Why It's Hot To Be Italian American Right Now..

Is it just me or is every other word on TV, Internet or paper talking about being Italian American? The Internet is blowing up with new Facebook pages of people wanting to create some type of Italian American presence.

I think to be Italian American is a life time thing, its your life, its your identity.. its not something you jump on the bandwagon for because you see a show that makes you think this is Italian. Is this why it's hot to be Italian American right now?

To each his own, I suppose... but I am getting increasingly disgusted with the amount of garbage out here in cyberspace and in the media. Who is being genuine? NO-ONE!!! It's all about the payout, who attends the most events, sign on for reality shows and then those who opposed the negativity are now in alliance with those who stand for negative stereotyping.

I don't want to harp on this but the real Italian Americans are not being heard and the phony people are standing up at the front of the press line.

What are your thoughts?
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Happy Veterans Day - To All and All Italian Americans Who Served

I'd like to wish all service men and women past and present a Happy Veterans Day. We must take the time to thank those who provide the freedom, which allows us to voice our opinions and live as we wish. My sincerest gratitude to you all. Grazie!

Thank you,
Margaret Tweet

Italian Americans, Mainstream Media, TV, and Italian American Groups / Organizations

Great debates happening on Facebook yesterday and today regarding the recent discussions on new reality shows and the negative depictions on Italian Americans. My stance is this, I believe many people have the right to be what they want, act the way the want and do what they want. Now, I'm not saying I condone or love that the free world now thinks all Italian Americans are the same..they're not--and that's OK. But that is the real "REALITY." If you have half a brain then you know this fact.

A really good point brought up by one of the Facebook-ers was-- where were the Italian American organizations when positive material, shows, content were being produced...? Not one press release blast went out or any 5 minute segment was covered on any local station. The same amount of energy that goes into the 15 minutes of fame for crying/complaining and saying people are racists should go into promoting the positive work we're all creating for the Italian American community.

I question the motives of others for getting on the press bandwagon and riding it all the way to the top by saying you're protecting the image of the Italian Americans, to me it sounds like you're condemning people for being who they really are.

If anyone, I mean anyone meaning myself, you can't get any more Italian American than me.. I am a first generation Italian American, my father came here on a ship over 50 years ago. My mother followed soon after. He struggled, he had nothing, he worked his ass off, he too was stereotyped.

Not once did my parents look for fame, fortune or any 15 minutes of a news segment, they're true revenge on the finger pointers was getting their family to be successful. The success of our family is what truly makes our story. So, forget about all the press, the TV, the un-reality of being Italian American, cause really if you haven't lived it or experienced it..you shouldn't be adding your two cents. Sorry. I direct this to those who think they're protecting the Italian American image.

I say, take the same resources, money, staff whatever else is available and use it to promote --not talk about the same negative BS on and on. Tweet

Reality TV is a Non-Stop Bash Fest on Italian Americans

It was coming, you know I had to comment on the recent parade of newly launched reality shows out on cable. I was reading the recent press release of the UNICO Italian American organization based out of New Jersey; where Andre’ DiMino, UNICO’s Chief Media Executive and immediate past National President expresses disgust for the recent portrayals of Italian Americans in reality TV.

Here's my question, are these people on the show for real? What do you think? I'm going to have to say that yes, these people are somewhat being themselves and of course prompted to inflate their faux Italian American personalities. I do not condone the behavior of incorrect portrayals of Italian Americans, but once again we have to look at the fact that the tri-state area is really full of people like the cast of these shows. The problem here is --this is a tri-state New Jersey- New York, American cultural thing, this has nothing to do with being Italian American.
I do believe many shows are being packaged with the Italian American innuendo or Italian-isms.

Our society has been brainwashed and seduced by the media and you've been sold an idea about Italian Americans that labels all Italian Americans. Again, you have to always remember that there are different degrees to being Italian American. Some degrees may be that you're portraying yourself like one of these cast members or a degree might be your promoting the positive or quite possibilty just being authentic about the Italian American cultural background.

Either way, its up for interpretation, make no mistake I do not condone negative portrayals of Italian Americans.

For more on the UNICO press release go here:
http://bit.ly/d4OOF7 Tweet

Presidential Proclamation--Italian American Heritage and Culture Month

The President of the United States Barack Obama released a press release yesterday declaring October 2010 Italian American Heritage and Culture Month.

As an Italian American I am very pleased to see the White House formally releasing statements acknowledging the great history of the Italian Americans in the United States. Not only that, but if you go on the Whitehouse website you can see how this statement along with the entire press release is available for viewing. This President is all about transparency and social media. That works for me.

Thank you President Obama

Read the Proclamation here: http://bit.ly/9LpQ4f

Photo: Whitehouse.gov Tweet

Chilean Mine Rescue - A Story of Human Spirit and Hope - Did you know Chile is home to Many Italian Chileans?

An amazing story of 33 men trapped in a mine for 68 days with minimal light, communication or dealings with the outside world. To be rescued after so long and have survived is truly a modern day miracle. I couldn't let this story pass by without talking about how our Chilean American friends feel a sense of pride today after the Chilean government orchestrated an unbelievable rescue and recovery project. The coverage alone on the live streaming and reception by Chilean President and his wife will go down in history as a one of a kind of story.

If you read the details of the trapped miners' stories you'll find out that their human spirit and hope is what kept them going. They designated a time everyday for praying and worked with each other to ensure their health and safety.

This teaches the world a lesson in hope. I know for me it made me think about their strength and how they managed to survive. It gives me hope and strength to endure my challenges.

What I think is interesting and gives an Italian connection is the fact that many Italian Chileans are part of the Chilean population. There are certain areas of Chile named after towns in Italy were emigration was high during certain time periods. There are actually famous Italian Chileans who are of Italian descent, just like you and me.

Here is an interesting link to the history of Italian Chileans and the actual live feed of the rescue operation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Chilean (ITALIAN CHILEANS)

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2&hpt=C1 (LIVE STREAM OF RESCUE _WATCH LIVE!) Tweet

What's Your Italian American Story? - Call for Submissions

Dear Italian American Girl Readers, To celebrate and preserve our Italian American culture the Italian American Girl site will honor Italian Heritage Month here in the United States for the month of October. It's important as Italian Americans that we "stick" together and work on cultural education and find ways to preserve and share our traditions, history and personal stories. Being that the Italian American Girl site focuses on the personal Italian connection and the preservation of Italian family history and traditions, I would like to invite the readers of our site to submit their Italian American stories. Tell us about you and your Italian American story. What's the history behind your family? When did your ancestors come here and where in Italy are you from? Have you ever been to Italy? Have you connected with an Italian family member through social media like Facebook or Twitter? I want to know. I will choose amazing personal stories and feature them on the Italian American Girl site. So don't be shy, share!  Tweet