"The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee video features several Italian Stereotypes"
Over the last few days, I was forwarded links to two videos- Brooklyn, 11223 and The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. When I was forwarded these links, I kind of figured what I was about to witness. I imagined that 1) there would be Italians and 2) they would be doing something cringe-worthy. Unfortunately, I was right on both counts. However, I didn't expect that I was underestimating how cringe-worthy the performances would be.
Let’s take The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee first. (You can read our article on Brooklyn 11223 here)
Every Italian stereotype you could imagine was in The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee- with stupidity and violence commanding the spotlight. Here’s a brief synopsis of the video, which you could also view here:
Every Italian stereotype you could imagine was in The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee- with stupidity and violence commanding the spotlight. Here’s a brief synopsis of the video, which you could also view here:
Opening: An Italian Flag.
Paulie Walnuts from The Sopranos is the host of the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. Dr. Melfi from The Sopranos is the co-host.
| Pictured: Literacy |
Every participant in the “bee” is Italian- and they are asked to spell Italian words.
Not just Italian words- bastardized Italian words. Example: "Mutzadell" for Mozzarella.
For the purposes of the video, the correct spelling is the Mutzadell- improper is Mozzarella. This happens with several words, including Brahjzoot ( prosciutto), and Madanad (for marinara sauce). The prize for the winner? A meatball hero.
 |
| Hmm- maybe this is how they spell it in Jersey? |
All the while, we have Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa in the audience. Their child is a participant in the bee. With every word, Mark Consuelos (who is Hispanic) turns to Kelly Ripa (an Italian) and says- “that’s now how you pronounce it or spell it.” Ripa replies by telling Consuelos he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. She also says. "Mark- this is their culture"- as if he should stop attacking it.
| Consuelos' face just about sums it up |
Consuelos finally confronts Paulie Walnuts and Dr. Melfi about the spelling and pronunciation of the words. Walnuts motions to two “goons” dressed in typical Mafioso attire to attack Consuelos for interrupting. Consuelos insists he was joking to make the goons go away. The End.
The video was all over Facebook and Twitter- and for a time gave that KONY campaign a run for its money.
What’s wrong with the video? Everything. From the Italian actors turning in yet-another-stereotypical performance on Italians, to the voice of reason and intelligence being a non-Italian, to the children who acted out Italian stereotypes dressed in track suits and a Snooki outfit- everything with this video was upside down. The stereotypes were on full display- again by Italian actors. When will the Italian community learn to not laugh at these portrayals, and start holding our own kind responsible for their actions?
| Probably never |
As a brief aside- before anyone “informs” me that Italian Americans pronounce things differently than Italians- please consider this: even though we all know what you mean (mutzadell= mozzarella), you are not actually speaking a real language, or uttering a real word. Its similar to when you hear a baby say “ba-ba” for bottle- you know what they mean, but you won't find the word in a dictionary. And yes, folks- I hate to break it to you, but “gabagool” is not a word, either. It's, "capicola."
Want to read more on Bensonhurst and Italian stereotypes? Check out our article on Oxygen Network's TV show Brooklyn, 11223
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Actually, Mark Consuelos is half Italian as is his wife. As a child, he spent many years in Italy and speaks the language.
ReplyDeleteWhile we agree, we must say- the video does not portray him as an Italian. It portrays him as an outsider looking in. Moreover, the outsider knows more about the Italian language, customs and culture than the Italians themselves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback!