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Posted by: Madame T (ttammone@kpmg.com) on 3/30/1998@14:23hrs:
Much has been said about Americans being Americans and not_____-Americans, etc. However, that is what makes America what it is. I'm very proud to be an American, but I'm also extremely proud of what my parents have accomplished since arriving in Staten Island many years ago. I'm extremely proud of what Italians have contributed to our civilization from the Roman Empire through the Rennaisance through the 20th century. Being proud of one's heritage doesn't make us disloyal Americans. What does bother me is that instead of embracing the art, the poetry, music, film, etc. that Italians have contributed to the world, 3rd, 4th and 5th generation Italian-Americans choose to focus on the negative portayals: the "Yo" boy, the "cugines", the mafia. My parents have always denounced the Mafia and everything that goes with the image. We were that family is everything. Education is extremely important. Perhaps more _____-Americans should look at their roots and traditions and be proud of where they come from and where they are taking America in the future.