This is a self-reflection exercise. It asks that you focus on your own reactions and investigate what shapes them.
COMMENT in two separate paragraphs:
1) CLEARLY STATED: Whatever information you know about Italian Americans, what are the sources?
No messy jumbles of everything and nothing. A clear, organized answer that shows what the PRIMARY sources are.
Media? Primarily what kind of media?
Direct knowledge? Friends, neighbors, neighborhood, family, yourself?
2) How does THE SOURCE of that information make a difference in shaping your perception of ITAMs?
Think hypothetically (but don't write about it: if you had information from a different source, what would be your opinion.)
NOW, after thinking comparatively, WRITE how and why the source of your info makes a difference.
REPLY: pick someone whose sources are different from yours and respond to their self-reflection.
1) All of the information that I know about Italian Americans (as far as stereotypes go) comes from television and movies. For example there's a stressed Italian angle in television shows like The Jersey Shore, The Sopranos, Mob Wives, and Cake Boss. Movies about the mafia are extremely popular. Movies are The Godfather or Goodfellas.
ReplyDeleteI have some close friends that are Italian but they are like any other person I know, they aren't like any of the stereotypes that can be picked up from television.
2) The source I get information about Italian Americans from is extremely important. The reason being that media is not reality. Even when media is covering something that is a fact, it's still a representation of a fact.
For example when I think of my Italian American friends, I never see them as the stereotypes of Italian Americans because they're a part of my reality. They aren't a representation of themselves.
Hi Ivy,I feel that if I had close friends or even neighbors or acquaintances who were Italian American i would be able to better understand as well how much they are trule misrepresented throughout the media. Reality is always better than the perceptions that you obtain from the influence of media.
DeleteI find it interesting that you said the media is just a representation of the fact. It's true, how you report/present something will influence how you interpret it.
Delete1. Most of the informatio that I know about Italian Americans comes from the media such as tv shows that may represent Italian individuals or families as well as reality shows that represent Italians as well.
ReplyDeleteI have watched many television sitcoms such as "Who's the Boss," "Columbo," and may others where Italian Americans were portrayed as very loud, boisterous, charismatic and often times even stubborn.The reality shows that I have watched (Jersey Shore), that depict Italian Americans also portray them in almost the same light with the addition of making them out to be very argumentative.
2. The source of my information definitely makes a difference because it skews my perception of Italian Americans. Unfortunately, what I see on television is not necessarily always accurate.
I certainly agree with your idea of TV representation skewing perception, Amanda. I feel that these representations are exaggerated for the sake of making the character's background easier to figure out, similar to how a German character might speak with a very thick German accent. While this doesn't make it okay, its not an unusual step for producers to take.
DeleteIn every televised shows that I have watched, Italians are always portrayed with thick hair, thick accents,works for the mob, have anger issues (real housewives of New Jersey) alcoholic, works odd jobs or own a pizza restaurant.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile they are very educated and far more that what we all have seen on Television.
I have an Italian friend that his parents have gone through this and they were my other source
I didn't know that Italian Americans were alcoholics. I knew that people in the Mafia liked to smoke Cigars. Also I didn't know they had anger issues. I have very limited knowledge on Italian Americans because I don't know any, and haven't met any before. Everything that I knew was from media.
DeleteI didn't know that Italian Americans were depicted as having very thick hair and were alcoholics. These stereotypes seem to be a little bit of a stretch to me since in all the media I have seen they were never depicted this way. As for the "mob" and anger issues, those are common themes that are portrayed through (if not all) ways of media where Italian Americans are depicted.
Delete1) On a broader scale, I feel that the depiction of Italian Americans comes from the somewhat exaggerated portrayal in media, specifically entertainment. They tend to contain features that a viewer would notice (greased black hair, strong accent, loud voice, spaghetti-eating) that makes it easier to figure out who they are portraying.
ReplyDeleteOn a more personal level, I feel that my Italian American friends are a more accurate source of information, since they are aware of the media depictions and can separate the right from wrong in how they are shown.
2) The media source influences my look on Italian Americans by convincing me that these exaggerated types of Italians are out there somewhere. This might be correct, but it certainly doesn't depict them all.
The personal source is a stronger influence, since it helps me define the personality traits over physical traits, such as comedic and good sense of humor.
I like your idea of the exaggerated portrayal in entertainment media depicting Italian Americans. I also like your notion of how the personal sourceis a stronger influence. That sentence caught my eye because I am not an Italian American nor do I have close friends that are. It's interesting to know that a more personal view holds more value to someone irregardless of the corrupt media out there.
Delete1. All the information that I learn about Italian Americans comes from media/television, history class, and the videos I watch for this class while doing my assignments. I learnt about Italian Americans from a show called The Sopranos. I used to watch this when I was young, other then that I never watched or knew anything about Italian American's.
ReplyDelete2. The media influenced me by changing my view on how Italian American's are now vs. how they were treated back then. I never would have thought they were treated similar to slaves way back in the day.
1. All the information that I have learned about Italian Americans I learned from the media. In both TV shows and movies, a common theme to depict characters is by depicting them as Italian Americans. It is a "tribe" that is very easy to mock as others will understand it very easily. Occasionally I learned about Italian Americans in school, which enhanced my views about and towards them. In college, I encountered several Italian Americans who taught me more about the culture as the semesters went on.
ReplyDelete2. Having these differences of being taught by the media or in school, which was primarily taught through textbooks, and by individuals who practice the culture taught me that not all the stereotypes are actually accurate. What is often presented in the media is seen as "making a joke of" the culture, rather than the actual culture, which is not a joke but a reality. Hearing how the culture differentiates from what is depicted in the media caused me to realize that not all stereotypes are true. Another aspect that I learned from "hearing it from the source", was that in order to truly understand a culture one should hear it from a person in that culture and not others who probably got their information from a textbook or a different stereotype.
I agree with your thought about "hearing it from the source" because the people who come from the culture being looked at are the ones who know the culture the most. They are the ones who understand and have the most knowledge on the topic.
DeleteMichal,
DeleteI agree that media influences our knowledge about Italian-Americans. My response differs from yours because you stated you learned about ITAMS at school. My school did not offer much about this topic. I agree even though a textbook is noted as being credible, it is best to get direct information from Italian- Americans.
1. Most of the knowledge I know about Italians comes from Television and movies. Many of these shows and movies show the stereotypical Italian appearance and character. The show that comes to mind when I think of Italians is Cake Boss. It is a modern show of an Italian family who owns a cake shop. Shows and movies about Italians are popular and commonly watched for enjoyment and unfortunately to sometimes to mock.
ReplyDelete2. The source of my information on Italians makes a difference because as I grew up with television my knowledge of Italians and their history grew. Some of the media portrayed Italians in a mocking way and others showed Italian culture. I believe the media tends to favor mocking cultures so although I grew up with the media I do not think it is a good source of information to Italian culture.
I can see why Television can be so stereotypical, even in the modern shows. Growing up watching the way they portrays the characters can have an effect on how we interact with certain people later on in life, if not immediately.
Delete1. My introduction to Italian-Americans came from the media. Films and shows like the Godfather and the Sopranos led me to believe that all Italian-Americans were loud people who came from big families and constantly ate past and spoke with their hands. The media put this caricature of ITAM’s in my mind. They all spoke like with New York accents and had a family member in the mafia. Growing up in California, I didn’t know any Italian-Americans. When I moved to New York, I quickly realized that the depiction of them was false. I have classmates and friends who are ITAM and they’re nothing like the people you’d see on Jersey Shore. I’m glad to know that the stereotypes aren’t real. Maybe it’s time we stop portraying Italians that way.
ReplyDelete2. The source of the information does make me a little hesitant to believe that all Italian Americans act a certain way. But then again if I’m getting my information from films and shows, they can’t be true. If I did know an Italian-American growing up I would be quick to dismiss the stereotypes. I would be able to differentiate between reality and fiction easier.
1. Like many of my class mates, majority of my knowlege of Italian Americans comes from movies, and shows that air on television. But I aslo learn some of the tribes attributes first hand. My family decided to move houses a few years ago, and we bought the new house from American Italians. They had bulit the house and designed it, therefore I was able to see the choices they made, and how it differed from my style of design.
ReplyDelete2. I think my source of information is unique, and I had the opportinty to experinece the home of an italian first hand. Everything from the lawn, to the draps, to how big they diecided to bulid the kitchen. Even the colors they decided to use. This all gave me a little insight to the culture of the tribe.
All of my information about Italian-Americans comes from a reality tv show known as "Jersey Shore." The tv influences stereo types but also shares knowledge about the culture as well. The knowledge I know about Italian -Americans is that eating with family is a tradition, a lot of Italian- Americans are Catholic, and then there are some stereotypes portrayed by the show such as Italian -Americans love to drink, be loud and obnoxious, and come off as hostile and aggressive.
ReplyDeleteI already know the tv show negatively influences my knowledge because of the stereotypes made while watching all the Italian-American cast partake in destructive behaviors. The source of that information portrayed negatively shapes my perception. In the Tv show the Italian cast loves to drink, party, eat, and are always loud. If I had info from another source it would be more knowledgeable. If I were to read a book directly about Italian-Americans it might offer facts. The source would be more credible than a reality tv show.
I was waiting for someone to comment about Jersey Shore! I have never watched the show myself. I felt like it showed the worst depiction of Italian Americans as a whole. Because I was able to experience Italian Americans first hand, I can see how that show has a very different way of shedding light on Italian culture. However, I know many who have had Jersey Shore, as their view of Italian Americans, which is sad because they are so much more than just drinking and being obnoxious.
DeleteThe majority of my knowledge of Italian Americans comes from movies and television shows. This knowledge is somewhat bias because what I have been exposed to is reality TV shows, such as "Jersey Shore", or mafia films such as "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas".
ReplyDeleteI believe these sources of the information are indeed works of fiction and do not represent Italian Americans respectively. Therefore, I am able to dismiss these stereotypes because these sources are fiction and unreliable as an indication to what an Italian American individual is.
1) Whatever information you know about Italian Americans, what are the sources?
ReplyDeleteMy first source of information about Italian Americans comes from direct knowledge. I have lived in Brooklyn, New York my entire life. Growing up, Italians were my neighbors and my father’s friends. In high school, I had many Italian friends and the school was highly populated with Italians.
I also learned about Italian Americans by watching movies such as A Bronx tale, The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Scarface. I know some films don’t show an accurate depiction of Italian Americans, however I was able to learn a little about their culture.
Finally, I took the ITAL 1510 during the winter semester with you, Professor Carasi, and watched films about Italian culture and history which helped me know a little about Italians through film.
2) How does the Source of that information make a difference in shaping how your perception of ITAMs?
Because I grew up around Italian Americans and had family friends who were Italian Americans, I was able to understand and know them better through a primary vision. I was able to engage with them and know them on a personal level. This helped me depict the difference between stereotypes and the real Italian American.
I wonder the good and bad ( if any HA) impressions that you have of ITAIM's. Also how different the culture is from yours. Do you like Italian food? To be honest thats my favorite thing about Italy, how much we eat.
DeleteThe source of information that I usually receive about Italian Americans comes from media and personal experience. Often times ITAMS are portrayed as mafias, pizza/pasta lovers, as well as party lovers. The best example that can portray some of these stereotypes were in Jersey Shore.
ReplyDeleteOften times, the stereotypes that are perceived by those sources are wrong. The reason why people often associate these stereotypes with Italians because of the history and it is easier for people to use these key words to be on the same page. After hearing all the stereotypes, I still use my personal experience as a source of information to confirm ones’ identity.
From the media, I take a stereotype view about Italian American. In which they have special looks and style which represent their community. But in reality, I have some Italian friends whom I know very closely they are as normal as the general people are. But if we see in certain movies and dramas we find them with some specific looks and a certain style of behaving in a different situation.
ReplyDeleteAs everyone has an idea that media always represent one side of reality. So I normally prefer my life experience. In which I find them behaving normally and spending life n general way. The media influence the mindset of the people so the source is not very valid in order to judge anything"
1) Whatever information you know about Italian Americans, what are the sources?
ReplyDeleteIm Italian Brazilian. I was born and raised in Rio de janeiro. My grandparents are born and raised in Firenze. I can easily say that i grew up with a lof of Italian influence in my own home since my GP lived with me. A lot of the food we eat is italian ( lots of carbs ha), the musi and art paintings specially. When I came to New york in 2013 my best friends here were also Italian American, all of them spoke Italian within themselves. I took Italian 1010 and 1020 at Brooklyn College.
2) How does the Source of that information make a difference in shaping how your perception of ITAMs?
I think that having an Italian family was the biggest influence i had of the perception i have o ITAMs. Its not really different from Italian Brazilians to be honest. The only difference i think is that itabra are not as loud as the ITAIMs.
1.) Most of my experiences of Italian Americans are from fictional films or from reality television. The media's portrayal of Italian Americans, like most ethnic groups tends to be exaggerated, false, and offensive. Since moving to New York I have been fortunate enough to meet Italian Americans and varies different cultures.
ReplyDelete2.) I do not find my source unique as much as I find my source to be problematic. I believe the media has built very false narratives and depicts most cultures falsely. It is also unfortunate because even if you meet one person who ITAM, they do not represent a whole culture of people. Unfortunately like many minorities, we represent our WHOLE culture, and/or tribe.