IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
Office: 10001 Stonell Drive
Member of FUSIE (Federazione Italiana Stampa Unitaria all’Estero) Luglio 2024
THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
NUMERO 7
An Italian American Publication
NIAF Statement on the Passing of Actor and Entertainer Tony Lo Bianco
throughout his life, including the United Service Organizations (USO), Building Homes for Heroes, The Wounded Warrior Project, among others. On behalf of the NIAF Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Tony’s beloved wife Alyse, his family, friends and fans around the world. His spirit, generosity and advocacy for our community will be dearly missed. We have lost not only a talented actor, but a proud Italian American who celebrated our culture with every role.” About NIAF NIAF is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes the Italian culture and heritage. Founded in 1975, NIAF has been a leading advocate for Italian Americans, preserving their legacy and promoting their contributions to the United States.
Attribute to: Bob Carlucci, NIAF Chairman
“It is with great sadness that the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) mourns the loss of my dear friend, Tony Lo Bianco. A proud Italian American, Tony was not only an accomplished actor but a fervent advocate for celebrating and promoting our rich culture and heritage. For decades, Tony dedicated himself to the NIAF mission, sharing his passion for all things Italian on stage and screen while also serving as a goodwill ambassador for our community. He frequently lent his talents to our events and initiatives, captivating audiences with his cinematic portrayals of iconic Italian Americans. NIAF recently honored Tony’s lifetime achievements in entertainment at our 2023 New York Gala. Tony was best known for his roles in “The French Connection,” “Jesus of Nazareth,” “Law & Order” and most recently his film with fellow Italian American Ray Romano, “Somewhere in Queens.” His love for his roots ran deep, as evidenced by his creation of the live theatrical production ‘The Little Flower’ about New York City’s first Italian American mayor, Fiorello H. La Guardia. A proud patriot, Tony was also involved in many charitable organizations
Coalition of Oldest and Largest Italian American Organizations Request that AMC Add Disclaimer to ‘Godfather’ Trilogy and Similar Films Depicting Offensive Stereotypes
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND ACTIVITY SINCE 1904
12 PAGES
On May 31, the Italian American Leadership Forum (IALF), led by the oldest and largest Italian American organizations in the U.S. and representing more than 18 million Americans of Italian heritage, took proactive steps to mitigate harmful stereotypes of the Italian American community. The IALF’s five founding organizations sent a letter to AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan on Friday, May 31, requesting the entertainment company include the following disclaimer before airing any of “The Godfather” films, or similar films depicting racial or cultural stereotypes: “The stereotypes and cultural clichés depicted in this work of fiction may be viewed as offensive and should not be considered an accurate reflection of any particular race or ethnicity. Viewer discretion is advised.” In the letter, the IALF expressed appreciation for AMC’s willingness to provide disclaimers ahead of films such as “Goodfellas,” but suggested an alternative text, which more accurately addresses the potential impact of cultural stereotypes featured in similar films. The IALF, while appreciating the artistic value of the Godfather films, requested the disclaimer to remind viewers that the fictional plot represents a very small segment of the Italian American population. The IALF stressed, however, that the disclaimer can be applied widely to Continued on page 5