(AGENPARL) – mer 12 luglio 2023 Comitato Tricolore per gli Italiani nel Mondo
Il Presidente
Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez
Office of the 33rd Ward
3001 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60618
Dear Alderwoman Rodriguez-Sanchez:
As a Representative elected in the United States for the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE)
and on behalf of the Comitato Tricolore per gli Italiani nel Mondo, I express deep disappointment
regarding the offensive and inappropriate “tweet” that portrays Italian Americans of Chicago in a
negative light. It was disrespectful and insensitive to suggest erecting statues of an Italian Ice and
or a Bialetti monument. Your approval of comments advocating for statues of Al Capone eating
spaghetti, or “Giardiniera Fountains” is wholly inappropriate. Such negative stereotypes are a sign
of ignorance and prejudice, and CTIM’s mission as a not-for-profit organization is to end
discrimination against Italian Americans. Please consider the many outstanding achievements of
Italians, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Enrico Fermi, Marconi, Meucci, and many more inventors
and scientists, as well as the contributions of Italian Americans to this great Country and our
world’s culture.
I would encourage Alderwoman Rodriguez–Sanchez to take swift action and rectify this
embarrassing situation for the Chicago Administration as well, with a sincere public apology to the
Italian Americans and the entire Community. As well as to refrain from further ethnicity-base
humor, I recommend you to visit Italy. Indeed, you will find a friendly Country, with individuals
capable of surprising feats and a whole community, which reacts to ill-informed prejudice with a
smile.
Vincenzo Arcobelli
http://www.comitatotricolore.org
July 10, 2023