FAIRFIELD, N.J., Dec. 17, 2009 — UNICO National's First Lady, Jenny DiMino, a UNICO member and wife of UNICO President Andre' DiMino, today wrote an open letter to Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi of "Jersey Shore" admonishing her for vulgar behavior and profane public remarks made against UNICO on TMZ, a celebrity television show.
Polizzi, in a recent TMZ video, with fellow "Jersey Shore" cast members, was asked about UNICO by TMZ reporters, to which she replied "[expletive] UNICO!" http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/12/jersey-shore-snooki-situation-hollywood-video/
"Your behavior, as exhibited in your vulgar 'acting' during Jersey Shore is one thing, but, your drunk and profane exploits on this video have plunged you to even lower depths," Jenny DiMino wrote in her letter to Polizzi.
"… you stated on 'Jersey Shore's' debut (paraphrasing) that you want to find a tanned, juiced Guido and settle down? Don't you realize your self-deprecating and vulgar antics means that 'settling down' is probably not in your future? How can anyone respect you if you are so disrespectful to yourself, your gender and your Italian heritage?" DiMino writes.
Jenny DiMino notes that UNICO has an "incredible" 87-year history of supporting charities, providing scholarships and performing good works.
"It was actually formed in 1922 to defend Italian Americans against discrimination and defamation … UNICO's stance, against defamatory labels and reprehensible behavior that exposes negative stereotypes of Italian Americans in 'Jersey Shore' and by MTV, is a necessity. Your behavior, not only on the 'show' but in how you carry yourself in public, is exactly why there is need for an organization like UNICO," DiMino writes.
In concluding her letter, DiMino appeals to Polizzi: "Instead of the four-letter epithet you used against UNICO, you should sober up and try to improve your language, your behavior and consider that you are not a role model for anyone to aspire to."
UNICO asked MTV to cancel "Jersey Shore," which features ethnic slurs, violence and poor behavior to stereotype Italian Americans. In response to a multitude of complaints and a worldwide media firestorm, spurred by UNICO's criticism, MTV removed the pejorative terms "Guido" and "Guidette" from its promos and website after Andre' DiMino spoke with MTV executives prior to the debut.
However, there was never any apology, and MTV refused to cancel the series as DiMino originally requested of MTV CEO McGrath, ironically an EMMY winner for "taking a stand against discrimination." Many UNICO members have called on McGrath to return her EMMY as she is promoting a series that openly and continuously slurs and stereotypes Italian Americans.
Founded in 1922, UNICO, the nation's largest Italian American service organization, has chapters throughout the US. Its volunteer members support charitable, educational, and community service projects while promoting Italian heritage and combating negative stereotyping. For information on UNICO, call 973-808-0035 – http://www.unico.org.
Contact:
Sebastian D'Elia
UNICO Communications Director
973-808-0035
Cell 908-770-3662
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