ID: 4751  Discussione: Italiani grandi all'estero

Autore: Angelo Guarino  - Email: AngeloJG@aol.com  - Scritto o aggiornato: sabato 21 ottobre 2006 Ore: 10:42

Cara Serena,
il seguente e' un articolo publicato su "wave"= onda , un giornale locale.
L'articolo e' interessantissimo e raro, in quandoche' e differente. Differente da tuttu gli streotipi che sono riservati all' italiani (e quanti) L' aricolo e' stato publicato in ricorrenza del "Columbus' Day" ed e' stato scritto da una "non italiana" Beverly Baxter, in inglese.
Vorrei publicarlo "as it is" in inglese, per non perderne il significato. Sono sicuro che vi sara' molto facile dare un riassunto in italiano da Te che sei maestra di inglese, francese e giapponese. In una separata trasmissione rispondero' all' articolo.
Salute e saluti all' intera redazione di Torreomnia, te uno speciale.
Da Rockaway, vogliamoci bene, Angelo

On The Beach
For My Friend, George, On Columbus Day Commentary By Beverly Baxter

As I was making my reservations to see the mellifluous Andrea Bocelli in concert, I began to think of all the contributions Italian Americans have made by way of their music, their art, architecture, literature, cuisine, wine, theatre and design. I came across this piece, an ode to all Italian Americans, which I'd like to share with you. "I am an Italian-American. My roots are deep in ancient soil, drenched by the Mediterranean sun, and watered by pure streams from snow-capped mountains. I am enriched by thousands of years of culture. My hands are those of the mason, the artist, the man of the soil. My thoughts have been recorded in the annals of Rome, the poetry of Virgil, the creations of Dante, and the philosophy of Benedetto Croce.
I am an Italian-American, and from my ancient world, I first spanned the seas to the New World. I am Cristoforo Columbo. I am Giovanni Caboto known in American history as John Cabot, discoverer of the mainland of North America. I am Amerigo Vespucci, who gave my name to the New World, America.
First to sail on the Great Lakes in 1679, founder of the territory that became the State of Illinois, colonizer of Louisiana and Arkansas, I am Enrico Tonti. I am Filippo Mazzei, friend of Thomas Jefferson, and my thesis on the equality of man was written into the Bill of Rights. I am William Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence. I am an Italian-American. I financed the Northwest Expedition of George Rogers Clark and accompanied him through the lands that would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. I am Colonel Francesco Vigo. I mapped the pacific from Mexico to Alaska and to the Philippines. I am Alessandro Malaspina.
I am Giacomo Beltrami, discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River in 1823. I created the Dome of the United States Capitol. I am Constantino Brumidi. In 1904, I founded in San Francisco, the Bank of Italy now known as the Bank of America, the largest financial institution in the world. I am A.P. Giannini.
I am Enrico Fermi, father of nuclear science in America. First enlisted man to win the Medal of Honor in WWll, I am John Basilone of New Jersey. I am the million strong who served in America's armies and the tens of thousands whose names are enshrined in military cemeteries from Guadalcanal to the Rhine. I am the steel maker in Pittsburgh, the grower in the Imperial Valley of California, the textile designer in Manhattan, the movie-maker in Hollywood, the homemaker and the breadwinner in 10,000 communities.
I am an American without stint or reservation, loving this land as only one who understands history, its agonies and its triumphs can love it and serve it. I will not be told that my contributions are any less nor my role not as worthy as that of any other American.
I will stand in support of this nation's freedom and promise against all foes. My heritage has dedicated me to this nation. I am proud of my heritage and shall remain worthy of it.
I am an Italian-American."
Happy Christopher Columbus Day!

Angelo Guarino