A national Italian-American organization is asking MTV to cancel its new show Jersey Shore before it starts airing. Read the full post.
Nov 24
2009
10:20 PM ET
MTV stands by 'Jersey Shore' despite Italian-American protest
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My parents immigrated from this country and worked hard everyday of there life. I do not go tanning nor have I ever been to the Jersey Shore because I’m not a fake Italian. I cannot stand this stereotype, funny or not. I don’t see a reality show of drunk Irish or a house of 20 Mexicans. Why is it ok to call Italians guido’s when most of us are not. If you can’t say then N word, don’t say the G word. I’m not nor will I ever be one.
Antonella – This show is not about everyday Italians. My father came from Greece and has that same “work hard so my kids can have a better life” story your parents have, so I know what you’re talking about. You are right – you are not a “fake” Italian – it’s the “Guidos” who have fake tans and fake press-on nails and misrepresent what it means to be a true Italian. Finally, people! “Guido” is not a “G” word and is miles away from comparable to the N word. Take a look at American History and you tell me why I think that . . . . “Guidos” is a term referring to young punks who give their families bad names – that’s all! Stop making this bigger than it is. You should be mad at the Guidos, not the people calling them what they WANT to be called!
And to just clarify what I said – in no way am I trying to diminish the fact that Italians have been treated badly in American history – I know they have, much like many other cultures – Irish, Italian, Japanese, etc – but I’m sorry, I think it goes too far to compare “the G word” to the the “N” word.
My father is Greek, and my Mom is from Cuba, so I look Cuban – you know how many times I’ve been told to “go back where I came from” because people think I’m Mexican and possibly here illegally!? There are tons of stupid people out there, and I don’t let them get to me, but for us smart folks, we know that the cast members of ‘Jersey Shore’ do not truly represent what it means to be Italian.
Jersey Shore on MTV should continue to run on air. I am 100% Italian and do not find this offensive in any way.
you are not offended because you must be American-Italian. Anyone 100% Italian from Italy (like me/family/friends) finds this show very offensive and a disgrace.
Its not that they are simply portraying a true stereotype. The problem is they way they are Being described and Portrayed as being what italian american culture is about. even the reps from MTV call these idiots Italian americans who are just proud of their ethnicity.. UH.. thats LUDICROUS they ARE saying hey heres a show about italian americans and their ethnicity!!
So the point about Flava Flav and other shows simply are not the same because they are not Claiming to represent African American culture and pride! A Derogotory view of Italians in this country has been so hard wired into peoples brains by hollywood that noone even sees how wrong this truely is. This time its gone too far and has to stop. I was born and raised in Italy and and live in NY and our culture Is NOTHING like its so often portrayed in media and donned by ignorant Wannabees trying to cling to a mockery of a culture they never experienced in the first place to try and identify themselves with because they might hae some italain blood in them, its a joke. The way these kids are marketed and portayed Is HIGHLY offensive and is a direct attack by MTV that defames Italian culture.
its the same as if they did shows that claim Arab Ethnicity as a bunch of second generation arabs pretending to be an extremist muslim terrorist cell.. etc etc.. Imagine that?
And just to show how misled most americans are about our culture the mayor of NY Micheal Bloomberg some years back thought that having the cast of the sopranos in an italian American Parade celebrating our heritage was a good idea boy was he wrong. A local Elementary school used a Mafia theme for their columbus day celebration and sent out fliers that said baddabing and Forgetoutit
with drawings of handguns !!! another school in the bronx Recently performed an italian classic Pinnochio and turned all the characters into Mafia, and guido stereotypes. ..This crap happens all the time, and its shows like this that perpetuate it and make it seem OK. Implanting this image into the minds of so many. anyone who is against Bigotry and racism should stand up against this.
You are 100% right. Go to Italy people–you will see how America and American Italian people have changed our REAL culture into a mess and a disgrace!
It is understood that these are stereotypes, but these are REAL people and it just so happens that this is the story that MTV wishes to tell…that of overly tanned; greased up; attention craved youngn’s who like to party. Hey, the Flavor of Love didn’t portray enthic women in the best light, and although they embrassed themselves people watched it. That same line of thinking applies to this show. This is how these people act, and they don’t care that a camera is in front of them. Yes, it makes Italians look bad, and?
I grew up in Seaside and now I live in upstate NY. Although I miss living at the beach, I am so glad that I don’t have to put up with the stupid s**t as seen on that show. These f***ing people are a bunch of sleezes. They are surely the Italian trash I remember that came from the city in the summer. These people give Italians a bad name. It is so nice living in the sticks now……
This was about the dumbest show that could ever air. A bunch of gay steroid users who beat women. You all should be so proud of yourselves.
THE JERSEY SHORE IS MY LIFE!!!!!!!
The Jersey Shore is a highly intellectual show. These people are our youths role models, and we should look up to the Guidos and Guidettes on this show, and strive to be JUST LIKE THEM.
If you dont like the show…….dont watch it
I am all for fun, but this is not fun or funny–just stupid trash. REAL Italian people do not act like these idiots on this show. It is unfourtunate that REAL Italian people are thought to be like that because some of the American-Italian people have turned the culture into being rednecks. My family and friends in Italy and in the US would be very offended. Go to Italy and see how REAL Italian people and their culture is nothing like these kids and other redneck American-Italian people portray it to be.
Excuse the redneck part–my English is still not perfect and my wife said that the term is not nice. I just want people to realize how some American-Italian people have portrayed the culture to be so disgraceful and that it is nothing like that in Italy.
I am not Italian in anyway, but i dont think the show is a controversial as evrybody is making it. They are Italian, but they act the way they want. So why would it matter if they were anyother race? And for all the Italians who dont like the way they are acting, how about you support your race.