For those who doubt the power of anti-Italian stereotypes in the media, or whether they exist at all in a ‘diversity-friendly’ era, consider that even Italian American women aren’t immune. Case in point: Ms. Melissa Schemmenti, a school-teacher character on the brand-new ABC sitcom, Abbott Elementary.

In clips of the show pre-released to eager fans on the Internet, Ms. Schemmenti is clearly a fish-out-of-water amongst the diverse staff at the school.

Though allegedly educated, she speaks in not-so-subtle uneducated tones. Though her colleagues dress professionally, she is shown in wild leopard-prints. And though it’s clear the staffers are, like most teachers, willing to make personal sacrifices to benefit their students, Ms. Schemmenti “knows a guy” who can bring them things. Indeed, in one clip, she and a shady character are shown in the school’s parking lot, “dropping things off a truck” for her colleagues.

When asked about the legality of this, Ms. Schemmenti and her “friend” hush the other teachers up.  In short, never look stolen gift items in the mouth.

Ironically, when these clips were released, I came across a news item in an Italian newspaper about Elena Cornaro Piscopio. Who? Ms. Piscopio was the first woman in the world – repeat: the world – to receive a Ph.D (from the University of Padua in 1678). The local city council in Padua is debating moving a statue of her from a museum hall to a more pedestrian-friendly piazza, dominated by statues of famous Italian historical figures. The goal is the same as in our own society: to more publicly highlight women achievers. The difference is that the Italians already do so. Americans rely on stereotypes.

It’s not like we don’t have Italian American women here to note. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, current Speaker of the House, is second-in-line to the presidency. The most impressive member of President Biden’s new cabinet is Gina Raimondo, former governor of Rhode Island with degrees from Yale, Harvard, and Oxford.  Cultural critic and author Camille Paglia is admired for her brain power. The list of Italian women achievers, then and now, goes on and on.

So what do we get in an enlightened America in 2022?  Ms. Schemmenti (played by Lisa Ann Walter), clearly one step above a New Jersey mob wife.

Our Institute did a three-part series on the achievements of Italic women in world history called “Lady Power: Italic Women Through the Ages.” Go to our “Research Library” page, click on “Italic Way Magazine,” and scroll down to issue XXXI.  Prepare to be amazed.

And then, compare the amazing women you’ve just read about to Ms. Schemmenti in Abbott Elementary, Mona Lisa Vita in My Cousin Vinny, or even cranky old Sofia on The Golden Girls. The difference between dignità and mockery is as wide as the Grand Canyon.

Anyone who doesn’t see that – well, maybe they had a fictional Ms. Schemmenti as a teacher while growing up. -BDC