, including several
Italian-American organizations. The point of the ad is that most
Americans don't know who the greatest artists in the world are and by
using pop references through word association, it really helps to make
the point. Our ad campaign won the highest prize by the National
Association of Newspapers for our arts education campaign.

This campaign has been in place for 3 years and you are the first person
to have interpreted the ad as an offense towards Italian-Americans,
which clearly was not our intention.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. All opinions are welcomed.

Sincerely,

Nina Ozlu

Vice President, Government and Public Affairs

Americans for the Arts



Dear Ms. Ozlu,

I want to thank you for your prompt reply.

Again, I do not in any way question your intentions, only the choices
made in the ad, and the need to use negative stereotypes to make the
point. To be more blunt, if this had been an ad about Isaac Stern, would
you have said : "No wonder people think Isaac Stern is a Jewish
Shylock"? How about a Spanish singer? "No wonder people think Amancio
Prada is a kingpin" If the answer is no, as I think it is, then you need
to ask yourself why it is all right to use negative stereotypes when
Italians are involved.

Since you say that several Italian American organizations praised the ad, I will post it on a couple of Italian American forums and we'll see
what they say.

Luigi Bonaffini




Actually, you should take a look at our entire print ad series. We do a double play on artists' names through similar sounding pop references. I think you'll then see how the examples you bring up would never happen
for MANY reasons.

Martha Graham - snack cracker?

Louis Armstrong - 1st man to walk on the moon?

Man Ray - a poisonous jellyfish?

Tchaikovsky - gesundheit?

Thanks for getting back to me. Nina





I'm afraid the examples you give confirm without a doubt what I said to you. They are not similar sounding pop references, as you suggest, because they are harmless wordplay and not one of them alludes to an ugly negative stereotype, except for the Caravaggio ad. You rightly say
that the examples I gave you would never happen for MANY reasons, and I of course agree. It is no doubt unthinkable to use Jewish or Latino stereotypes, and rightly so because they are vulgar and offensive, yet you could not think of a single reason why using the mobster stereotype
is inappropriate.

Thanks again for your response.

Luigi Bonaffini



At this point, we are going to have to kindly agree to disagree. My
points are not changing your mind and your points are not changing my
mind. The only thing we do agree on is that there was no intention to
offend Italian-Americans.

Thanks, Nina

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 14:40:39 -0000
From: l.bonaffini@worldnet.att.net
Subject: Picture of Caravaggio Ad

I have put a picture of the Cravaggio ad on my website.

Luigi Bonaffini

______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 13:55:29 -0500
From: "Ben "
Subject: RE: Caravaggio Ad in the New York Times

The ad is both entirely typical and absolutely outrageous. Your letter says it all, but nothing will change until the perpetrators are hurt financially. In the meantime I trust the various Italian American local and national organizations must bury Nina Ozlu and American for the Arts
with letters of protest.

Saluti cordiali,

Ben Lawton



-----Original Message-----
From: l.bonaffini@worldnet.att.net [mailto:l.bonaffini@worldnet.att.net]

Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:41 AM
To: ladolcevita_italianinelmondo@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ladolcevita_italianinelmondo] Picture of Caravaggio Ad

I have put a picture of the Cravaggio ad on my website. You can get it
at http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/caravaggio.jpg

Luigi Bonaffini


________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 16:58:01 -0500
From: "Ben "
Subject: CARAVAGGIO AD IN NY TIMES

Dear Ms Ozlu,

Professor Bonaffini and Mr. Fiore have posted on a number of Italian American message boards their correspondence with you regarding the Caravaggio ad that ran in the New York Times of June 20 (see below). Your replies to Professor Bonaffini, culminating in “we are going to have to kindly agree to disagree,” are simply not acceptable. If you honestly don’t understand what is wrong with your replies, go see Spike Lee’s BAMBOOZLED. He has done a wonderful job of lampooning replies such
as yours. While I would like to believe that your campaign and your replies were simply naïve errors, the public affairs person in the film is clearly revealed to be deliberately and programmatically racist. But even you, however subconsciously, reveal that you are aware of the
defamatory nature of the ad when you write “I think you'll then see how the examples you bring up would never happen for MANY reasons” in response to Professor Bonaffini’s suggestion that an analogous campaign about Isaac Stern might say “"No wonder people think Isaac Stern is a
Jewish Shylock"? How about a Spanish singer? "No wonder people think Amancio Prada is a [drug] kingpin."” Among the “Many reasons” for which the defamation of Jewish Americans, Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, etc. “would never happen” is that there is
no doubt that Americans for the Arts would have to grovel as it begged for forgiveness and that you would be instantly terminated.

I join Professor Bonaffini and Mr. Fiore in inviting you to pull the ad immediately. I also join them in asking you identify the Italian-American organizations that have heaped “wonderful praise” on
your ad series and to share their comments with us.

Cordially,

Ben Lawton


New York Times, Sunday June 20th

NO WONDER PEOPLE THINK CARAVAGGIO IS A GUY ON THE SOPRANOS.


It's hard to believe. Here's a 16th century Baroque master whose bold naturalistic painting style first created a sensation, then a movement, A guy whose life was filled with the turbulence and excess of more than a dozen Mario Pugo novels. This guy who, while troubled, ultimately found redemption and immortality in his art. But does the average kid on the street even know
who Caravaggio is?

Fuhgedaboudit.

Too bad. Especially when you consider how much our children ca earn from the conflicted life of a great artist like Michelangelo Caravaggio.

Hee grew up in less than ideal circumstances. Most of his family died in the plague. Much of his youth was misspent on the mean streets of Rome And as a young artist he struggled for years a living. He was angry. Yet the angry contrast' between light and darkness in his work is the very
reason why it now hangs in countless museums around the world. If nothing else, it's a case study of the importance of having art as an outlet. Unfortunately, one we're fast removing from our kids' lives.

(Caption of a painting by Caravaggio)
Honestly, he wouldn't last ten minutes on the Sopranos




I am posting my entire exchange with Nina Ozlu, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, Americans for the Arts. As it is painfully clear,she frankly admits that it would be impossible to use negative stereotypes for other groups, but does not explain why it is all right to do so for Italian Americans. If you would like to write to her, her address is nozlu@artsusa.org

Luigi Bonaffini



I was frankly appalled today when I came across your Caravaggio ad in the New York Times.

It is not enough for Italian Americans to be constantly bombarded by Hollywood and the media with the usual vulgar mobster stereotype, now we are getting it from an organization like Americans for the Arts. Mind you, I am not implying any malicious intent on your part, but this ad is misguided, ill-conceived, and downright offensive. I am assuming that you meant to suggest that not all Italian names are mob connected, and that Italian culture is much more than that. Considering the fact that
only an infinitesimally small percentage of Italian Americans are involved with organized crime (0.002%, as close to 0% as you can get), it is really very hard to understand why an ad about Caravaggio by a cultural organization should have to mention the Sopranos. And if that
were not enough, you mention Mario Puzo's novels and, finally, you administer the coup de grâce, scraping the bottom of the barrel, with "Fuhgedaboudit".

No matter what you intentions might have been, the only effect your ad will have will be to reinforce the ugly stereotype of the Italian mobster and the fact that if you talk about Italians, then you must mention the Sopranos and the Mafia.

This ad was a terrible mistake and you need to pull it immediately.



Mr. Bonaffini,

We've received wonderful praise for our ad series, including several Italian-American organizations. The point of the ad is that most Americans don't know who the greatest artists in the world are and by using pop references through word association, it really helps to make the point. Our ad campaign won the highest prize by the National Association of Newspapers for our arts education campaign.

This campaign has been in place for 3 years and you are the first person to have interpreted the ad as an offense towards Italian-Americans, which clearly was not our intention.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. All opinions are welcomed.

Sincerely,

Nina Ozlu

Vice President, Government and Public Affairs

Americans for the Arts



Dear Ms. Ozlu,

I want to thank you for your prompt reply.

Again, I do not in any way question your intentions, only the choices made in the ad, and the need to use negative stereotypes to make the point. To be more blunt, if this had been an ad about Isaac Stern, would you have said : "No wonder people think Isaac Stern is a Jewish Shylock"? How about a Spanish singer? "No wonder people think Amancio Prada is a kingpin" If the answer is no, as I think it is, then you need to ask yourself why it is all right to use negative stereotypes when
Italians are involved.

Since you say that several Italian American organizations praised the
ad, I will post it on a couple of Italian American forums and we'll see
what they say.

Luigi Bonaffini




Actually, you should take a look at our entire print ad series. We do a double play on artists' names through similar sounding pop references. I think you'll then see how the examples you bring up would never happen for MANY reasons.

Martha Graham - snack cracker?

Louis Armstrong - 1st man to walk on the moon?

Man Ray - a poisonous jellyfish?

Tchaikovsky - gesundheit?

Thanks for getting back to me. Nina





I'm afraid the examples you give confirm without a doubt what I said to you. They are not similar sounding pop references, as you suggest, because they are harmless wordplay and not one of them alludes to an ugly negative stereotype, except for the Caravaggio ad. You rightly say
that the examples I gave you would never happen for MANY reasons, and I of course agree. It is no doubt unthinkable to use Jewish or Latino stereotypes, and rightly so because they are vulgar and offensive, yet you could not think of a single reason why using the mobster stereotype
is inappropriate.

Thanks again for your response.

Luigi Bonaffini



At this point, we are going to have to kindly agree to disagree. My points are not changing your mind and your points are not changing my mind. The only thing we do agree on is that there was no intention to offend Italian-Americans.

Thanks, Nina


Ms. Ozlu:

Luigi Bonaffini has shared his recent exchanges with you regarding the above referenced ad by posting them on several Italian American message boards.

Mr. Bonaffini did a more than adequate job in addressing the double standard that's so pervasive in pop culture specifically regarding how one, particular ethnic group (Italian Americans) are abused with impunity in a manner that no one in their right mind would do with other groups. So I will not elaborate further.

For the sake of clarity, however, would you kindly elaborate on your response "...I think you'll then see how the examples you bring up would never happen for MANY reasons"...one of those many reasons wouldn't be "good taste and sensitivity", would it?

Additionally, would you be so kind as to identify which Italian American organizations voiced approval of the ad? Perhaps if we can contact them, they'll be able to help us understand and correct our hypersensitivity. Regards,

Don Fiore

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Padre Pio Center

Review of Johnny Stecchino

Saw this last night on VHS. This was every funny, especially if you like Roberto Benigni.

http://www.foreignfilms.com/films/1427.asp

The ANNOTICO Report

"Facing Windows" is now being released in the US, after being a multiple award winner In Italy, stars Massimo Girotti, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Filippo Nigro, and Raoul Bova.

Massimo Girotti died of a Heart Attack at the age of 84, January 2003, one month before "Facing Windows" opened in Italy.

Massimo Girotti, who appeared in over 100 films, was one of Italy's legendary leading men, was a championship athlete, before his 1939 screen debut, and gained popularity in virile action roles. Long before Kirk Douglas, Girotti played Spartacus in the same-named 1952 European historical epic.

Massimo posthumously won the David Di Donatello Award for best actor for his touching performance in "Facing Windows"— the only time in his career Girotti was nominated for the David.

Girotti's complete Filmography follows the La Times Article.
================================================================================
MOVIES
AN ITALIAN ACTOR'S FINAL TRIUMPH
Los Angeles Times
By Susan King
Jun 14 2004

The Italian import "Facing Windows," which opens Friday, is not only a multiple award winner on its home turf; the drama marks the swan song of one of the country's legendary leading men, Massimo Girotti.

Written and directed by Ferzan Ozpetek, "Facing Windows" concerns an unhappily married young couple, Giovanna (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) and Filippo (Filippo Nigro), who discover a well-dressed elderly man (Girotti) wandering the streets in a confused state. Despite Giovanna's protests, Filippo brings the man home with the promise that he will take him to the police. But he doesn't, and soon the man's presence begins to have an effect on Giovanna's life.

Even with him in the apartment, though, Giovanna continues to gaze out a window to the flat opposite hers, where resides a handsome young bachelor (Raoul Bova). One night the bachelor helps Giovanna find the old man after he wanders off, and they begin a relationship. Meanwhile, the old man starts to put the pieces of his life back together.

In January 2003, Girotti died of a heart attack at age 84. A month later, "Facing Windows" opened in Italy and was a triumph for the actor. He posthumously won the David Di Donatello Award for best actor for his touching performance — the only time in his career Girotti was nominated for the David.

A former athlete and engineering student, Girotti began in films in 1939 and quickly became one of Italy's leading heartthrobs and a favorite of such directors as Roberto Rossellini ("Desiderio"), Luchino Visconti ("Ossessione") and Bernardo Bertolucci ("Last Tango in Paris"). Although Girotti worked on more than 100 films and made countless TV appearances, "Facing Windows" was his first project in five years.
======================================================================
>From All Movie Guide: A champion athlete before his 1939 screen debut, Italian actor Massimo Girotti gained popularity in virile action roles. Long before Kirk Douglas, Girotti played Spartacus in the same-named 1952 European historical epic. He also showed up in such brooding melodramas as Ossessione (1942), an unauthorized Italian version of James M. Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice. Massimo Girotti later essayed character roles, notably in 1971's The Red Tent and 1972's Last Tango in Paris. ~ Hal Erickson
=======================================================
FILMOGRAPHY
Massimo Girotti
Actor: Born May 18, 1918 - Mogliano, Italy

2003 Facing Windows Actor: Davide
1994 The Monster Actor: Distinguished resident
1992 Dall'Altra Parte Del Mondo Actor: Aureliano
1989 Rebus Actor
1987 La Boheme Actor: Old Suitor
1985 Quo Vadis? Actor
1985 The Berlin Affair Actor: Werner Von Heiden
1981 Passione D'Amore Actor: The Colonel
1978 The Mafu Cage Actor
1976 Monsieur Klein Actor: Mr. Charles
1976 The Innocent Actor: Count
1975 L'Ultima Chance Actor
1975 Cagliostro Actor: Casanova
1973 Les Voraces Actor: Olmi
1972 Gli Orrori Del Castello Di Norimberga Actor: Uncle Karl
1972 Last Tango in Paris Actor: Marcel
1970 Medea Actor: Greonte
1969 Le Sorelle Actor
1968 Cuore Di Mamma Actor
1968 Teorema Actor: Father
1968 Scusi, Facciamo L'Amore? Actor: Tassi
1966 Le Streghe Actor: Sportsman ["The Witch Burned Alive"]
1965 Le Meravigliose Avventure di Marco Polo :Marco's Father, Nicolo
1964 Oro per i Cesari Actor: Maximus
1963 Venere Imperiale Actor: Leclerc
1963 Romolo e Remo Actor: Tazio
1961 Lettere Di Una Novizia Actor: Don Paolo Conti
1960 Lupi Nell'Abisso Actor
1960 Erode il Grande Actor: Octavius
1960 I Giganti della Tessaglia Actor
1960 The Cossacks Actor: Alexander II of Russia
1959 It Happened in Rome Actor: Ugo Parenti
1958 La Venere di Cheronea Actor: Praxiteles
1958 Asphalte Actor
1958 La Strada Lunga un Anno Actor
1958 Giuditta e Oloferne Actor: Holophernes
1957 Souvenir d'Italie Actor
1954 L'Amour d'une Femme Actor: Andre
1954 Senso Actor: Marquis Roberto Ussoni
1952 Ai Margini Della Metropoli Actor
1952 Roma Ore 11 Actor: Nando
1952 Spartaco Actor: Spartacus
1951 Secret of Three Points Actor
1950 Cronaca di un Amore Actor: Guido
1950 Duello Senza Onore Actor: Carlo
1950 Persiane chiuse Actor: Roberto
1950 Anni Difficili Actor: Giovanni
1949 Altura Actor
1949 In Nome Della Legge Actor: Magistrate Guido Schiavi
1949 Molti Sogni Per Le Strade Actor: Paolo
1948 Gioventu Perduta Actor: Marcello
1948 Preludio D'Amore Actor
1948 Fabiola Actor: Sebastian
1947 Caccia Tragica Actor: Michele
1946 La Porta Del Cielo Actor
1946 Desiderio Actor
1943 Ossessione Actor: Gino
1941 La Corona di Ferro Actor: Arminio
1940 La Tosca Actor: Angeloti

The Alfano Digest June 14, 04

Message: 1

Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 00:13:41 -0000

From: "tomdee59" <tomdee59@yahoo.com>

Subject: The Alfano Digest June 14, 04

 

 

 

1. LIGHTEN UP?

2. A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PINOCCHIO

3. SHOULD TV BE CENSORED?

4. MEN OF THE CLOTH,A DOCUMENTARY FILM

5. ITALIAN AMERICANS IN BOSTON

6. TRUE WORDS FROM THE WRONG SOURCE

 

 

LIGHTEN UP?

The following is indication of the rampant Italian American bashing. Should we lighten up and laugh at this continual degradation of our dignity? You decide!

Once upon a time there were three little pigs, the straw pig, the stickpig, and the brick pig. One day this nasty old wolf came up to the straw pig's house and said "I'm gonna huff and puff and blow your house down." And he did!!!! So the straw pig went running over to the stick pig's house and said "Please let me in, the wolf just blew down my house. So the stick pig let the straw pig in. Just then the wolf showed up and said, "I'm gonna huff and puff and blow your house down." And he did!!!! So the straw pig and the stick pig went running over to the brick pig's house and said, "Let us in, let us in, the big bad wolf just blew our houses down." So the brick pig let them in just as the wolf showed up. The wolf said "I'm gonna huff and puff and blow your house down." The straw pig and the stick pig were so scared! But the brick pig picked up the phone and made a call. A few minutes passed and a big, black stretch limo pulls up. Out step two massive pigs in pin striped suits and fedora hats. These pigs come over to the wolf, grab him by the neck and beat the living shit out of him, then one of them pulled out a gun, stuck it in his mouth and fired killing the wolf, then they got back into their limo and drove off. The straw pig and the stick pig were amazed!!! "Who the hell were those guys?" They asked. "Those were my cousins from Jersey, the Guinea Pigs."

 

 

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PINOCCHIO

The following is an excerpt form the Annotico report.

Pinocchio is very much an Italian story. It is full of Northern Italian landscapes and Italian dishes. It also embodies the traditional Italian belief that the family is of central importance. You can have a good time with your friends, but you can only truly trust your kin. Good parents will sacrifice themselves for their children without a murmur, as Geppetto does when there is nothing to eat in the house but three pears, and he allows Pinocchio to devour them all. Good children will also sacrifice themselves for their parents, as Pinocchio does when he and his father, like Jonah in the Bible, escape from the belly of the Great Shark, and he carries Geppetto out of the sea on his back.

For the full text please go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ItalianAmericanOneVoiceCoalitionMessage

Center/?yguid=49124464

 

 

SHOULD TV BE CENSORED?

By Adam Thierer

Like millions of other Americans, I will be glued to my television set on Sunday night watching the season finale of HBO's critically acclaimed series The Sopranos to see who "gets it," or even just to hear Tony or one of his mobster buddies say "Forgetaboutit!" one last time this season. But one person who definitely won't be watching The Sopranos finale on Sunday night is my young daughter. The violence, profanity, and sexual content are not something I want her exposed to. I'm not sure what the right age is for children to see such programming, but at the point my wife and I think she's ready, we'll talk to her about such shows before we sit down to watch them with her.

For the full article please go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ItalianAmericanOneVoiceCoalitionMessage

Center/?yguid=49124464

 

MEN OF THE CLOTH,A DOCUMENTARY FILM

MEN OF THE CLOTH is now in the later stages of production. It is intended for television broadcast, theatrical screenings, international film festivals, and educational outreach programs. It has the support of The National Italian American Foundation, The Italian Cultural Institute, and the American Italian Historical Association. The New York Foundation for the Arts, a 501 (c) (3), tax-exempt organization, serves as the fiscal sponsor for the film.

This film is being produced and directed by Vicki Vasilopoulos. She is a free lance writer whose articles often appear The New York Times. She recently wrote an article in that paper about Shark Tale expressing the concerns of many Italian Americans.

A free private screening will be presented Sunday, June 27, 2004 4:00 P.M. Montclair State University, Dickson Hall

For those who wish to attend please write to italicsenrty@yahoo.com for further details.

 

 

ITALIAN AMERICANS IN BOSTON

Excerpts from a revealing article by John Keller

A few blocks away and four decades later, in a sight unthinkable to the West Enders Gans knew, Bobby Travaglini of East Boston was sworn in as the first Italian-American leader of either legislative branch in the 223 years since the first General Court of Massachusetts convened. The significance of which was hardly lost on Travaglini's Senate colleagues.

"He's been called by many names — Bob, Bobby, Trav, Senator, Senatore — but henceforth he will be known and answered to as Mr. President," said Greek-American Senator Steve Panagiotakos. Gushed Irish-American Senator Therese Murray of Plymouth: This is truly a great country "when a kid from the neighborhood can be elected the first [Senate] president of Italian descent." Travaglini's own mother, Josephine, wept in the gallery when his nomination for the Senate presidency was moved and seconded.

NOTE: This insightful and very revealing article is well worth reading in its entirety. For the complete article please go: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ItalianAmericanOneVoiceCoalitionMessage

Center/?yguid=49124464

 

 

DEFAMATION IN THE POLITICAL ARENA

Maine Gubernatorial campaign

Jonathan Carter, the Green Independent candidate for governor, began airing a television commercial Monday that questions - with what some consider anti-Italian slurs - whether John Baldacci, the Democratic candidate, can be trusted.

Governor John Rowland smeared with anti Italian American comment

In an Northeast Magazine article by Bill Heald a vowel was added at the end Governor John Rowland's name to read Rowlando. This was a double smear since it attempted to connect Rowland with criminal activities at the expense of Italian Americans who are generally regarded to be criminally bent by most of the American public.

Chicago councilman's comment

While discussing the selection of a particular contractor for The city's bus stop ad benches, Chicago City Council Finance Committee meeting, veteran Fifth Ward Alderman Lawrence Bloom Remarked, "I don't know who's in that company, but his name shouldn't end in a vowel".

 

 

TRUE WORDS FROM THE WRONG SOURCE

For years now, a growing number of my constituents have been of Italian descent and I've come to know them well. They have honored me with their support and with their friendship. Indeed I can proudly say that some of my very best friends are Italian Americans...These hearings on the Mafia are in no way whatsoever a slur upon the great Italian people. Because I can state from my own knowledge and experience that Italian Americans are among the most loyal, most law-abiding, patriotic, hard-working American citizens in this land. And it would be a shame, Mr. Chairman, if we allowed a few rotten apples to give a bad name to the whole barrel. Because from the time of the great Christopher Columbus up through the time of Enrico Fermi, right up until the present day, Italian Americans have been pioneers in building and defending our great nation. They are the salt of the earth, and they're one of the backbones of this country.

NOTE: These lines are from the senator in The Godfather I. Too bad real U.S. senators including Italian Americans do not give such well earned praise.

Test Welcome from Dom

Ciao a tutti,

 

 

Dom

 

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Mobilito.com
  
   [m] 773.426.4662    [f] 435.603.1620

============================================

 

FW: notice from Nicosia

Cool site for Nicosiane nel mondo

dt

-----Original Message-----
From: plavigna@libero.it [mailto:plavigna@libero.it]
Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 11:41 AM
To: d_tassone
Subject: notice from Nicosia


Hello,
my name is Paolo from Nicosia (En)
Look the site www.nicosiaweb.it
See you soon

testing 1-2-3

Dom