home >> Image & Identity >> Picks & Pans >> Winter 2002
THUMBS UP TO:
The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) for canceling its Mafia-themed annual fund-raiser in September, after being contacted by the NIAF and by U.S. Congresswoman Connie Morella of Maryland, who serves on the NIAF and the NKF boards. The NKF also promised to send a letter apologizing for the theme to all its supporters, and promised to put an article in the foundation's newsletter about the gaffe.
Carrabba's Italian Grill for running tasteful ads about their restaurant owners' Sicilian roots. They emigrated to Texas in the late 1800's and note in their ads that Sicilians and Texans both value hospitality.
Author Patrick K. O'Donnell who included the combat experiences of NIAF supporter Jack Trovato in his book, "Beyond Valor: World War II's Ranger and Airborne Veterans Reveal the Heart of Combat."
AMICI Magazine, a California-based publication about Italian Americans and their achievements. AMICI, 2650 Jamacha Rd., #147-126, El Cajon, CA 92019, telephone 619.588.6415, fax 619.444.9567, or email amicigio@aol.com.
The New York Times article, "A Civilized Society" by Anthony Lewis, [September 8, 2001], which applauds Italy's humanity, culture, beauty and sense of community.
House of Blues Concerts and Opera Colorado Company which canceled a September 19 concert by Dominic Chianese, a cast member of "The Sopranos," after receiving dozens of email complaints about this actor who promotes stereotyping from around the country. Said House of Blues head Barry Fey, "We do not want to offend anyone. Music is supposed to be a joyous and happy thing."
The World Cycling Company for changing the subtitle on one of its videos that read "The Mapei Mob fires a 1-2-3!" The Mapei race team is Italian based and fans objected to using the word "mob" and its Mafia association with an Italian team.
T.G.I. Friday's for changing the name of its interactive Internet game from "Moofia." to "Bovinator" and dropping the game's original characters, Tony Piglioni, Da Rat, Busta Chops and Frankie Fowlmouth. The game can be found at www.fridays.com. You can thank them at internetmail@fridays.com for realizing the error of their ways.
Elderhostel for its October 2001 course in Manhattan, "Italian New York" which focused on the contributions of Italian Americans to the Big Apple from the 19th century to the present.
Columnist Gil Spencer at The Delaware County Times Daily for his November 14 column sympathetic to Italian Americans' complaints about stereotyping. Contact him at gspencer@delcotimes.com
THUMBS DOWN:
The D.D.B. ad agency and Budweiser for beer ads that feature derogatory characterizations of Italian Americans, including the phrases "How you Doin" and "Did We Take Care of Dat Ting". Write to the D.D.B. Agency, 200 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601 or telephone 312-552-6000. Email President Dick Rogers at dick.rogers@chi.ddb.com or Chief Creative Officer Bob Scarpelli at bob.scarpelli@chi.ddb.com.
Columbia House Music Club for promoting "Mob Hits" featuring Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale, Tony Bennett, Perry Como, Dean Martin and Mario Lanza. Write to Columbia House, 1400 North Fruitridge Ave., Terre Haute, IN 47811 or email customer_service@columbiahouse.com
Cugino's Fine Gourmet Italian Foods for creating and selling "Vicious Vinny's Italian Mob-B-Que Sauce." Contact them at 888-592-8446 or www.cuginos.com
The Cartoon Network and its show, Dexter's Laboratory for creating the cartoon character "Simple-a Fisha-Man," an evil Italian organ grinder who hypnotizes people and then steals their money. Contact www.cartoonnetwork.com
On Location Tours for its Soprano Bus Tour to sites where the HBO series is filmed in New Jersey. Contact: On Location Tours at 212/410-9830.
Henson Scout Reservation in Delaware for teaching scouts the card game "Mafia" featuring players who are either Mafiosi and police. Contact Jill Price, program director at 410/883-3333.
Mafiamob.com, an online game site that encourages players to join a virtual mafia family and work up to becoming a Don. Contact admin@mafiamob.com
WNEW-AM and "The Sports Guys," a New York City radio program whose hosts Craig and Blain repeatedly refer to NY Jets quarterback Vinnie Testaverdi as "Vinnie the Guinea." Contact 212/489-1027 or www.wnew.com
"Philly" a nationally televised law show from ABC, which consistently presents unsavory characters of Italian heritage. Contact ABC at 818/460-7477 and the show's producer Steve Bochco at Bochco Productions, Bldg. 1 - !0201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035.
The NIAF NEWS thanks contributors Rose Adamo, Manny Alfano, Steve Antonuccio, Tony Battaglia, Phil Celeste, Alex Cirillo, Pat DeMarzo, Giorgio DiPaolo, Richard Grace, John Lombardo, Paul Parry, Ciro Poppiti, Vincent Profaci, Walter Santi, and Lucy Schifini.
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