italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies
Stefania,
what a great message.
We also need practical suggestions to take concrete steps. What
about informing associations like Sons of Italy and Unico? Although
some of their ideas may not be the most updated, they are very
sensitive about issues such as this and may have the "power" to do
something about it. Filippo, thanks for bringing it to our
attention, Irene Marchegiani
New York State University, Stony Brook
On Apr 17, 2006, at 2:52 PM, Lucamante, Stefania wrote:
> italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies
>
> Dear Filippo,
>
> I don't know you, but I feel like I need to give you some support
> in this matter.
> Not only is the title inappropriate and ridiculous, but it's old
> and antiquated in its stereotypical approach to Italian culture
> tout court.
> Enough with Pizza, we also have tortelli di zucca, cavatielli,
> panzerotti, agnolotti and other very nice and delicious 'piatti'.
> As it is well known, Italian cuisine is quite varied and we
> certainly don't have 12 menus to rotate throughout the year, as it
> happens in the United States of America.
> We have many, many dishes, and our creativity does not stop to
> Versace clothes for spoiled Paris Hilton (not an hotel, but the
> owner's daughter).
>
> I remember that the Espresso in the early 90s had on its cover the
> image of Berlusconi with a nice sombrero (way better than his
> Summer bandana) and the Mexican Ambassador complained for the lack
> of appropriateness in such a silly depiction of his country as a
> Banana Republic one, fraught by ideological insecurity and ridden
> by corruption. He contended that we were much worse than the Mexicans.
> Granted, we Italians have nothing to boast about ourselves and how
> we run the country, but I wonder why a newspaper gains in using
> such trite motives in talking about Italian politics, or Mexican
> one, for that matter.
> I could suggest you bring this matter to the attention of the
> Italian Ambassador if I didn't know better. Many times on the
> W.Post I have personally read articles by a certain Daniel
> Williams, WP correspondent from Rome, that were just the apotheosis
> of superficiality. Often times, the press uses trite motives to
> attract readers who are not let's say sophisticated to make them
> read something actually worthwhile. Williams' articles were NOT
> interesting, not well-researched, actually grossly wrong.
>
> No action was ever taken, and this no matter who the current
> ambassador was... so, yes, the title "The Pizza Parliament" is not
> offensive according to the editor of the newspaper (how could it be
> otherwise? he must have giggled all night in great happiness for
> the smart choice in wording!), but merely crystallized in a time in
> which Italians could be offended by the ignorance and
> superficiality by which American press depicts us. Clearly, the
> age of Berlusconi has only re-enforced this opinion of Italians as
> puppets, indulging hedonists, and Americans rarely know/knew anyway
> the serious Italians. many of them do not appear on the news in
> fact. They stay at home and wonder why and how other Italians have
> voted for Silvio, the pizza delivery boy.
>
>
> Stefania Lucamante
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies on
> behalf of Filippo Sabetti
> Sent: Mon 4/17/2006 2:59 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [I-S] "The Pizza Parliament"
>
>
>
> italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies
>
> Following the recent Italian elections, the Montreal Gazette carried a
> commentary from a former diplomat who served in Italy (Gazette
> April 14,
> 2006, p. a19).(The piece says that Prodi wil be handcuffed in making
> changes to domestic social policy, but he'll have more success in
> foreign affairs.) One can agree or disagree with the opinion piece
> about
> the chances of success of a Prodi government.
>
> But what do you think of the title that The Gazette editors gave to
> the
> piece, "The Pizza Parliament." ? Is this title ok? The Gazette editor
> in chief says that there is nothing wrong with the title. It's
> perfectly
> fine.
>
> What do you think? I find it objectionable. Am I being too sensitive?
>
> Welcome your reactions.
>
> thanks
>
> Filippo Sabetti
>
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