{"id":223186,"date":"2024-02-14T18:53:35","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T23:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=223186"},"modified":"2024-02-21T17:49:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T22:49:16","slug":"a-giant-gesture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2024\/02\/14\/a-giant-gesture\/","title":{"rendered":"A Giant Gesture"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/b>When Mark Rotella saw rookie New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito make an old-school Italian hand gesture in celebration of throwing one of his first touchdowns, he was a little dismayed and concerned that it would conjure up images of cultural stereotypes. After learning of DeVito\u2019s explanation that it was an homage to \u201cold Italians,\u201d the director of\u00a0 <\/span>Coccia Institute for the Italian American Experience<\/span><\/a> at ÌÇÐÄvlog decided to talk with his team.<\/span><\/p>\n

What resulted was a robust discussion about the mixed emotions and<\/span> Rotella<\/span><\/a>, also a professor of creative writing, pitching an opinion piece to <\/span>The New York Times<\/span><\/i>. \u201cThey thought it had enough legs, and even after Tommy DeVito was benched for the next few games, they decided to go with it,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rotella wrote about his initial ambivalence-turned-pride about Italian-American culture in \u201cThe Hand Gesture Heard Round the World\u201d in <\/span>The New York Times<\/span><\/i> on January 6. Ultimately, Rotella liked that DeVito had given an old-school gesture a modern twist and made it his own, coming to the conclusion that the gesture is \u201cproof that my culture is as robust and relevant as it\u2019s ever been.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

After publication, the professor\u2019s inbox and phone were flooded with emails and texts. \u201cI couldn’t believe how much it had resonated with Italian-Americans and even non-Italian Americans,\u201d Rotella says. \u201cThis is something that even within the Italian-American community or any immigrant communities, you’re going to have different people feeling different ways about their culture. So, I’m glad to have this open conversation about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While the majority of the feedback was positive, there were a few people who felt his piece perpetuated Italian stereotypes.<\/span><\/p>\n

He took it all in stride. \u201cAn opinion piece is an opinion piece,\u201d Rotella says, \u201cIt’s meant to spark conversation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The piece not only sparked conversation but it scored Rotella multiple media touchdowns, including features and appearances on <\/span>NY 1 <\/span><\/i>and NPR’s<\/span> Here and Now<\/span><\/i>, ultimately coming full circle with a video on the <\/span>Times<\/span><\/i> Opinion<\/span><\/i> TikTok account.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

The NPR segment resulted in a much deeper conversation \u201cabout the history of anti-Italian sentiment in the United States,\u201d Rotella says.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While Rotella is no stranger to being published \u2014 he\u2019s authored several books, written dozens of newspaper articles and served as senior editor of <\/span>Publisher\u2019s Weekly<\/span><\/i> for almost two decades \u2014 he\u2019s glad an article about a fellow Italian-American\u2019s hand gesture struck a chord and garnered media attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPart of my mission is to bring the Coccia Institute into a larger, general conversation,\u201d he says, \u201cAlso, I’m always thrilled when Montclair is entered into the conversation.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, DeVito and his hand gesture even made it to the Super Bowl \u2014 in a pizza ad, of course.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Montclair
Montclair students and faculty show their Italian pride at Prudential Center on Italian Heritage Night with the New Jersey Devils.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rotella’s Italian pride is often on display, as evidenced on Italian Heritage Night with the New Jersey Devils, when he took 40 students and faculty to Prudential Center in his role for the Coccia Institute. The Institute was recognized on the Jumbotron.<\/p>\n

Next up for Rotella is his annual <\/span>Red Sauce<\/span><\/i>, a docuseries on food which he produces in collaboration with faculty and film students in the School of Communication and Media. The next episode will air March 4 at Presentation Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Story by Staff Writer<\/span> Sylvia A. Martinez<\/b><\/a>. Photo by University Photographer<\/span> Mike Peters<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n