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Games, Media, and Politics. Does "Mafia II" Defame Italian Americans? Interview with Andre' DiMino
(August 28, 2010)Several Italian-American organizations are staging an anti-defamation campaign against the videogame "Mafia II" on the ground that it offends and stereotypes Italian Americans as mafiosi. Here we present the argument against the game through the words of Andrè DiMino, Chief Media Executive and Immediate Past National President of UNICO National. In the next few days we shall investigate the opposing viewpont.
Mafia II—a much-anticipated, high quality videogame that is just being released by Take Two Interactive, chronicles the rise of Vito Scaletta, the son of Sicilian immigrants.
The official presentation describes the story as follows: “Born the son of a poor immigrant, Vito is a beaten down Italian American who is trying to secure his piece of the American Dream. Looking to escape the life of poverty that consumed his childhood, Vito is soon swayed by the lure of power and wealth that a life of Organized Crime can bring. A petty criminal his whole life, Vito, along with his childhood friend, Joe, will descend into the world of organized crime. Together, they will work to prove themselves to the Mob as they try to make their names on the streets of a cold and unforgiving city.”
In mid-August, several Italian-American organizations started an anti-defamation campaign against the game, arguing that it offends and discriminates against Italian Americans by suggesting the equation Italian
Americans = Mafia. The campaign grew to involve everybody however “associated” with the game—from New York’s Metropolitan Transport Authority, for allowing Mafia II advertising in subway stations, to 92nd Street Y cultural and community center for renting its facilities for a "Mafia II Launch Party" in Tribeca on August 28th. In the latter case, the protest risked evolving into an intra-ethnic controversy, given the fact that the 92nd Street Y is a Jewish association (its full name is the 92nd Street Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association.)
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| Andrè DiMino |
Here we present the argument against the game through the words of Andrè DiMino, Chief Media Executive and Immediate Past National President of UNICO National, the largest Italian American service organization, established in 1922. Mr DiMino, whos is CEO of Montvale Technologies in Northvale, NJ, is currently the President of Italian American One Voice Coalition. In the next few days we shall investigate the opposing viewpont.
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Mr. DiMino, you are among the Italian-American community leaders who are organizing a protest against Mafia II. Would you explain to our readers the main reasons for your protest and what objectives you are planning to achieve?
Early in August I learned about the upcoming release of the Mafia II video game. I then reviewed demos and previews on YouTube and other web sites and immediately sent a letter to Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take Two Interactive, the producers of the game. In the letter I advised Mr. Zelnick that “…the game is an inappropriate and insulting perpetuation of the pervasive and denigrating stereotype of organized crime being the exclusive domain of Italians and Italian Americans.” I continued, “Why would you foist a game on a targeted audience of young people wherein you will indoctrinate a new generation into directly associating Italians and Italian Americans with violent, murderous organized crime, to the exclusion of all of the other ‘mafias’ run by other ethnic and racial groups. Take Two is directly, blatantly and unfairly discriminating and demeaning one group to the exclusion of all others. We are demanding you halt release of the game and cleanse it of all references to Italians and Italian Americans.”
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I asked for a meeting with Zelnick and his associates to discuss their insensitivity to Italian Americans and to hear what they would do about it. After not hearing from them for over 1 week, on August 18, we made the content of my letter public through a UNICO National press release, which was the start of the public opposition to this game.
Thereafter, I am very pleased that a number of other Italian American groups joined with us in opposing this disgraceful game. These include The Coalition of Italian American Associations (CIAA) of NY, led by Dr. Joseph Scelsa; The Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition, led by Dr. Manny Alfano; The Italian American Legal Defense and Higher Education Fund, led by Jack Como; The Italian American Political Action Committee, led by James L. Lisa; The NY Commission for Social Justice of OSIA, led by Stella Grillo; The National CSJ of OSIA, led by Santina Haemerle; and, other individuals and groups. Meetings were held and a course of action planned.
Mafia II perpetuates the negative stereotype directly and inexorably connecting violent, organized crime to being an Italian American. The promos and story lines go into great detail about the characters coming here from Sicily and joining with other Italians in bloody, murderous crimes and nefarious activities as their only pursuits. Although the negative stereotyping is being disclaimed by Take Two, and its’ misguided devotees, as a "period piece" or somehow, laughably, an "historical account" - that belies the fact that in that period, and with accurate historical reference, the infinitesimally small percentage of Italian Americans in organized crime were second to more powerful and murderous criminals from other ethnic groups. However, in all cases, it is the small percentage of Italians involved in crime during this period that are ubiquitous in the media and entertainment industry. This, as is evident, has welded that negative perception into the collective consciousness. If there is truly to be historical perspective, where are the stories about the extremely high relative percentage of Italian Americans who fought for this country in World War II and those that have contributed so much to this world and this country. You just don't see or hear about that at all.
Mafia II is the sequel of Mafia and there are dozens of Mafia- and mob-based games for PCs, game consoles, and even those for the Internet. Are you aware of this larger phenomenon, and what do you think could be done about it?
Mafia II is the sequel of Mafia and there are dozens of Mafia- and mob-based games for PCs, game consoles, and even those for the Internet. Are you aware of this larger phenomenon, and what do you think could be done about it?
Of course I am aware of the ubiquity of these games – the proliferation and continuation of the denigration and negative stereotyping of Italian Americans is certainly easy fodder for profits. Enough is enough! We can not sit idly by and continue to ignore the continuous attack on our heritage and culture. Why is it OK for this to be so rampant about Italian Americans when you do not see it with other groups. And, specifically ignoring the fact that these games are targeted at young people, is not acknowledging that this is creating a whole new generation that directly and unequivocally connects Italian Americans with murderous, violent and sleazy organized crime.
Zelnick should have had the courtesy to respond to me. But, after seeing his publicly issued response, I can understand why he would not. What ludicrous, self-serving pablum. In his public statement specifically aimed at me he used words to describe his games like "Socially responsible" and "thoughtful" Is he kidding? He just can't be serious. He "fully and completely" stands behind his creative team and "socially responsible" products? Wait... is he referring to Grand Theft Auto, Bully, Manhunt and now Mafia 2? Some of his games have been alleged to have caused shootings and violence. Perhaps he is the one living in a videogame! Unfortunately, although Zelnick can hide behind the "M" rating on this disgraceful game, we all know that millions of teens and pre-teens will be engrossed with playing Mafia II. Consequently, we abhor the potential of a new generation being catalyzed into automatically associating Italian Americans with the disgusting thugs and violent bums who inhabit Mafia II. It is just not fair or acceptable!
For many, many years, UNICO has consistently and repeatedly fought negative stereotyping and defamation. This has included protests against The Sopranos, Shark Tales, stereotypical advertisements, TV series, and many other media items. Most recently, UNICO has been at the forefront in the very public campaign against MTV's Jersey Shore for which I made many, many media appearances. You should know that UNICO was actually founded 88 years ago BECAUSE of discrimination against Italian Americans. Here we are, 88 years later and we now have to fight a new high-definition version of very detailed and realistic video games that negatively stereotypes Italian Americans.
Besides the software company that produces Mafia II, your battle involves other targets. You criticized New York's Metropolitan Transport Authority for allowing Mafia II advertising in subway stations, as well as the 92nd Street Y cultural and community center for renting their facilities for a "Mafia II Launch Party." What are you planning to do and what have you achieved thus far?
It is important for those that help to promote these attacks on our heritage to understand that they are complicit in these acts. The advertisements for Mafia II throughout the NY Subway system are viewed by millions of people, multiple times per day – again implanting the association of Italian Americans and the Mafia deep within the subconscious of all these people.
The 92nd Street Y’s hosting of the Launch Party for Mafia II is another matter altogether. It is just incredible to think that such a venerable and respected institution would be so insensitive to allow this disgraceful attack on Italian Americans to be launched at their facility. It is just unthinkable and completely unacceptable that this would occur. If the tables were turned, the outcry would be immediate - and rightly so. Why should it be different for Italian Americans? The 92nd Street Y is making a huge mistake in being associated with this despicable situation.
I, along with the other Italian American leaders, as well as several prominent Jewish organizations and individuals, have made significant efforts to professionally and courteously contact the executives at the 92nd Street Y, specifically Executive Director Sol Adler, to seek out a meeting with them to find a solution to this divisive problem. Unfortunately, they have not acceded to our requests – although at first Adler did confirm by email to me that – “…we are in the process of working to resolve the situation so that the launch event for this video game does not take place at our institution.” After sending congratulatory emails of thanks to him, he unfortunately, reversed his decision.
I, along with the other Italian American leaders, as well as several prominent Jewish organizations and individuals, have made significant efforts to professionally and courteously contact the executives at the 92nd Street Y, specifically Executive Director Sol Adler, to seek out a meeting with them to find a solution to this divisive problem. Unfortunately, they have not acceded to our requests – although at first Adler did confirm by email to me that – “…we are in the process of working to resolve the situation so that the launch event for this video game does not take place at our institution.” After sending congratulatory emails of thanks to him, he unfortunately, reversed his decision.
Is there a similarity between this protest and other anti-defamation initiatives staged by Italian-American organizations such as the recent mobilization against the MTV show "Jersey Shore" or the historical protests against films like "The Godfather" or TV shows like "The Sopranos"?
I firmly believe that there is a galvanization occurring in the Italian American community supporting our efforts at fighting stereotyping and denigration. This is based upon what we directly experienced with our campaign against MTV’s disgraceful series “Jersey Shore.” We received national and international exposure of our efforts and many, many Italian Americans, as well as many people from other ethnicities and groups, expressed their strong support for our fight against these attacks on our heritage and culture. Our campaign included a concentrated public attack against MTV and the Jersey Shore encompassing securing many national advertisers to confirm publicly and in writing that they would not advertise on the series. We maintained the pressure on MTV and its advertisers and I am so pleased that our efforts were so successful. The result was that ALL of the references to Italian Americans and Italian symbolism and pejorative terms, so prevalent in the first season, were completely eliminated from the second season of Jersey Shore. This confirms that our efforts can and do have an effect.
Although there were similar protests and opposition to the Sopranos and other shows, I do believe the nature of Jersey Shore, being promoted as a “reality” show is, what brought such unanimity to the fight against it by so many Italian Americans.
However, I do believe the Mafia II game is a very different situation. This is due to the fact that, as opposed to a transient TV show, Mafia II will be played for hours and hours, day after day, week after week, and so on, by millions of young people, here in America and throughout the world. This will be a thorough and effective brainwashing of a new generation into seeing Italian Americans as being directly and inexorably tied to the murderous, bloody, sleazy criminals that inhabit the Mafia II world.
What else in your opinion could the Italian-American community do to correct the way in which IAs are portrayed and perceived in this country--other than reacting to the events and try to censor offensive behavior when it takes place? In other words, where does “reaction” end and “pro-action” begin?
You would be disingenuous to foster the idea that all we have done is be reactionary to these situations! On the contrary, Italian American organizations have a stellar record of promoting the positive things about Italian American heritage and culture. There have been millions of dollars and millions of hours expended by individuals and organizations, like UNICO National, in stressing the positives about our culture and heritage. As a matter of historical fact, UNICO National was actually founded because of discrimination against Italian Americans. But, instead of protesting that negative treatment, the philosophy and mission of UNICO National is for its volunteer members, across the country, to dedicate themselves to community service and charitable works - a positive form of anti-bias. Likewise, other IA organizations certainly have an outstanding record of service to the community.
As we know, Italian Americans have an unparalleled record, throughout history, in contributing to the world and this country. After all, we discovered it, we named it and we built it– and we continue to make major contributions through the arts, food, politics, sports, business, science, architecture, and on and on. However, this is not what gets the attention of the media or entertainment media! We can shout from the highest mountain top about the incredible contributions of Italians and Italian Americans but what we continuously see is the pervasive stereotype of mobsters, Mafiosi, bimbos and buffoons.
Enough is enough! We must diligently and relentlessly continue to campaign against the negative stereotyping and denigration of our heritage and culture. If not, we have to accept the fact that whenever anyone hears an Italian name or meets an Italian American, they will immediately perceive them to be equivalent to the stereotypical portrayals they see in all media.
Perception is reality — and the perception being hammered in, each and every day, is the negative stereotype of Italians and Italian Americans. If you think this does not have an effect on Italian Americans, in such things as career advancement, community acceptance, social interactions and other venues, you are supremely naïve. Stereotyping is how you marginalize and demean a group of people thereby creating prejudice. We should not tolerate stereotyping of Italian Americans, or for that matter, any other group.
In addition, it must be said that no one is promoting censorship. Instead, what we are seeking is fairness and equal treatment as compared to other ethnicities and groups. Why is it “off limits” to stereotype and demean other groups but Italian Americans must experience it every day?
I am so proud to be an American! And, I am proud of my Italian heritage. I feel a duty and obligation to the memory of my parents, who came to this country for a better life, as well as to the coming generations of Italian American youth, to protect, defend, celebrate and respect Our Shared Heritage, Our Shared Pride. I am hopeful that all Italian Americans will share that sentiment and not allow Italian Americans to continue to be the last ethnicity that it is OK to stereotype and denigrate.
I am so proud to be an American! And, I am proud of my Italian heritage. I feel a duty and obligation to the memory of my parents, who came to this country for a better life, as well as to the coming generations of Italian American youth, to protect, defend, celebrate and respect Our Shared Heritage, Our Shared Pride. I am hopeful that all Italian Americans will share that sentiment and not allow Italian Americans to continue to be the last ethnicity that it is OK to stereotype and denigrate.
Multimedia
Unity? Really?
Mr. DiMino states that he “firmly believe[s] that here is a galvanization occurring in the Italian American community.” Well, I would like to be as optimistic. He points to a group five organization, two of which are surely creditable. Three, on the other hand, are dubious beyond a doubt. Oops! Pardon the pun!
The Coalition of Italian American Associations (CIAA) of NY, led by Dr. Joseph Scelsa; The Italian American Legal Defense and Higher Education Fund, led by Jack Como; The Italian American Political Action Committee, led by James L. Lisa constitute three fifths of the list of groups with which UNICO has partnered. DiMino is “pleased that [these] Italian American groups” have joined in. Well, some have said that they thought UNICO was better than to associate with such a motley crew of phantom groups.
The first is a coalition that claims to have over one hundred members. I belong to a number of groups here and have never heard of this CIAA. Gee, CIA[A}. Does this sound ominous to anyone? And this guy Scelsa. Isn’t he the guy who was at the center of the CUNY case about bullying, when CUNY shelled out a ton of money? A case that has become required reading in seminars on labor issues, or am I mistaken? Didn’t he get pushed upstairs so that more people would not complain? I called the Calandra Italian American Institute to check my facts, and they told me he was no longer there. They said he founded the Italian American Museum. So I checked it out. Or tried to. It’s only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Huh? Three days only? So I went to the website. Same thing. Opened three days a week for the summer. Hmmm. Then I saw there is nothing new going on there. Shouldn’t there be some traffic during the summer? Who is the curator? What is its inventory? Nothing is on the website, and, if memory serves me, the only exhibit listed is an old one. So what is this thing? Is it truly a museum?
I googled the Italian American Legal Defense and Higher Education Fund and could not find a web site. What I did find of any import were references to it in what seems to be a self-aggrandizing history of the Calandra Institute that is also part hagiography of the former dean, the above-mentioned Scelsa. I understand there is a new dean there. He’s got to get rid of that history; it is an embarrassment. Anyway, it seems that this organization was tailor-made to serve the likes of Scelsa et al., and, I guess to gives out awards. That’s all I could find on the web. Jack Como? I was in his company once, a surly kind of guy who is bothered if he does not know you and you try to chat. That’s what I saw at the event I attended. He also seems to be a loyal follower, if not cheerleader, of Scelsa. What do they call these people? Sycophants, minions, no? It seems he was upset when a couple of organizations refused to honor Scelsa a couple of years ago. I also heard through the grapevine that this Legal Defense and Higher Education Fund has denied assistance to other Italian Americans who had a complaint against CUNY; one of these people, so I’ve been told, had his complaint against Scelsa. Really? So why would anyone want to partner with this group. What is DiMino thinking?
Well, Eureka! I did find a website for the Italian American Political Action Committee, led by James L. Lisa. But it has not been updated since 2007! And the chairman is Jack Como. Huh? I bet he is also somehow involved in the other groups. Now that would make a good study. In the meantime, I also googled James Lisa who, it seems, is the publisher of the “Queens Times”. While inclusive of all, it covers much concerning Italian Americans. Good for him! A little light is always a nice thing.
Anyway, these are not THE leaders of the Italian American community. I ask, why is there the need to make such a distinction? Also, where are those from the Order of Sons of Italy, the oldest organization of this type in the United States? Where are the representatives from the National Italian American Foundation? Are they, too, NOT leaders of the community in some way or another? Where is the Columbus Citizen Foundation? Are its members not qualified to be considered leaders in any way? Maybe because they do not agree with this guys they cannot be part of the club. What about some of the professors in the area and who specialize in Italian Americans Studies? Where are they in all of this? The big question is, I guess, where are all of the above in all of this? Are only Mr. DiMino and his group (Como, Lisa, Scelsa) the chosen few who are allowed to speak on this issue? Whew, sure gets me dizzy just thinking about it all…
I think our community deserves better. I think others need to step in. I think our “sophisticated” professors need to chime in on this. Where is the Calandra Institute in all of this? Why has it been silent? Those guys did such a good job with the “Guido” issue way back when. Where is Professor Gardaphe? He’s a kick-ass guy who tells it like it is. And Dr. Sciorra? Why hasn’t he chimed in on all of this? Com’on, guys, we need you to help save the day! Where is Mighty Mouse when you need him?
This is a prank, right? I'm
This is a prank, right? I'm seriously failing to grasp at what point in Mafia 2 (a fictional video game) does it stereotype Itailan-Americans as Mafioso so much more than any other story about the Itaian Mafia in America, it doesn't, dig for gold eles where. What is happening here boils down to people begging for money, where's the pride in that.
Waging a campaign...
The campaign needs to be a unified one. It cannot rely on a small group of people who walk goose-step together. Nor can it ever gain momentum with such toxic individuals involved. Only with firm and rational dignity of objection, and not with visceral toxicity of ethnic offense, can such a campaign achieve any semblance of success.
DiMino displays the typical
DiMino displays the typical Italian American bravado that is de rigor among these "anti-defamation" folks; he says of America, "we discovered it, we named it and we built it." With that attitude, it's no wonder no one bats an eye at stereotyping Italian Americans or rolling out mob video game, after mob movie, after mob cookbook. I mean, after all, if you "discovered it, named it and built it" then surely you can take a few public relations beatings. The fact is Italians (or Italian Americans) didn't discover this country, they didn't name it, and although they certainly added manpower, they didn't build it either. When you have such an inflated opinion of yourself and the contributions of your "group," then they've got you trapped in a little maze of your own insane making. He's got it ass-backwards: you don't counter "negatives" with "positives", because the latter are almost inevitably fluff, almost by virtue of the fact that they exist only to counter, that without such perceived attacks, IA would simply going strolling off into the sunset. Please, go, eat a fava; eat just one, and relax. IA are minorities, and unless they get their history - real history, not positive figures, nor mindless platitudes about how hard they worked - in the school books, they're destined to run in the rat maze, like DiMino, crying out injustice, while constantly pounding their chests silly, touting the (imagined) virtues of their (imaginary) ancestors. Giuseppe Villa
YOU clearly need to check
YOU clearly need to check your facts and history books...we Italians DID in fact discover this country and name it...because Amerigo Vespucci founded America and named it after himself. John Cabot...aka Giovanni Caboto...Yea that's not in our history books because Italians have always sat back and allowed everyone to walk all over us while every other culture and ethnicity fights tooth and nail and gets things done their way. You don't see press 2 for Italian do you?
And as far as your other numbers...we are the 5th largest ethnic group in the country...I would hardly say a minority. So no we don't beat our own chests...we state facts. You clearly are either NOT Italian or a pathetic Italian-American trying to be high and mighty in denouncing the efforts of Mr. DiMino and others in his position.
And now we do not just counter the negative with the positives...even if we didn't have to fight the negative stereotypes we would still be able to state the same facts as we do now because Italians made this country...like it or not, anywhere you look that is worth 5 seconds of your time had Italian influence.
I swear you can't possibly be Italian and quite frankly if you are not why are you reading this site and commenting so ignorantly. I would like to see people bash your culture or heritage and see how quickly you respond with such "silly touting" of "imaginary ancestors"...seriously buddy get a history book and do some research. You will not get far in this world by making false un supported accusations and attacks on others.
And we all also need to learn how to write...
... I got dizzy reading this response! Can we not write correctly and logically? Or does that not count anymore?
Keep fighting back
Thank you so much Andre for all of your efforts to fight against defamation of our heritage and culture. Please ignore these outrageous attacks on your good efforts. If these people are truly Italian American (I don't believe they are) they have a deep self-hatred of their heritage.
Bless you Andre for all that you do. Millions of Italian American appreciate it!
Keep fighting back until discrimination, stereotyping, and defamation end.
Wow!
Didn't I just read about a dragnet sweeping up 300 'Ndrangheta members on July 13? That this year the Calabrian Mafia meets at Polsi to induct new members? That Robert Saviano, author of Gamorrah, has to live under armed guard? That Berlusconi has ties to the Mob? That Godfathers are not an anachronism in the U.S.?
Why don't you guys get worked up about real oppression-- like the plight of women in Afghanistan-- or women in the south of your mother country. Have you heard of Amazzatecci Tutti? I have and I'm just a lowly American writer who's written a memoir about a trip to Italy years ago, and a novel set in the south, on the Costa Viola. If the Mafia is there, it's also here.... or do you claim not to know of any I/A's running drugs, guns, fixing horse races, paying off the NYPD..... think the French Connectiion days are over? Nope. xJ
Congrats...you wrote a
Congrats...you wrote a memoir...would you like a medal? Good for you! It does not make you any more knowledgeable than the rest of us. YES there is an Italian Mafia...we are not ignorant, unlike you apparently...BUT what we are fighting against, and again if you took the time to be an educated intelligent individual you would READ and not assume things...we are fighting against ONLY Italians and Italian Americans being portrayed as mobsters...if you read some history books or watch the news or follow anything else for that matter you would see that the Asian, Russian and South American mobs are just as powerful if not more destructive than the Italian ones.
As for oppression of southern women...I don't know when you last went to Italy but ALL my family is still there practically and if they are oppressed, well we in America should just be considered slaves. All women get to go to school should they choose, have a life, career etc. Most of them don't choose to do so because they have a brain in their heads and know staying home and not having to worry about work is a great way to live...they don't have the stressed we have here.
It's like being a housewife...a dream for me...so good for the women in Italy who keep that tradition alive...maybe that's why families there are so much stronger than here...they don't leave their kids to strangers to raise.
Ohh and important issues like women in Afghanistan? Check your sources yet again, UNICO and other organizations are constantly helping in thsoe fights as well but guess what they have their own organizations to take stands against it that we back and support just like the Jewish community has clearly backed us in this endeavor.
Wow, I love the ignorant people in this county.
re: Wow
"Why don't you guys get worked up about real oppression-- like the plight of women in Afghanistan-- or women in the south of your mother country. "
Exactly. Or, the violent attacks in Italy on immigrants and gay people, or the disgraceful behavior of Italian American opportunists like Lazio and Paladino, who demonize an entire religion to further their sleazy political ambitions. But then this crowd of "anti-defamationists" would have to overcome their pathetic ethnocentrism and conservative tunnel vision, and that ain't gonna happen.