Many nationalities and races have particular derrogatory names, that when said outloud, you are just plain asking for it. For African Americans its the "N" word, for Chinese Americans its the "C" word, and for Italian Americans, that word is Guido. So was MTV creating a show all about the hottest, tannest, and buffest "Guidos" to start a controversy for attention, or are they just that naive. Aside from a show based on "Guidos", don't even get people started on the fact that they actually say the word aloud on national television.
Italian American's, are outraged with what they see as a mockery of their nationality. Andre Dimino president of UNICO says he objects to the term whether it is self inscribed or not.
As a Caucasian I do not go around calling African Americans the "N" word, even though many of them refer to themselves by the name. Wouldnt you assume that the same rule apply for "Guido"?
It is possible that since the show was so extreamly open about using the word, that it has severely influenced our culture, and has diminished the negative connotation of calling an Italian American a "Guido".
It is truly amazing how a simple, joke of a show can change society.
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Wow, you have a strong opinion here--I wish you had said a bit more. Is Guido as bad as the "N" word? Are there any resources on the Internet you could link to that would support your opinion? I'm also curious about how this show has changed society. How has it done that?
ReplyDeleteI really like how your post makes people think. I dont think that the "N" word should really ever be used. I dont think Guido is as bad as that. Im not Italian so i wouldn't really care if a person called me that. i think people are taking the show to seriously and that its okay to use Guido.
ReplyDeleteI watched the show just like everyone else, dont get me wrong haha. But what i am getting at here is that people like my mom and my grandparents who are 100% Italian are so offended by the show, that it makes even me feel bad for thinking throwing the word Guido around is apropriate. My mom like other italians feels as though the show mocks her.
ReplyDeleteGuido as my mom and grandparents explained to me, is the N word for Italians. If i ever used that word to describe myself or another Italian person growing up, I would for sure be getting soap in the mouth lol. Its derrogitory. I think that this show has changed our society by taking away the awkwardness of the word, making it seem appropriate to use it to describe an Italian American.
Like I said before, dont get me wrong, I watched the show like everyone else. Its the usage of the word Guido that I am focusing on in this blog.
Gotta admit the show is addicting to watch. Pretty ridiculous at times but thats reality television for you. It did piss me off as I'm 50% Italian the people they chose for the show. I heard when casting the advertisements said they wanted the loudest, most obnoxious Italian-Americans they can find. They deff. stereotyped Italians in a negative way, they should have had half the cast the crazy characters then half the cast nice, normal people, so that both sides were portrayed in the show. I think it was a complete mockery of the Italian culture to be honest.
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