Italian-American club urges restaurant name change
The members of the St. Joseph Club of Italian Americans would like to commend Mr. Angelo Campanella for his letter to Neighbor Fencepost on Nov. 17 regarding his objection to the name "Day Go Dogs and 'Za" for the proposed restaurant in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights.
Like Mr. Campanella, we find this name to be offensive, because it blatantly perpetuates the stereotypes associated with our ethnicity.
Based in Arlington Heights, our club is a philanthropic organization that was created several years ago to celebrate our heritage and to assist the community we live in. Over the years, we have donated tens of thousands of dollars to individuals and organizations in our area. We have also partnered with many Arlington Heights businesses since our inception, including Sylvia's Flowers, Armand's, Tuscan Market, Peggy Kinnane's and Mariano's, just to name a few.
If this restaurant opens with this provocative and insulting name, the members of our club and our families will not support this business, because the name undermines what our club stands for and the image we have worked hard to portray in our community.
The first time our club met, we discussed how the continued stereotyping of Italian Americans is harmful, especially to our children. We urge Mr. Vaia to consider a name and format for his restaurant that will celebrate the rich heritage of Italian-Americans, not one that is divisive and inflammatory.
Paul F. Petricca and members of the St. Joseph Club of Italian-Americans
Arlington Heights