To the editor,
I am bit perplexed why The Brooklyn Paper would write an article that promotes a walking tour focused on the Mafia (“This is one ‘Crazy’ Tour — Enjoy the sights of South Brooklyn’s mob past,” May 1).
Maybe you are not aware of the more compelling stories that make up 99.9 percent of Italian and Italian-American contributions to New York. Perhaps you just need to be educated because you did not realize that this type of reporting is biased.
When I did a simple search for “Mafia” on your Web site, there are 22 articles that appear compared to 18 for the terms “Italian” or “Italians.”
William Medici, Manhattan
The writer is head of the Medici Foundation, whose mission is to “preserse and promote Italian-American and Italian heritage for the benefit and enrichment of all people.”
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To the editor,
Why does your paper insist of treating all Italians as mobsters? Where are the articles that appropriately depict a majority of Italians as hard workers, innovators, pioneers, sports people and the police and fire departments? The list goes on.
Why is it that the media continues to forget that the majority of Italian migrants were (and still are) hard-working, family oriented people?
Does your paper focus on secular Jewish groups and portray them as “totally Jewish”? What about other nationalities?
I have an Italian heritage, and it is time that you take note that neither I nor my family appreciate you creating a biased, stereotypical, sensationalist image of Italians in general to cash in on a few bucks for your article.
Giorgio Repeti, Manhattan
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To the editor,
Why the devil would anyone write such an article that promotes a walking tour focused on the Mafia? Did this author, Tom Folsom, conduct a walking tour that might have covered all of the important sections of Brooklyn that were founded by immigrants over the many years and who improved the communities in which they lived?
You would allow it for no other group of people.
When was the last time you allowed such an article to be written about any other ethnic or racial group?
I would appreciate some form of apology to the Italian-American community, especially for those of us who were born, raised, educated and have contributed to the great borough of Brooklyn. As always, free press is allowed in this great country of ours, but what is most important is what is appropriate to our society. That article is and was not!
Joseph Sciame,
New Hyde Park, N.Y.
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To the editor,
Enough is enough!
I address this to Brooklyn Paper Senior Editor Vince DiMiceli. If you are really of Italian heritage, how can you continue doing this nonsense to fellow Italians?
Those of Italian heritage have been dealing with discrimination for centuries and it is time to stop bringing Italians down.
As one of Italian heritage, why not write about and give tours about the positive contributions Italian-Americans have made to America?
Please cease and desist from this detrimental nonsense and move to promote the positive issues the majority of Italian-Americans have done to advance the Italian standing throughout the world.
James Lisa,
Corona, Queens
Editor’s note: We received a large number of e-mails regarding our article about author Tom Folsom’s walking tour of historic sites in the life of Joey Gallo. The article was not about Gallo’s heritage. Indeed, the word “Italian” did not appear in the story.
Lobster shift
To the editor,
Recently, I read Mike McLaughlin’s article about the reopening of Armando’s restaurant [“Is it lights out or sign up for Armando’s?” April 7]. It immediately rekindled a memory I thought lost forever. I was born in Brooklyn Heights, but now live in Vero Beach, Florida. My family and I often return to the neighborhood to recharge our social batteries.
Last year, we were shocked to see the little lobster was gone along with all its memories. The sign with the lobster was a beacon that told folks they were home.
“Another piece of history gone,” I thought. “How sad.”
But the news that the sign may return was a shot of hope for me, along with several others I’ve talked to. How great it would be if the next time we return to the Heights, there would be that little lobster telling us we’re home.
I urge the Landmarks Commission to rule for the little lobster’s return.
Frank Genovese,
Vero Beach, Fla.
We do have lard
To the editor,
I have to respond to Vito Gentile’s recent letter about lard bread [“Lard ask,” letters, April 30].
He wrote that “lard bread doesn’t exist in the United Kingdom.” Wrong!
He doesn’t have to long in vain for his fatty treats. Lard bread is known by several names in several regions in the United Kingdom, including “Fourses Cake” or “Lardy Johns,” among others.
Please don’t perpetuate this culinary chauvinism, claiming that lardy treats come exclusively from the Italians.
British food has been maligned and misunderstood for too long!Kate Perry, Kingston
upon Thames, England
Add nauseam
To the editor,
It’s important to note that after meeting with members of the community and hearing their concerns about the proposed athletic center, St. Joseph’s College announced that it is rethinking its plans so that they better fit into the neighborhood (“Rejected! St. Joe’s bails on Clinton Ave gym plan,” May 8).
The willingness to re-examine development plans is incredibly rare in institutions, especially in our crowded city, and St. Joseph’s should be praised for their commitment to being a good neighbor.Simeon Bankoff,
Windsor Terrace
The writer is executive director of the Historic Districts Council.
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To the editor,
Three groups deserve the thanks of Brooklyn residents for preventing the construction of a basketball stadium in Clinton Hill by St. Joseph’s College:
1) the residents of Clinton Hill, who created their neighborhood’s historic district to protect the appearance, living conditions and property values of their attractive community.
2) The members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, who prevented a structure from being erected that would adversely affect the appearance of this handsome historic neighborhood.
3) And the leaders of St. Joseph’s College, who accepted the decision of the commission and indicated their willingness to work with their neighbors to design a gym that will enhance the appearance of this vibrant part of Brooklyn.
John Casson, Park Slope
