No other nationality tolerates the negativity of historical information about itself more than the American-Italians.
There are about 25 million American Italians in the USA. The 25,000 Mafia members are obviously in the great minority. If any other nationality was depicted in the media the way American Italians are there would be congressional hearings, widely covered protests in the media, and lawsuits. Yet the Sopranos and HBO gained widespread popularity as Italians remained silent.
WHY?
Italians had to strive to become real Americans as did other groups. They are NOT the guys you normally see on TV. Someone once said: "Italian-Americans live their life like they were filming it." We are all a little different so we should celebrate the talents we have, and face some facts too. The Baby Boomer generation consists of many second and third generation Americans from the roots of Ellis Island. These American-Italians preferred the "American" touch and influence on things rather than the Italian-American model. They simply wanted to blend. Other nationalities share this quality. You learned English in school or you got your ass in a sling. In that vigilance to become American, the diverse regional Italian languages and culture were generally not passed down. It is for this approach to becoming "Americanized" that I always refer to us as American Italians rather than Italian Americans.
In general, it could be said that the American-Italians are simply easy pickings for the media. "The HBO network and its series "The Sopranos (2000- 2007)" are guilty of defaming and assassinating the cultural character of Italian Americans by using their religion, customs and values in a violent and immoral context that damages the image and reputations of an estimated 25 million Americans of Italian descent, the nation's fifth largest ethnic minority." (from the Italian American Web Site of New York) Not to mention: The Godfather (1972) ,Goodfellas (1990), The Godfather Part II (1974), Donnie Brasco (1997), Scarface (1983), A Bronx Tale (1993), and The Untouchables (1987).
The Japanese Yakuza, the Hong Kong Triads, and the Russian Mafia have never attracted the media attention in comparison to La Cosa Nostra.
There is no denying the Mafia is criminal and widespread. Here is an excerpt from the FBI Italian Organized Crime Page: "Since their appearance in the 1800s, the Italian criminal societies known as the Mafia have infiltrated the social and economic fabric of Italy and now impact the world. They are some of the most notorious and widespread of all criminal societies."
There are several groups currently active in the U.S.: the Sicilian Mafia; the Camorra or Neapolitan Mafia; the 'Ndrangheta or Calabrian Mafia; and the Sacra Corona Unita or United Sacred Crown. It is estimated the four groups have approximately 25,000 members total, with 250,000 affiliates worldwide. There are more than 3,000 members and affiliates in the U.S., scattered mostly throughout the major cities in the Northeast, the Midwest, California, and the South. Their largest presence centers around New York, southern New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
A new five-year study conducted by the Italic Studies Institute maintains that this has been the predominant image of Italian Americans in films for more than 70 years. The Institute, based in Floral Park, N.Y., found that 40% of the 1220 films produced in the United States since 1928 that featured Italian American themes depicted Italian Americans as gangsters.
The report found that other film portrayals of Italian Americans are often negative, even when they're not being depicted as gangsters.
"Results of the research reveal a consistently negative attitude toward Italian Americans and Italian culture in general (69%)," the report said. "Images of Italians as violent criminals predominate (40%), followed by portrayals of boors, buffoons, bigots and bimbos (29%), as compared to images of Italians as positive, heroic or complex roles (31%)."
According to the report, "The figures clearly indicate an entrenched, institutionalized bias against Americans of Italian descent in the entertainment industry. The diversity of the Italian American experience has been obscured through an obsession with negative, one-dimensional stereotypes, equating Italian culture with criminality."
An American Italian from Buffalo, NY just started "The Mob Tours" in Niagara Falls, NY. where you can learn the history of Stefano "The Undertaker" Magaddino and take a 90 minute tour for "crime lovers". I think I am going to be sick. This news prompted me the write this article. Enough is enough.
How is it that out of 25 million American Italians such a small number of "Mafioso" gain so much attention? It is because the groups that protest this widespread defamation of character has been relatively ineffective. Many American Italian actors and businessmen participate in the movies and portrayals.
If they would take a stand maybe some attention would be drawn to this. I am sure we are all well aware of the many American Italian Doctors, Lawyers, Policemen, Fireman, Teachers, Musicians, and those in Business and the Arts feel a little sad when the media turns out more and more slaps at their heritage. Certainly, we are good for more than crime and Pizza. It's time we let America know that we are not going to take it anymore.
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