Do all Italians act like the Soprano's

by El Kabong 23 Replies latest jw friends

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  El Kabong

  I am a full blooded Italian. Actually, I'm Sicilian. To boot, I was born and raised in New Jersey. (Is that good or bad? ). I was transferred out of New Jersey several years ago. However, I still talk with a very heavy New York/New Jersey accent. (Actually, I don't think I have an accent, everybody else does ).

  Because of my heratige, I can't tell you how many times people assume that I'm in the Mafia. I am VERY proud of my heritage (I feel everyone should be proud of their heritage). But, it bugs me how many people automatically think that just because a person is of Italian heritage, they automatically are in the Mafia, or have family who are gangsters in the Mafia. A lot of this is because of all the Media hype surrounding such movies and shows like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and The Soprano's. I for one refuse to watch such shows that portray this nonsense. All these shows do is reinforce the stereotype that we are all "gavones" (uncooth louts) who are into the rackets and violence.

  Do you feel that most Italians or Italian-Americans have ties to the mob? Honestly? Do you feel that shows like the Soprano's really show "the way the mob works?.
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  SLOAN

  Why does EVERYONE on this board Stereotype???? lol that's a joke ("everyone", get it)
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  minimus

  Whatsa madder witch you? I alwaze thought that you was a Muslim or sumthin.
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  Ravyn

  I grew up in New Jersey too, and I married a Boston Giuliani. personally I am glad they think we have mob connections down here in rednecked Tennessee. Only thing that has kept em from lynching us.

  I hate it here.

  Ravyn
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  Guest 77

  Don't bother fighting the image, keep it that way, because people will keep their distance. I have a golfing acquaintance who's Italian and we get along just great. Are not all nationalities given some kind of postive and mostly negative images? Just be happy your not considered a terrorists, YET. Labeling people in a negative light only creates mistrust and hate.

  Guest 77
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  Utopian_Raindrops

  El Kabong,

  Although I know probably MOST Italians are good citizens and have nothing to do with the Mafia.In my case other then JW Italians and on line friends from Italy .The only Italian Americans I know are through my father and my father is a Union Stewart for the Teamsters need I say more?!

  I will say one thing..they throw the BEST Christmas Parties each year !!!

  No matter what their connections..every Italian I ever met is hospitable, friendly and would do anything to help you!

  We fit in good because we are Latin and my fathers last name although a Spanish one is also an Italian one. The Teamsters offered him a job.actually asked him to run for an office!

  Hey since you're from New York.did you ever listen to The Italian Carousel? I listen to it all the time.

  I think if a person wants to get a good idea of what Italian people are really like they need to watch movies from Italy not The Sopranos.

  One of my favorite movies is Pane E Tulipani. They were showing it on pay per view last year.

  The more foreign films Americans watch the more they will learn of other peoples cultures.

  I like what guest said a little bit, Don't bother fighting the image, keep it that way, because people will keep their distance

  In a small way that statement is true. When my family moved to what I lovingly call Anglo Ville they were so afraid of my cousin because they thought he belonged to The Latin Kings !! No one would mess with us!! LOL So I guess in a sense it can be a protection!!

  Ciao Amico,

  Utopian_Raindrops

  Edited by - Utopian_Raindrops on 31 January 2003 5:36:23
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  Francois

  Sloan, I has done tole you a MILLION times not to exaggerate!

  francois
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  Fe2O3Girl

  This is sort of off topic, but I think it is relevant.

  The Sopranos is about Americans.

  How many generations does it take before a person is no longer Irish, Norwegian, Polish, Italian, whatever, and is American?

  Is this unique to people who have descended from immigrantsfrom Europe to America?

  Is it acceptable for people of Asian extraction to consider themselves to be that nationality rather than American?

  I ask because most people born of immigrants in the UK consider themselves to be British. This does not mean that they forget or disrespect the culture of their parent's original country.

  Is this something to do with Brits thinking that 200 miles is a long way, and Americans thinking that 200 years is a long time?
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  scumrat

  Geez, my girlfriend is Italian. You mean they all don't cook and aren't good lovers????
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  Room 215

  Kabong, I'm a New Jesey-born Italian-American and I share many of your concerns about stereotyping. The one thing that bugs me about this issue is how many of the less educated amongst us actually revel in the image of ganster. I'm thinking of at least one pizzeria in my area and a landscape gardener that proudly display virtually the same logo, a cariacature of a pin-striped goon sporting a fedora, a machine gun and a five-o-clock shadow.

  Most Americans of Italian origin deplore this characterization and refer to the proponents among them as ``ignorant guidos" who crow about being Italian but seldom sepak the language, understand Italy's history or have ever visited Italy.