This episode features the second part of this series of interviews with National Italian American Foundation President John Viola, and Anthony and Patrick O’Boyle; all three are members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. We have a candid conversation with these passionate and active members of the Italian-American community about what is known as the Neo-Bourbon Movement and vital, shocking parts of Southern Italian history that have been buried.
In our Stories Segment, Anthony talks about his own family research and how he recently found relatives living near by in New Jersey.
Episode Quote
“I have a concept of Naples that is not so much of a city, per se, but rather an ingredient of the human spirit that I detect in everyone, Neapolitan or not. The idea that ‘Neapolitanism’ and mass ignorance are somehow indissolubly linked is one that I am prepared to fight with all the strength I have.” – Luciano De Crescenzo
Tweetables
- “As we learn more about our Italian history a resurgence is brewing.’’ – Dolores Alfieri
- “A huge reason why the dialects were getting crucified was because there was no power in the people.” – Patrick O’Boyle
- “It’s forcing conversations about written standardization of these languages.” – John Viola on how the internet is affecting Italian dialects
- “Our ancestors left southern Italy because what once was a place that could be lived in became unlivable.” –Dolores Alfieri
- “Unification is the real reason we are Americans.” – Dolores Alfieri
- “You forced the best and the brightest to leave the south.” – Patrick O’Boyle on the Italian unification
- “Keep researching your family, because you never really know what you are going to find out.” – Anthony Fasano
- “When the threat of losing our identity, language, history and culture becomes greatest, there’s a surge to preserve and reconnect with all of it so it is not indeed lost.” – Dolores Alfieri
About our Guests…
John M. Viola was elected President of the National Italian American Foundation in March of 2013. With a career in community leadership and development, Viola is the co-founder of ELITE Learning of Brooklyn, a non-profit organization dedicated to the fundamental reform and improvement of inner-city education. The organization’s mission is to integrate educational programs and resources between schools and their local cultural institutions. While at ELITE Learning, Viola created numerous programs to foster the teaching of the Italian language to Italian American youth and others dedicated to service travel.
A graduate of Fordham University with a dual degree in Sociology and Anthropology, Viola has dedicated himself to developing international and domestic service programs inspired by the Jesuit mission to create “men and women for others” and to infuse a sense of social justice into all acts. He is a Knight of the Order of Merit of Savoy and serves as the United States Delegate for the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George, one of the oldest Chivalric Orders in the world. A native of Brooklyn, NY, he traces his ancestry to the Vallo di Diano in the province of Salerno, Puglia and Sicily.
Patrick O’Boyle is the Vice Chancellor of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
Anthony O’Boyle is a Knight of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
Episode Sponsors
The National Italian American Foundation
Resources Mentioned
I think one has to be careful with revisionism. This is very interesting and there’s truth to all this but it can get clouded by a certain type of regionalism and a self-defense against the injustices (real ones) suffered. We’re seeing this all over Europe (see Catalonia). Here’s an interesting book review by David Frum on the subject: https://www.thedailybeast.com/davids-book-club-who-ruined-southern-italy On another topic, it’d be awesome if you guys talk about the huge migration of Italians to other regions in the Americas (Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, etc). Lots in common with Italian-Americans and big differences too. Ciao!