Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, & Chef Boyardee; one of these things is not like the other. In the wake of the world becoming more aware of the damage caused by racial stereotypes, many of the icons with which we have become accustomed are being replaced. Land o’ Lakes recently removed the native American from … Continue reading Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben, & Chef Boyardee
#westcoastitalians
Are Italian-Americans Italian?
Are Italian-Americans Italian? People keep telling me we aren’t. When I say I am Italian, Italian-Italians, those born in Italy, look at me with suspicion and scoff. American Uber-patriots chide me, telling me that I am American. In their minds, to associate myself the culture of my forbears is close to treason. With so many … Continue reading Are Italian-Americans Italian?
An Italian-American Christmas
Several years back, an evangelical Christian co-worker was complaining about the secularization of Christmas. “Jesus is the reason for the season,” he declared, literally raising his arm, pointing to the heavens above. “What does Christmas mean to you? Is it a holiday or an holyday?” he asked, almost daring me to answer incorrectly, or at … Continue reading An Italian-American Christmas
Noto Antica
Ciao Tutti!! There are days which will stand out in my life. This was one of them. It is easy to get carried away with ourselves. Well, I guess I shouldn’t project my own shortcomings on to others. Let me say, rather, it is easy for me to get carried away with myself, especially when … Continue reading Noto Antica
“Il bar più a sud d’Europa isole escluse.”
Ciao Tutti!!! Another terrific day in Sicily. We left the hotel with an ultimate destination of Cape Passero. We were barely on the road when we stopped at an abandoned farmhouse. The farm had been made into a museum. Apparently, someone who had found some Roman mosaics and were chipping away pieces destroying them and … Continue reading “Il bar più a sud d’Europa isole escluse.”
