"Tribute’ to Italians at game was insulting"

Updated: August 19, 2011, 6:30 AM

For the past several years, the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York has been pleased to be a sponsor of Italian Night at the Bisons. As one of the most highly attended of all the Bisons’ ethnic nights, we have always found it to be an enjoyable, fun-filled family event in which Italian culture is highlighted. There is food, music and dancing, as well as honoring two prominent Italian-Americans, along with bocce between innings and a tremendous fireworks display.
This year the Bisons added a video tribute to famous Italians, showing pictures on the scoreboard throughout the game. The faces of John Gotti, Al Capone, Tony Soprano and the cast of “Jersey Shore” were shown on the scoreboard meeting with “boos” and disdain from many spectators. Please understand that we find this “tribute” to be distasteful, insulting and completely inexcusable.
Perhaps the Bisons need a history lesson on famous Italians, such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Marconi, Pavarotti; or Italian-Americans like Sinatra, Martin, Di-Maggio, Berra and Rizzuto, just to name a few. If so, we would be happy to provide.
To “honor” the achievements and accomplishments of an ethnicity by doing it such dishonor is intolerable, and the FIASWNY can no longer be a sponsor of this event.

Peter R. LoJacono
President, FIASWNY
Williamsville