In a better world, Dean Martin would celebrate Italian Day with Shirley Maclaine and Elvis and there would be Chianti and cake for all.I am surprised The Italians of America have no St Paddy’s Day or Cinco De Mayo, or even Puerto Rican Day parade where they, and we, and Corporate sponsors can celebrate Italian Culture and obscure rationales for Independence Day on a convenient day to get sauced like a BOSS.
Maybe it’s for the best. Even with google handy nobody knows what Cinco de Mayo is about except Budweiser. St Patrick’s Day is a money grab and a chance for anyone who can’t much tan to pretend to be angry at The English and even in this day and age, ask for a wet open mouth kiss.
Italiano Day would be a mess of offensive tropes and insinuations of criminality at the expense of the olive among us that pass for White. And Italian history is far too epic and complicated for Basic Americans.
In the early 20th Century and late 19th the roots both Fascism and Anti-Fascism and Anarchy was part of the Italian spirit. Those headlines and stereotypes are maybe best left forgotten for a people as simple as mine, this mixed bag of humans reaching to the sky to be basic as a Frappachino, we the people of The United States. We The P, who have too many Holidays and not enough vacation. Too much school and not enough education.
In a way the Italians are wholly absorbed into our mythos like Blues songs about Gypsies and Mafiosos that have not rigged a car bomb since the late 70s.
But an Italian Day would be dope. I want to play Italian Day.
– Musician and writer Davin Michael Stedman has many ventures, such as the AMAZING blog, 100milesofmusic.com. Davin’s recent song has become a global earworm and Caribbean dancehall hit. Listen here on Reggaeville: DAVIN MICHAEL STEDMAN & ANTHONY RED ROSE – FREE YOUR MIND FEAT. SLY & ROBBIE WITH LENKY MARSDEN. The video is now available on Youtube: Tuff Gong Television. His single with British band Sherlock Soul is available here.
