The problem I have with the Italian American stereotype as criminals
is that it is accepted as "OK" to portray it. You can't even go too
far with it. Over and over and over you see it in movies, in
commercials even in cartoons, and it is seen as acceptable. I know
that at one time or another other ethnicities and races wen't
through it, but they have all been moved under a safety net now.
Just try coming out with black face now in Hollywood and you will be
crushed. I agree with that. Why not the same for Italians then?
The worst that I hear is when people say "I used to know guys like
that back in my old neighborhood." No they didn't. Tony Soprano
kills someone almost every week. They never knew anyone like that
in their neighborhood because no one like that ever existed. See
the problem there? Soprano is generally accepted as real or based
upon something real, when if fact he is nothing of the sort.
This is not just a mtter of sensitivity. It has a real effect in
the world - on judges and juries. Go sit around the courthouse
someday and watch and listen. If a defendant has an Italian
surname, people start touching their fingers to their noses and
whispering "mobbed up" and other such phrases. Of course the media
will supply you with a nickname in quotes, even if you don't have
one.
Sorry if I seem hypersensitive about it but I have 4 kids with an
Italian last name and I wouldn't want anyone assuming the worst
about them for it.
I wrote a column about this topic a couple of years back. It went
nation-wide through the email lists of many Italian-American anti-
defamation organizations. I started getting emails about it from
all of the country.
I'm going to re-print it just before the Soprano's premiere in March.
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