Did the TV show The Sopranos help or hurt the image of Italian-Americans?

Hurt

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by Joseph Yannuzzi Jr.

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As a proud Italian American, I can state without the slightest bit of uncertainty, that The Sopranos television show definitely denigrated and humiliated my culture. The sad part of the whole issue is the fact that the gangster stereotype has followed Italian Americans since their arrival in America, and this show only serves to cement that stereotype.

I am a full blooded Italian American, and I can assure you that I have no ties to any organized crime organization, syndicate or Cosa Nostra, nor do any of my family or relatives. We are a hard working group that stresses family values, love, compassion and respect for others. We have no interest in functioning outside the law.

The depiction of Italians as shown in the Sopranos, is so off mark that it is almost laughable. Unfortunately, some Italians find a kind of sick pride in this show and often forget the real contributions our ethnic group has made in America and the Western World.

For example, does anyone know that during WWII, more Italian Americans fought and died than any other ethnic group, comprising roughly about 7% of our fighting forces. There are 29 Italian Americans that have won the Medal of Honor in conflicts as early as WWI. Why not offer programming honoring these people, instead of the negative stereotypes we are forced to live with. We have given the world Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Di Maggio, Galileo, Marciano, Marino, Montana, Scalia, Giuliani, Pacino, De Niro and thousands of others that make us proud of our heritage. Why do some Italians overlook these heroes in favor of gangsters like Gotti, Capone, Gambino, and Gravano?

Sadly,the most offensive character associated with the Sopranos may not be any of the featured stars, but in fact the writer, producer and director of the show, David Chase. Mr. Chase is an Italian American and obviously money is more of a motivating factor than common sense and ethnic pride. In a day and age where our young people form impressions early, a show like the Sopranos does little to encourage people to avoid ethnic stereotypes and a life of crime. This is evident among many young African Americans, who feel that it is more profitable to be a "Gangsta," than to seek an education and be successful. This is also true of some Italian Americans who associate crime with pride and try to emulate their organized crime heroes.

There is no redeeming feature associated with the Sopranos, even though the characters and the series is fictional, the damage done far outweighs its popularity and success.

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