Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Stereotypes sell . . . but we're not for sale

Can you think of anything good about stereotypes? I can't.

The Italian American community has published the book Anti-Italianism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2010), which documents how Italians of all stripes are stereotyped in North America. My article, Stereotypes sell, but we're not for sale, is the only Canadian contribution to this collection of essays by American scholars, media, writers.

Two steps forward. One step back. For all the gains Italians have made in North America, the mobster and the gum-chompin' bimbo still manage to portray us on television screens and publicity ads. Two steps forward. One step back.

We've come a long way . . . but not far enough - yet!



Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Last Rite wins 2010 CEMA Award

On November 6, The Last Rite won the 2010 Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA)(http://www.canadianethnicmedia.com/) Award in the category of best television documentary for its sensitive and thoughtful multifaith portrayal of death and dying. The Honourable Federal Minister of Labour, Lisa Raitt, was on hand to present the award to an audience of more than 250 people. Other winners at the CEMA Awards Gala were in the categories of television (news), radio, print, internet and the distingished Sierhey Khmara Ziniak Award for exemplary work in the field of multiculturalism. From the presenters to the entertainment to the winners, it was an evening in celebration of diversity.