Italian American One Voice Coalition

At a recent FOX press conference, actors and producers tried to defend their latest negative stereotypical sit-com, "The PJs," by asking its critics to lighten up. These same defenders also expect the black community to look the other way because 12 black people have jobs on the show and can feed and support their families. Are these defenders saying that it's all right to defame, demean and disgrace a race nationally, and a religion as long as you're making money? Hookers, gangsters and drug dealers are also making money to feed their families.

As an Italian-American who is unable to understand why Italian-Americans in the motion picture and television industries prostitute their heritage, I can identify with Spike Lee's concerns and his statement that "The PJs" is hateful toward black people and demeaning.

When will we put an end to negative stereotyping? Especially when it is always about the same select ethnic groups. I firmly believe that this type of negative stereotyping which demeans a select group of people is not entertainment that should be taken lightly. I believe there is an underlying agenda which stems from hatred and bigotry of that group.

If Spike Lee thinks that Eddie Murphy hates black people because of Murphy's involvement in the controversial animated sitcom which features Murphy's voice as the building superintendent, then what should Italian-Americans thing about: Puzo; Coppola; Scorsese; DeVito; DeNiro; Pacino; Chase, the producer of the latest HBO series "The Sopranos," and his latest Italian-American haters, actors Gandolfini, Sirico, Imperioli, Bracco and Falco?

I applaud Spike Lee for speaking out against negative stereotyping. It's a shame Italian-Americans in the entertainment profession would not do the same.

Cable TV has reached an all-time high in the amount of entertainment provided, while at the same time reaching an all-time low in the negative portrayal of Italian-Americans as they flood their airwaves with the Italian mob movies. Leading the deluge are HBO's "The Sopranos"; USA Network's month of mob movies, and soon to follow, the mini-series "Bonanno" on Showtime.

Why are millions of Italian-Americans and their rich heritage being defamed and negatively stereotyped by an industry that will stop at nothing for the almighty dollar? Why is this industry trying to destroy Italian-American culture and family values with their obsession with mob movies, and their portrayal of Italians and Italian-Americans as bums, bigots and buffoons and our women as brassy, bitchy and loose?

This industry uses and encourages Italian-American actors, writers and directors to legitimize their productions. This is an industry that also encourages Italian-American actors and producers to sell their souls for fame, money and ratings. An industry that insists that this type of portrayal of Italian-Americans sells while positive roles and productions of Italian-Americans does not.

My question to those making these decisions is simply this: at a time when everyone is supposed to be concerned about being politically correct, why then is it okay to be politically incorrect when it comes to Italian and Italian-Americans? Who makes the decisions that it's not okay to defame this group or that group, but it's no-holds-barred when it comes to Italian-Americans? Why is there a lack of positive movies, roles and programs about Italian-Americans?

Hopefully, proud Italian-Americans will stand up and defend their heritage and their good name by protesting and boycotting. Start by contacting the TV networks that are airing programs that portray Italians and Italian-Americans in a negative manner. Italian-American newspapers should carry this information in each issue of their publications. Italian-Americans can not afford to remain silent – if not for themselves, then for their children.

February 1999

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