We thought this was interesting: a reader sent in the following screen-cap from the website Ship of Fools
Ship of Fools' site has a "Mystery Worshiper" (Amanda B. Reckonedwythe- how clever) who goes to various churches on Sundays and gives his review of the neighborhood and the church services. This particular Sunday, the Mystery Worshiper was in Regina Pacis - one of Brooklyn's most beautiful churches (that has recently been elevated to a Basilica.)
Ship-of Fools' mission statement claims,
" We're here for people who prefer their religion disorganized," says the Ship's editor and designer, Simon Jenkins. "Our aim is to help Christians be self-critical and honest about the failings of Christianity, as we believe honesty can only strengthen faith."
Apparently, the way for Christians to come to terms with their faith is to go into ethnic neighborhoods and demean the population.
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| Beautiful Regina Pacis |
What amazes me is that the "Mystery Worshiper" had never been in Regina Pacis and had never been to Dyker Heights prior to his trip. Yet, in one Sunday he found out that Dyker Heights is THE home of the the Mafia and also home to poor Italians. How fascinating- and wrong.
Anyone who has been to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn knows 2 things: the area is overwhelmingly Italian and it certainly is not poor. Dyker Heights is home to some of the most lavish and expensive houses in Brooklyn.
Anyone who has been to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn knows 2 things: the area is overwhelmingly Italian and it certainly is not poor. Dyker Heights is home to some of the most lavish and expensive houses in Brooklyn.
See how Dyker Heights is one of the wealthier areas in South Brooklyn? See how the Mystery Worshiper knows nil about where he was?
Further, if the neighborhood were THE home of the Mafia - do you really think the residents would talk about it like a tourist attraction? On what grounds does the Mystery Worshiper base his claim that,
"Residents will furtively point out the garish, overdecorated homes of present and former capos and consiglieri, as well as the social clubs and pizza parlors that could be lifted off the set of the Sopranos if they weren't for real."
So, not only are the inhabitants mafiosi, but any and all Italian establishments must be Mafia enterprises. Sure. I guess his stereotype-laden rebuke of the area was his way of being a
"good Christian." A fine way of saying thanks to a neighborhood and
parish that welcomed an outsider in on a Sunday morning.
This is why we HATE Italian stereotypes on TV and movies. It gives non-Italians the idea that Italian neighborhoods are "ganglands" and that everyone is a Mobster or mob-affiliate. It makes people believe that individuals with vowels at the end of their names are dangerous and corrupt. Trust me, as a person from Bensonhurst (a neighboring area of Dyker), there are thousands of hard-working, honest Italians in Dyker Heights. They do not need some dope to besmirch them.
Our recommendation to the Mystery Worshiper: Pay more attention in Church and pray for your soul. We think you missed the part where God dislikes prejudice.
Our recommendation to the Mystery Worshiper: Pay more attention in Church and pray for your soul. We think you missed the part where God dislikes prejudice.
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