At the Table

Italian-Americans have been portrayed as mobsters in American cinema, which has had an impact on their business and identity. These stereotypes originated from discrimination faced by Italian immigrants and were reinforced during the Prohibition era. Hollywood has romanticized the mafia lifestyle, but these portrayals are not always accurate. The son of an Italian storefront owner shares how these depictions affected his father's business. However, perceptions have started to change with the decline of Italian crime. By challenging these stereotypes, we can achieve a more inclusive and accurate representation of the Italian-American identity. Welcome to At the Table with Tony, the podcast where we dive into the portrayal of cultural groups in American cinema. I'm your host, Josh Gonzalez, and in today's episode, we're examining the depiction of Italian-Americans as mobsters in film, and how these stereotypes have forced their business to change. From the Godfather to The Sopranos, Italian-American mobsters have become iconic figures in American cinema. But how accurate are these portrayals, and what impact do they have on perceptions of Italian-American identity? Our guest today is Mr. Booker, a cultural historian specializing in Italian-American studies. Mr. Booker, thank you for joining us. It's my pleasure. Thank you for having me. Mr. Booker, let's start by discussing the origins of these stereotypes. How did Italian-Americans become so closely associated with organized crime and the public imagination? The stereotypes of Italian-American mobsters can be traced back to the early 20th century, when Italian immigrants faced discrimination and were often depicted as violent and untrustworthy in the media. This negative portrayal was reinforced during the Prohibition and the rise of organized crime in America. Here, I have a clip from The Sopranos that gives a great representation of this. Grosso. Grosso. You think it's coincidence they sent him? He was an Italian and he's back at the office sweeping up. Stupid jerk. They probably frisk him every night before he goes home. Why? Why? Because he has a valentine in his name. That's why. Grosso. What do you think? He's going to make it to the top by arresting his own people? He'll do it. He'll see. He'll learn. We have a val. That's been right, and you'll be proud of it. Jesus Christ, you'd think there never was a Michelangelo, the way they treat people. So, these stereotypes didn't emerge out of thin air, they were shaped by historical and cultural factors? Exactly. The portrayal of Italian-Americans as mobsters in film is just one of the manifestations of these broader stereotypes. Hollywood has a long history of romanticizing the mafia lifestyle, portraying monsters as charismatic anti-heroes. But how accurate are these portrayals? Joining us now is Tony, son of an Italian storefront owner who is speculated to be covering crime. Tony, thank you for being here. It's wonderful to be here. Thank you for having me today. Tony, your dad grew up during a period of time that was difficult for Italians to be associated with legal money. How does the portrayal in film compare to reality, and how did these portrayals affect your father's business in a negative way? Hollywood often glamorizes the mafia lifestyle, glossing over the violence and corruption that are inherent to organized crime. While some aspects may ring true, many films take creative liberties for the sake of entertainment. These portrayals affected the image of his legal money, which ultimately caused change within the Italian culture. The portrayal of Italian-Americans as monsters has undoubtedly left a mark on popular culture. What is one thing you would want us to know about being an Italian business storefront owner? Well, one thing I want you to know is since my father has retired, he's stressed the improvement of these stereotypes. However, these impressions have not left a stain on Italian culture. Do you think that perception has changed over the years? With the developing FBI and police, many families have went into hiding, which has slowed the Italian crime front, allowing these negative effects to fade away. As our conversation has shown, the depiction of Italian-Americans as mobsters in American cinema is a complex issue with deep roots in history and culture. By acknowledging and challenging these stereotypes, we can work towards an inclusive and accurate representation of the Italian-American identity in the media. That's all for today's episode of At the Table with Tony. Join us next time. And my name is Josh Gonzalez, your host and your co-host, Vincenzo Bocca. Thank you guys for listening.