Stereotypes Challenged

Posted Apr 29, 2007 by Grace-Anne Alfiero

Updated Apr 29, 2007 at 05:47 PM

Part of the reason why this trip to Japan has been so interesting for me is because I have a background of enjoying ethnic traditions while I grew up in an Italian American family.  I have scads of memories enjoying Sunday dinners at my grandparents’ New York apartment, running under the table, helping set the table and devouring pans of homemade lasagna, ziti and my favorite, Argurio Specials.  Argurio Specials are small tubes of macaroni stuffed with chopped sirloin and then boiled and prepared with a thick 7-hour tomato and pork gravy.

When I was a young adult I used to get so angry at how Italian American families were depicted in Hollywood.  The advertised version of Italians is that we are a prideful, hot headed, crime loving kind of people that tend to decorate our houses with garish gold and bronze trinkets.  Hollywood makes us look like soulless people and that could not be further from the truth.

In 2005 I wanted to find out about the people I descended from so I took a trip with my husband to Italy. I had real conversations with many of the locals.  What I discovered is that the average Italian is deeply concerned about the future of our planet, that they have advanced knowledge of art, art history and their culture.  They are beyond stylish and gorgeously hospitable. I felt truly connected and hold on to the prideful part of that stereotype.

My travels and business in Japan have been equally as enlightening as my travels in Italy.  Japanese Americans also endure a negative stereotype in our country.  I cringe every time I think that anyone would use Mickey Rooney’s character in “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” as a frame of reference for this culture.

As I enjoyed meals with my Japanese colleagues we spoke about our time with family when we were growing up and how modern day responsibilities are getting in the way of good old fashion family time.  I see this affecting our world in a very negative way.  My mom is the exception.  She makes sure every holiday is celebrated with the correct recipes and traditions.  She travels sometimes to four and five grocery stores making sure to get the proper ingredients.  Compromising is not an option.  At a recent Easter gathering my dad commented that he was afraid that these traditions would not carry on.  Now I know what my new goals need to be and where I should focus my energy.