The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 3 of 16)

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Please, lighten-up! As an Italian-American, I can honestly say that these images do not bother me.

Far from being offended by images of the mafia, most Italian-Americans have embraced them. Don't believe me? Then why is "The Sopranos" the most talked about, anticipated show on TV? Why does Victoria Gotti have her own reality show? And why is "The Godfather" considered by many (myself included) to be the greatest American film ever made?

It is a perverse, strange embrace, to be sure, but it is undeniable. Italian-Americans who take umbrage at these symbols are, in fact, few and far between. Most others, if they aren't watching "The Sopranos" on Sunday nights, probably don't care one way or another.

p>As a conservative, I don't like it when others play the "victim" card in frivolous situations. I especially don't like it when it comes from fellow conservatives. Real persecution of Catholics and Fundamentalist Christians does exist, and needs to be addressed. Let's not muddy the waters by whining about pop-culture images of the mafia, or Steven Spielberg's next movie (which, coincidentally, looks like a real stinker, anyway). br> -- Gavin Valle br> Peapack, New Jersey /p>

Thank you Mr. Tyrrell for this article. It's about time someone outside of the Italian-American community recognizes the degrading stereotypes perpetrated upon us time after time in our popular culture. If it wasn't for "Organized Crime" (read: Italian gangsters) and Nazis, the entertainment industry would have no villains. This trend is rife in the video game industry as well.

What's even more disappointing is when the principals in these endeavors themselves are of Italian descent. Offerings such as "The Sopranos," "Goodfellas," "The Godfather" series, etc., include cast and crew that are mainly of Italian descent. When has Martin Scorsese made a movie showing Italian Americans in a good light? When the subject of his movies is not Italian gangsters, then it's Jake LaMotta -- a real role model for Italian Americans.

I recently had an on-going disagreement with a local conservative radio talk show host because he was using Italian gangster lingo to slur our Italian-American Governor (whom I don't support). He accused me of being overly sensitive.

p>As a third-generation Italian-American, I don't normally use hyphenated ethnic identification. I use it in this case just to make a point. I'm an American that is proud of the contributions made by Italians throughout history- most of whom don't get the recognition they deserve. Since Italian Americans don't have the clout of other protected minorities, I don't see this trend ending anytime soon. br> -- Joe Librandi

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