110833841
To the Editor:
I recently watched a very interesting documentary about Italian immigrants and their long journey to Ellis Island where they would begin a new life in America. I started to reflect on the concept of stereotypes, which has always been so prevalent in our society.
While watching this true depiction of the strong Italian influence rather than through movies and music, I never realized how much I did not know. It could be very easy to take for granted what has been so accessible, but after seeing the facts in black and white, it makes someone realize that many had to pay a high price for success and acceptance. While there is tribulation in every culture and within every generation, a little rain must fall.
I was fortunate to be born on a sunny day, never having to experience these struggles. I cannot cry over hardships that were not mine, only for the ones who have suffered in order to give us a more hopeful future. Of course, there are always going to be specific traits related to every nationality, so I think of this subject as a compliment rather than a put-down. I find that some of the stereotypes associated with our culture could be seen as warm and endearing, yet more often than not, negative aspects overpower the good.
I guess that could be said about everyone; we all may sometimes find ourselves being melted into the same pot. Having been raised in the Italian culture, I could speak only about the stereotype I was born into, especially growing up in South Philadelphia. I try not to take it so seriously because I feel that it is quite foolish to gather up a few cliché ideas and believe them to be true.
There are many characteristics associated with our heritage that are accurate, but when they are overblown it becomes fiction rather than fact. I think of stereotype as a caricature as opposed to a portrait, one is a true likeness, while the other is a distorted version in which we are unfairly defined. It allows others to judge us before knowing who we are as people. Stereotypes steal our right to be individuals, force us into a typecast that could be grossly exaggerated and find us guilty merely by association. I am very proud and grateful to have been raised in the Italian culture, and will never be influenced or insulted by anyone who thinks otherwise. It simply will never matter.
Debbie Russsino
South Philadelphia
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