In so many words Berlusconi often likes to tell Italians that they should be pleased with what they’ve got.
The trouble is he is missing the point, what Italians want and need more than anything else is dignity.
If Berlusconi, or any other Italian politician for that matter, manages to achieve this goal, then he or she, will be welcomed as the country’s president. But it will take much more than the Italian national football team winning the World Cup from time to time to reach this objective.
Italians have a wonderful country and they should feel proud of it, and not feel embarrassed to be Italian – as often seems to be the case at the moment, usually as a result of the same person who likes to tell them they’ve never had it so good making ill considered off the cuff comments.
Berlusconi – give Italians dignity and you will go down in history as being one of Italy’s greatest leaders of all time.
Stands down from soap box.
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I wish to say that I’m italian and no way embarassed about being so. I also don’t know anyone among my social circle who feel like this at all.
As far as dignity is concerns I have always felt that we had plenty. Your post is very patronising and made me shake my head.
Hello,
Just a note to let you know that I’m not ashamed, nor have ever been ashamed of being Italian, and I have never met anyone else (both in the USA and in Italy) who is ashamed of being Italian.
I don’t understand the basis for your opinion. I’m sorry that you feel this way about Italians’ self-perception and self-image.
I just found your blog and found it to be interesting and informative with many Italian resources.
Hi Loretta,
I’m glad to hear that you do not feel embarrassed to be Italian, but recent events here, such as when certain people make very public and often inappropriate comments, have given me the impression that some Italians would like the hide under stones. There are other reasons why I think Italians lack dignity – and all the corruption going on here has been denting Italian dignity. I believe Italians outside of Italy feel proud to be Italian, whereas many here often do not. It’s the younger Italians I feel sorry for, and I see a lot of them, and so many want to leave Italy because they cannot be accepted for what they are, only who they know. If you have a moment, please see this older post of mine, which might help you understand my point of view: http://italychronicles.com/too-young-too-good/ I could give you more examples.
Thanks for commenting,
Alex
Hi Bella,
Actually, I wrote that Italians are feeling embarrassed to be Italian at the moment, not ashamed. Ashamed and embarrassed have different meanings. And I’m afraid to say that I’ve met more than a few Italians who have been feeling embarrassed of late. Italian dignity is being dented.
I shall be showing this post to a good few Italians, and will be interested to hear their reactions too, although one today agreed with my observation.
Anyway, I’m glad that you’ve otherwise found my blog to be interesting and informative, and now you can add ‘provocative’ to the list.
Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.
Best regards,
Alex