WTI Magazine #55    2015 March, 6
Author : Lucio Luca      Translation by: John Cabot University

Have you ever googled the words "Sicily" and "America"? Hundreds of thousands of results appear but what is immediately evident is that the overwhelming majority refers to Cosa Nostra bosses in the U.S., Italian-American Mafia, the murder of Joe Petrosino, the ties between the powerful Sicilian "families" and those across the Atlantic. Of course, this is sadly what we are famous for in the world, above all else.

There is another Sicily that realized its American Dream with fatigue, courage, sweat and talent. The Sicily of those who emigrated to carve out their own space in the arts, medicine, gastronomy, fashion and sports; and of those that considered remaining on the island solely to complain and blame the negligent government as being a waste of time.

They left in great numbers, in the hope of ensuring a better future for their children. Or to finally prove themselves worthy. They could have been content with their new conditions but having left their island, their friends, and their habits they felt they had to do more than just scrape a living in the land of opportunity. This is the U.S.: it opens its doors to you and gifts you great possibilities if you are able to seize them. Otherwise, it punishes you mercilessly if you do not have courage.

I wrote my book on Sicilians in the U.S. who found success– "Dall'altra parte della luna" (On the other side of the Moon), Pietro Vittorietti Edizioni. The book recounts the other Sicily, the one that makes us proud by going to "the other side of the Moon" and gaining respect through hard work, sweat, sacrifice and genius. During my travels in the U.S., I met somewhat famous Sicilians who, out of their own generosity, spent with me amusing days and told me incredible stories.

I am reminded of Santi Visalli, the photographer of six U.S. presidents, who taught Sicilian dialect to Bob De Niro before filming "The Godfather"; Fausto Puglisi, the fashion stylist of Lady Gaga and Beyoncè; Giuseppina Torre the pianist little known in Italy who in California has already won four Grammy Awards; and Francesco Realmuto, the Big Apple's best gelato maker who until a few years ago was a diamond cutter. Not to mention the engineer Filippo Pagano, an 86 year old man full of life, who taught the one and only Neil Armstrong how to fly; and Tiziana Ciacciofera, Fabio Triolo, director of the Italian Cultural Center in Houston and one of the most important stem cell researchers respectively. And more over, "Mamma Giovanna" who, despite her battles with sclerosis, became famous in Florida for her cookies; Arturo Di Modica, architect of the renowned Wall Street Bull; Emanuele Viscuso, the artist behind the mega sculpture that welcomes travellers at Malpensa International Airport; Anna Maria La Bianca who sells her foulards to Michelle Obama; Andrea Mantineo who directs an Italian-American newspaper; and Sal Palmieri who for fifty years has been the radio host of "Buongiorno Italia", a program that connects those who left Italy with their homeland. And many others.

I met them, I spoke with them, I saw where and how they live and work. They explained that being Italian was once something to be ashamed of. Fortunately, things have changed: both the mayor of New York City and the governor of New York State are Italian. Over the last century, the children, the grandchildren and the great grandchildren of poor immigrants who debarked at Ellis Island are now managers of multinational corporations, presidents of cultural centers, owners of restaurant chains, newspaper directors, fashion designers, successful doctors and internationally famous artist.

Little Italy, devoured by Chinese immigrants, does not exist anymore, but an Italian generation persists. Sicilians in particular have asserted themselves and no longer have any reason to hide. This is a story that was worth telling. I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to present my book in the U.S. in the coming days. On March 20th at 7:00 pm, we will be at the Grand Hyatt Hotel (109 E 42nd St, New York City) as guests of the Associazione "I Diplomatici" that in the same days will host "Change the world" in collaboration with the UN. The following day at 8:30 pm, we will be in Queens at the St Luke Church Auditorium (16-34 Clintonville Street - Whitestone NY 11357) with some of the protagonists of the book such as Sal Palmeri and the jazz singer Laura Campisi.

The week after in Texas, we will speak about Sicilians and their talents with Tiziana Ciacciofera and Fabio Triolo, first at Texas State University San Marcos (March 26th at 3:00 pm), then at the Italian Cultural Center in Houston (March 27th at 6:00 pm), and finally at the University of Austin (March 30th at 5:30 pm). What to say, I look forward to seeing you there. It will be a pleasure to meet you, get to know you and leaf through my book.