In the NY Post's Thursday (May 27th 2010) edition, the front page had two stories on it- both pertaining to separate Italian American politicians. The first story dealt with New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and the second was about State Representative Vito Fossella.
In the story about Andrew Cuomo, the headline called Cuomo's choice for running mate (Cuomo is running for NY Governor) his "compare." On it's surface, that may not be terrible. However when taken in totality with the next story, it becomes questionable.
Moving just inches down the page, we have the story about Vito Fossella. The headline? "A Political Offer Vito Can't Refuse."
These stories lead me to this question- Why are these politicians being boiled down to merely their ethnicities? Do you honestly think, had they been Hispanic, there would be a reference to a running mate as an "ese?" Or if it was a Jewish politician, would his running mate be called "bubelah?
And what about "An Offer he Can't Refuse?" That, to me, is a thinly veiled mob reference while discussing an Italian politician. It would be lunacy to suggest that the paper does this with other politicians of other ethnicities. You don't see items about Irish politicians alluding to them being intoxicated. But hey, if its an Italian- WE KNOW he's in the mob, so its fine.
Finally, what really gets to me here is that, these politicians aren't buffoons. These are accomplished individuals. Its not like the Post was ridiculing the cast of the Jersey Shore. And without fail, the Post (just like all other media outlets) easily equated Italians with the Mob. In today's politically correct world, I'm afraid that's unacceptable.
Still think I'm kidding about how others view us when a major paper refers to us like this? Just check out the comments people left on the Post's website under the story-
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