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What is the first thing Americans think when you hear Italian culture ? I am very curious to know. I have read many forums in which this question was asked and the stereotypical answers are unbelievable.
As of late,of course everyone tends to link Italian-Americans to the characters in Jersey shore. Well let me open your eyes a little. First, I read a response about one of the shows main characters (snookie polizzi) where the person denies her of being Italian descent only by adoption. While it is true that snookie was adopted at the age of 6 mos. by the Polizzi's, this does not disprove her Italian heritage. Snookie was born in Santiago, Chile which for those without the benefit of geography, is located in South America. While being born in the U.S. makes you an American citizen, being born in Chile makes you a Chilean citizen, neither of which speaks of your ancestral heritage. Let us all remember that South America, Middle America, and North America are all part of the "new world" discovery of Christopher Columbus. It is believed that Columbus hypothesized that the west indies was the far eastern banks of Asia and explorer Amerigo Vespucci is the one that said this is a whole other major continent and so by a writing published at that time by a non Italian author, named the new continent America using the feminine form of Vespucci's first name. In the late 1800's and early 1900's there was a large exodus from the European continent because of poor economic conditions. They immigrated to countries all over the world. The largest ethnicity to immigrate to Chile was Spanish and Italian. That being said, Take any ethnicity in the US and put a bunch of their younger generation together to party and drink, do you think the world would then think they are like everyone of that descendancy? The sad thing is they would. So they chose to use Italian Americans and called them Guido's and guidettes and these kids capitalized on it.
People tend to stereotype people in a bad way. They take what they hear on the news about a crime or criminal and group them into an ethnic category. Case in point: I, being of Italian descent, belong to a local organization. We gather money from the community and give it to groups in need of funds. I can already read minds of non Italians thinking MAFIA!!! No, we are c.i.a.o an acronym which stands for charitable Italian American organization. We gathered some funds and pledged 10,000.00 to a local school for a new gymnasium, we made the donation to the school at halftime during a football game. One of our members in the stands overheard someone behind him ask another "where did a little group get that kind of money?" and before he could turn and answer, he heard a reply" They are Italian, Where else could it come from?" Personally, I would have probably embarrassed my wife by giving that person a piece of my mind. Does everyone in America think that all Italian Americans are in the mob? Seriously ? Do you also think of Italy as a country made up of mafia only? Should we call it the Badlands of the world?
This same group got together with the Knights of Columbus to host a Italian festival. If unfamiliar with them, the Knights of Columbus come from of course Christopher Columbus but is not a Italian group but, a Catholic one. and I can already hear it, then it's Italian cause all of em are Italian ain't they? NO!!! I am of Italian descent and I am not Catholic, nor was my father. That's not to say that his father wasn't but not all Italians weather in America or Italy are Catholic faith. Actually in Italy itself, 90% are Catholic. But that number would be less if you exclude Vatican City which in fact is not part of Italy but, a separate sovereign nation. Back to the festival, When called upon to do some decor for the party, I stepped up to the plate. I told my wife that I needed her help because although I already had in mind what I wanted, she has a knack for displaying it so it would look like a grouping and not a bunch of things put together When I think of Italian culture, I think sculptures, vineyards,painters,builders,foods OMG foods, foods that will melt in your mouth along with some filling warm fresh breads and cheeses and a glass of Merlot. That's what we did, we gathered wine bottles from a local restaurant and got faux grape vine and grapes and miniature statues of Italian sculptors and faux cheeses and breads and placed a candle in the wine bottle on each table along with the grapes and others. You can try to see it in the embedded videos below. It made for a beautiful centerpiece at each table.
From now on please try to think of Italians as innovators. If you live in the US, think of your government in Washington DC. It is a complete mimic of the republic of Rome when it was known as the Roman Empire. An empire that with all it's faults once ruled the world which to look at the good , brought what was considered modern to the rest of the world at that time.
WILL UPDATE AS EVENTS COME
What is the first thing Americans think when you hear Italian culture ? I am very curious to know. I have read many forums in which this question was asked and the stereotypical answers are unbelievable.
- Did you know that the dome of the capitol blding in Washington was designed and built by Italians
Culinary-Themed Italian Vacation
Seven-Day Culinary Tour in Abruzzo with Accommodations, Meals, and Culinary Classes from Epitourean
As of late,of course everyone tends to link Italian-Americans to the characters in Jersey shore. Well let me open your eyes a little. First, I read a response about one of the shows main characters (snookie polizzi) where the person denies her of being Italian descent only by adoption. While it is true that snookie was adopted at the age of 6 mos. by the Polizzi's, this does not disprove her Italian heritage. Snookie was born in Santiago, Chile which for those without the benefit of geography, is located in South America. While being born in the U.S. makes you an American citizen, being born in Chile makes you a Chilean citizen, neither of which speaks of your ancestral heritage. Let us all remember that South America, Middle America, and North America are all part of the "new world" discovery of Christopher Columbus. It is believed that Columbus hypothesized that the west indies was the far eastern banks of Asia and explorer Amerigo Vespucci is the one that said this is a whole other major continent and so by a writing published at that time by a non Italian author, named the new continent America using the feminine form of Vespucci's first name. In the late 1800's and early 1900's there was a large exodus from the European continent because of poor economic conditions. They immigrated to countries all over the world. The largest ethnicity to immigrate to Chile was Spanish and Italian. That being said, Take any ethnicity in the US and put a bunch of their younger generation together to party and drink, do you think the world would then think they are like everyone of that descendancy? The sad thing is they would. So they chose to use Italian Americans and called them Guido's and guidettes and these kids capitalized on it.- Did you know the first paved road in the world was in ancient Rome ?
People tend to stereotype people in a bad way. They take what they hear on the news about a crime or criminal and group them into an ethnic category. Case in point: I, being of Italian descent, belong to a local organization. We gather money from the community and give it to groups in need of funds. I can already read minds of non Italians thinking MAFIA!!! No, we are c.i.a.o an acronym which stands for charitable Italian American organization. We gathered some funds and pledged 10,000.00 to a local school for a new gymnasium, we made the donation to the school at halftime during a football game. One of our members in the stands overheard someone behind him ask another "where did a little group get that kind of money?" and before he could turn and answer, he heard a reply" They are Italian, Where else could it come from?" Personally, I would have probably embarrassed my wife by giving that person a piece of my mind. Does everyone in America think that all Italian Americans are in the mob? Seriously ? Do you also think of Italy as a country made up of mafia only? Should we call it the Badlands of the world?
This same group got together with the Knights of Columbus to host a Italian festival. If unfamiliar with them, the Knights of Columbus come from of course Christopher Columbus but is not a Italian group but, a Catholic one. and I can already hear it, then it's Italian cause all of em are Italian ain't they? NO!!! I am of Italian descent and I am not Catholic, nor was my father. That's not to say that his father wasn't but not all Italians weather in America or Italy are Catholic faith. Actually in Italy itself, 90% are Catholic. But that number would be less if you exclude Vatican City which in fact is not part of Italy but, a separate sovereign nation. Back to the festival, When called upon to do some decor for the party, I stepped up to the plate. I told my wife that I needed her help because although I already had in mind what I wanted, she has a knack for displaying it so it would look like a grouping and not a bunch of things put together When I think of Italian culture, I think sculptures, vineyards,painters,builders,foods OMG foods, foods that will melt in your mouth along with some filling warm fresh breads and cheeses and a glass of Merlot. That's what we did, we gathered wine bottles from a local restaurant and got faux grape vine and grapes and miniature statues of Italian sculptors and faux cheeses and breads and placed a candle in the wine bottle on each table along with the grapes and others. You can try to see it in the embedded videos below. It made for a beautiful centerpiece at each table.
From now on please try to think of Italians as innovators. If you live in the US, think of your government in Washington DC. It is a complete mimic of the republic of Rome when it was known as the Roman Empire. An empire that with all it's faults once ruled the world which to look at the good , brought what was considered modern to the rest of the world at that time.
Did you know
Ancient Rome had:
| blindsforslidingdoor.com |
- running water from the mountains to the city fountains, and baths and Hot tubs
- Sewer systems which are much like what we have today
- Archways I am sure you have heard of the Roman Arch which allowed openings in large walls
- Architects and engineers The Palladian window is mimicked from Andrea Palladio, an Italian Renaissance designer and engineer
- Astronomers Galileo was the first to know that the earth revolved around the sun.
- concrete Very much the same mix as used today
 click the pic link to find out more |
| Galileo Galilei, Italian physicist, mathematician, scientist, inventor, and philosopher. He is considered a major founder of the Scientific Revolution of the 16th to 17th centuries, and the founder of the science of physics.
In closing I would like to inform all that the Italian Embassy and the US has come together to dedicate 2013 as The Year of Italian Culture in America.
Right now, in Washington DC at the National Gallery of Art, The Italian Government has unveiled the statue of David- Apollo by Michealangelo, It will be displayed there until March 3, 2013 as the opening of many more events to come to celebrate the Italian culture in the U.S.
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