Yesterday, I was filling out a very basic and common application for an entry-level position at a local hospital. As I have noticed in the past, there seems to be something missing from this application process. A giant void that leaves a foul, yet distinct taste in my mouth as if I had just decided it was kosher to consume pork on the Rhamadan. In a sense, this is as disrespectful to Italian-Americans as it is for Jews to eat bacon or ham on Rhamadan.
...I am in no way a professional blogger yet. Somehow I was cut short in my truthful discussion concerning the Italian working man and woman and sometimes child (usually the kids that have to smash grapes with their feet in old Sicily). Now as many of you may have guessed, I am a true-blooded Italian. But even more so, I am a full-out Sicilian. We succeeded from the north, or maybe that was simply a part of the erosion of the great Pangea. I think it was. Nonetheless, I was trying to portray an image of how blatantly disrespectful a certain part of the application process in America has become. No, I am not African-American, Hispanic, or really even Caucasian (unless I've drank too many of these fine cocktails; I tend to give a pale hue about my skin). So, business owners of the world. Realize and analyze this (Robert Deniro, Billy Crystal). In the 2000 U.S. Census annual report, Italian Americans constituted the fifth largest ancestry group in America with about 15.6 million people. That's 5.6% percent of the population. As of 2006, we became even more abundant at 17.8 million Italian-Americans comprising 6.0% of the U.S. populace (Euro-Americans.net/census2000). Yes, we are amazing people, but these numbers also show that with that amazingness, we deserve a spot on every ethnic background area of every kind and type of application in America.
What could be better than numerous amounts of absolutely amazing people in the respectful job positions? Even though we are sons and daughters of Italy, we cannot all become Rocky. I am not diluted into thinking that we are the greatest nationality of peoples because we were born that way. Maybe, but we had to work just as hard if not harder than those of less pure descent e.g. everyone who is not Italian. Believe me, business with a lack of these little giant-killing peoples is either a head shop or a Del Taco in my opinion.
Dan's Final Thought/Advice: If you seem to be having difficulty as an Italian-American in the workplace, there are still viable options that exceed basic entry-level positions. First of all, we can enroll and graduate from colleges and universities as anyone else; although, we cannot get the financial aid that the abolishionist-loving peoples receive. My advice would be to join the Sons of Italy, which is the largest and oldest known Italian-American fraternal organization in the United States. For you Italian Canucks, if you exist, there is a similar organization in Canada. I am an avid member of this fine establishment, and they have given me great insight into many aspects of our "Italianized" American culture.
Be creative and smart with your amazing attributes as an Italian. Do not allow stereotypes or naysayers to disrupt your rise to greatness. When in doubt, pretend and believe as if you were Mussolini himself, and you will undubitably land the job position you desire if the employer values his democracy. I look forward to a wide-open response of comments to this blog in particular, as it so practically pertains to my life. Adio.
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2 comments:
I have been a long time reader and fan of your highly informational and insightful blog. With that being said I find it hard to believe that a highly americanized person, with highly americanized parents such as yourself would even want to separate yourself from the rest of the workforce. Afterall, being an avid member of an ethnically specific workforce organization would only contradict your efforts of career development. In todays environment organizations are looking for workplace cohesion. Being a member of an ethnic organization only shows a potential employer that you are not willing to "fit in" and interact with other workplace associates but infact that you want to seperate or suceed from them and the organization. Being a third generation Italian doesnt give enough credibility to support the cause in the first place. With America's rich culture derived from hundreds of years of immigration there would be thousands of German,Irish,Mexican,Polish,Humgarian, Indian, South African, Timbucktuian, Canadian, you get the picture. The best way to go about things is to realize that we are American. Keeping and sharing the culture of one's native land is important and has influenced America more then anything else. However, it is important to adapt to the culture of America. In addition, displaying a strong sense of Italian culture will only show potential employers that one's loud, vain, tempremental, and spends an inordinate amount of time in the hair salon, gym, and local discoteque. But who am I speak out. Afterall, I am of German/Irish/French Canadian/Spanish/Mexican decent and have managed to take the cultural attributes of all of those ethnic groups and adapt them to moral American culture. I guess I could attempt to alienate myself from others in the hope of making myself more marketable to employers but it is a futile attempt. The main point I am trying to make is that we are all uniquely American. But if you wish join an ethnic sub-group organization in the hopes of better employment oppurtunitys I wish you all the luck in the world. The world needs plenty of telemarketers, dog kennel managers, and club bouncers. Afterall, see how it worked out for Mussolini.
I appreciate all readers because without them I may as well think to myself. I will do my best to always do justice to support my native culture even though I am not full-blooded or 1st generation. Yes, we need dog kennel managers haha, but I'm going to show the true meaning of dedication to a life inspired by medicine and holistic practices too. Remember, you can "Italianize" yourself. My opinion is just that America would be much better off with the sincere Italians in power. It wasn't too long ago, when African-Americans were called blacks and had very few rights. With powerful voices such as Italian American Perspective, just look at how much power they have achieved. Adio.
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