Italian Stereotypes in Commercials

We're big fans of the OSIA here. It was the first Italian organization to recognize us and we're forever grateful of that. Recently, the OSIA posted a compilation of what it deemed to be “Anti-Italian” commercials that received heavy airplay. It also included in the report a poll of non- Italians and how they viewed the Italian community.

The OSIA's report was staggering. First off, the polls:

A Zogby poll of American teenagers aged 13-18 revealed that 78% of those polled associate Italian Americans with criminal activity and/or blue- collar work.

Another poll conducted out of Princeton University revealed that 74% of American adults believe most Italians are connected to organized crime.

The consistency of the numbers, across two separate polls leads one to believe the numbers are accurate. If anyone believes the way the media portrays us does not affect our image- the numbers don't lie. Another reason this is a problem? The US Dep't of Justice claims less than .0025% of the Italian American community is involved with, or connected to, organized crime

Next in the report is anti-Italian commercials. We've also written about offensive commercials in the past. Each item explains why the commercial was deemed offensive- including gems like:

UNCLE BEN’S PASTA BOWL PRINT AD-

“If you eat an Uncle Ben’s pasta bowl,” the ad reads, “don’t be surprised ifa youa starta talking likea this afterwards.”

AT&T BROADBAND TV COMMERCIAL-

A teacher warns a student that he will fail her class because his assignment is late. Two characters from “The Sopranos” appear and threaten the teacher if the student doesn’t receive an “A.”