How can we, regardless of background or affiliation promote our Italian heritage? In my opinion the Italian American community, their families and friends need mutual aid. We need to share what we can give: talents, resources and money. Mutual aid. On one side of mutual aid are the potential givers that can make things happen, literally. They provide.

Italian American organizations, private sponsors and non-profits of any participant base need to get involved at the local, grass roots group levels. Aid is needed for individuals and groups striving to share, protect and promote Italian heritage and culture in America.

Too often groups emerge to advocate for a cause like saving a Church or promoting art, music, literature, theatre or films of tremendous cultural value. Or talented, well intention individuals have great visions and proposals. They do not get the financial support, public organizational encouragement or the resources, and struggle.

The Save Our Lady of Loreto of Brooklyn, New York group tried valiantly to save that magnificent cultural landmark..to no avail. They were and are a diverse collaboration of people le.

But who actually help them. Not many. Where were the major organizations with financial or in-kind aid? The Church is rubble now but may there be an infinite number of phoenixes arising from the ruins to give all of us rich cultural experiences of our heritage and our contemporary society.

Who will arise? They are out there to aid in enhancing our collective image. There are many ready to act, to implement projects to share to overwhelm the negative stereotypes and to please, entertain and inform. They are out there to serve society. But they need aid.

I have come across so many Americans of Italian ancestry including artists, authors, actors, entrepreneurs, innovators etc. who have Italo related projects to bring to light but cannot realize their visions.

Mutual aid means sharing.

A great example of sharing was the 2017 Columbus Day Parade which included the Grand Marshall, Leonard Riggio, CEO of Barnes and Noble leading the parade and a contingent of one hundred Italian American Authors. The pride, the recognition the feelings were mutual!

And New York Italians has done a lot to create a mutual interest network and to put forward great events and people to share wonderful aspects of Italian-American and Italian culture, heritage and charitable causes.

There’s much more to be done. To paraphrase an oft heard expression: “All culture, all heritage, all preservation of traditions is local.”

The early Italian immigrants in America in order to survive formed mutual aid societies. They created their own theatres, banks, news outlets etc. They wanted to advance in American society but they also desired to share their culture with everyone.

I encourage those well funded and resourceful organizations to help in giving money and resources as appropriate and worthy directly to people with projects or activities that promote Italian heritage. Go find the people and causes that you think matter.

For those with dreams to share about your culture keep going and keep striving. Find and ask for help.

So, for those in a position to help, please reach out, find the strivers, go to their aid. May the outcome be mutual aid that brings mutual pride in our Italian and American heritage and culture.