Italian American One Voice Coalition

'The Sopranos' Film New Season

BLOOMFIELD N.J. -- On August 14, 2000, HBO filmed their latest series of "The Sopranos" at the Glen Ridge Country Club, in Glen Ridge, NJ. Five of its board members and the president of this club are Italian/Americans. Which proves once again that there are Italian/Americans willing to sell their heritage for 30 pieces of silver.

Was this country club so destitute that the board had no choice? Did Tony Soprano put a gun to their head and make them an offer they could not refuse? Is it because they're not sensitive or educated to the damage being done, across the country, by the continuous negative portrayal of Italian/Americans by the media and "The Sopranos" in particular? Or is it simply a question or very poor judgment?

Many non-Italian/Americans recognize that there is a problem. Harriet Norris of the Anti-Defamation League has stated, during the filming of a special film which was sponsored by the ADL, Speranza and UNICO National, entitled "Stereotypes in Entertainment." "This community (Italian/Americans) is often ignored in such a forum. The issue of stereotyping against Italian/Americans is not even on the radar screen." Ms. Norris went on to say, "That stereotyping against Italian/Americans is indeed a pervasive and hurtful issue."

Jack Newfield stated, in a New York Post article entitled "A Long Tradition of Anti-Italian Bigotry" ... "Prejudice towards Italian/Americans is the most tolerated intolerance."

Edward James Olmos the husband of Lorraine Bracco, Tony Soprano's psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, said, "The Italians have been beaten up enough, 'The Sopranos' appeal to the lowest common denominator, which is really one of the sadnesses of human condition. I support my wife. I don't support everything she does ... I'm not a proponent of the show because of the story line."

These are but a few comments that are being made by non-Italians. Why can't some Italian/Americans see this? Is it because we are our own worst enemy?

What the Glen Ridge Country Club has done is reinforce my statement that the intolerable behavior towards Italian/Americans are tolerated by Americans because it is tolerated by Italian/Americans. I am sorry to say that the president and board members of the Glen Ridge Country Club have surely proven me right.

Those individuals and organizations that wish to comment may write to:

President Barry Costanza
Glen Ridge Country Club
555 Ridgewood Avenue
Glen Ridge, NJ 07028

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