As an Italian-American, I am a lot of things. I am hot-blooded and passionate. I am religious and God-fearing. I am a hard worker. I am educated and civilized. I am fully aware of my heritage and the responsibility of being a part of this heritage. I am a modern day Roman, entrusted to secure the culture emanating from Italy, just like my ancestors before me and their ancestors before them.
I am not a "Guido," despite what MTV may think. My ancestors worked too hard and too long to escape that term for me to accept MTV's modified view of history. MTV wants to state “Guido” is a lifestyle, not an ethnic slur. How far from the truth that is. Guido and Guinea and Wop and Dago were words used to demean Italians upon their arrival to this country. This is an historical fact. The words were used to make a distinction between “superior” white culture and “uncivilized” Southern-Italian culture. They were possibly the last words countless Italians heard before they were beaten and killed by angry mobs. At no point were these terms endearing or affectionate. They were fueled by hatred, and they still are. Moreover, they are used today to create 'otherness' – just like they were during the greatest influx of Italian immigrants to America.
MTV wants us to believe that the word has changed since the days of Italian immigration. That's funny considering how, in my short life, any time someone has called me a Guido or a Guinea, it was to marginalize my cultural heritage- not to laud the achievements of it. I'm sure the same is true for each and every one of you. As Italian-Americans, we've been expected to endure a multitude of negative portrayals in the media. Generally, the issue at hand was the 'hidden' message of the portrayals. For example, a majority of the gangsters in the Sopranos and the Godfather were Italian. So, in a roundabout way, all Italians are gangsters and all gangsters are Italians. That was the hidden message. The message is no longer hidden. MTV intentionally used an ethnic slur to promote a show with an Italian cast. Depicting us in a negative way is one thing; simply telling America to watch a show because the cast is “Guido” is another. MTV has effectively created an Italian minstrel show. The network has crossed the line, and it should be held accountable for its transgressions.
As an Italian American, I am a lot of things. A fool isn't one of them. Accepting MTV's interpretation of the ethnic slur “Guido,” would be extremely foolish. We as a community need to come together to say enough is enough. We need to tell MTV and all that will listen that “Guido” is an unacceptable and hateful way to refer to Italians. The time for action is now. Any newspaper or news show speaking of the show openly calls the cast members Guidos, as if it is a matter of fact. We need to bring this to an end.
~Greg
**Please contact sponsors of the show at addresses below. To date, 2 companies have pulled their advertisements from the show in less than a week after the show premiered. Keep up the good work guys!
Sponsors of Jersey Shore-
-Nintendo: 425-882-2040
-T mobile: 1-877-453-1304
-Chili’s: 972-980-9917
-FLO TV: 858-651-7334
-Taco Bell: 1-800-TACO-BELL
-Victoria’s Secret: 1-800-411-5116
-First Response: 1-800-524-1328
-Zappos: 1-800-927-7671
-Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
-Rhapsody: ... 212-391-6668
-McDonalds: 1-800-244-6227
-Sprint: 1-888-211-4727
-BodyHeat Cologne: 1-800-887-2738
-Lionsgate (‘Brothers’-movie): 310-449-9200
-Macy’s: 1-800-659-6229
-Sony (PSP): 1-800-345-7669
-Subway: 1-800-888-4848
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