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Being Italian, I love the fact that so many non-New Yorkers actually think we're one big stereotype. My Italian sister who is a VP at the US Federal Reserve often finds this ignorance amusing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BajanYankee
While you're at it, you should figure out where all of the young black teenagers in Harlem went who used to harmonize on street corners.
Being Italian, I love the fact that so many non-New Yorkers actually think we're one big stereotype. My Italian sister who is a VP at the US Federal Reserve often finds this ignorance amusing.
ZING!
Good one!!!
If there were no commonalities among Italian-Americans as a group there would be no Italian-American culture. Thats what a culture is, a collective set of differences with others. I find it amusing that PC-ness has resulted in people pretending that cultures both exist but that there are no cultures.
Its this simple - do Italian-Americans (the group) like pasta? Yes. Does Mr. Santoro, an Italian-American, like pasta? Possibly yes, possibly no - you can't tell just based on him being part of the group. Don't get confused between population dominant characteristics (roughly coterminous with culture) and the individual's characteristics, then you'll be able to admit that there is such a thing as an Italian-American culture, an Irish-American culture, etc. instead of pretending otherwise.
It is interesting how the New York Italian-American or Irish-American still has a powrful hold on the popular imagination. We think of New York City and we think of those guys with their brash attitudes and hearts of gold.
When I studied in Germany (1996), many Italian students would ask me about Little Italy. I always replied that it was basically gone except for a few holdovers and a bunch of restaurants. They were always shocked and asked why. "Because they assimilated and left" was my answer. Same thing happened to the Germans and Hungarians of Yorkville and the Irish in Hells Kitchen.
Nowadays, Tony Manero is strutting down his Levittown lawn with a lawnmower rather than 18th Avenue with a can of paint. Basically, he has become Ray Barone.
It is interesting how the New York Italian-American or Irish-American still has a powrful hold on the popular imagination. We think of New York City and we think of those guys with their brash attitudes and hearts of gold.
When I studied in Germany (1996), many Italian students would ask me about Little Italy. I always replied that it was basically gone except for a few holdovers and a bunch of restaurants. They were always shocked and asked why. "Because they assimilated and left" was my answer. Same thing happened to the Germans and Hungarians of Yorkville and the Irish in Hells Kitchen.
Nowadays, Tony Manero is strutting down his Levittown lawn with a lawnmower rather than 18th Avenue with a can of paint. Basically, he has become Ray Barone.
Staten Island is still Italian. Southwestern Brooklyn (where the movie was set) is still heavily Italian. I think that's a bit exaggerated. 3rd Ave in Bay Ridge; Dyker Heights; it may as well be Little Italy.
I doubt that Levittown is any more Italian-American than it was a few decades ago. At least since the 50s, Long Island has always been heavily Italian-American
I doubt that Levittown is any more Italian-American than it was a few decades ago. At least since the 50s, Long Island has always been heavily Italian-American
I needed a "suburban metaphore" and Levittown was the first place that came to mind. I have no idea as to the demographics there these days.
I doubt that Levittown is any more Italian-American than it was a few decades ago. At least since the 50s, Long Island has always been heavily Italian-American
Indeed.
And by %, Staten Island [Richmond] is the most Italian-American county in the country. Moreso than either county on Long Island.
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