Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,As we turn the page to a new chapter in the life of Italian Americana, it is with deep gratitude and respect that we bid farewell to our esteemed editor-in-chief, Dr. Carla Simonini, who has decided to step down after eight remarkable years of service. From 2016 to 2024, Dr. Simonini led the journal with unwavering dedication, following in the footsteps of her predecessor, Carol Bonomo Albright, who had an illustrious tenure from 1989 to 2015. Under Dr. Simonini's guidance, Italian Americana has continued to thrive as a premier publication in the field of Italian American studies, expanding our scholarly reach while honoring the rich legacy that Bonomo Albright established over her 26 years at the helm.Dr. Simonini's contributions to the journal have been profound. Her insightful leadership, scholarship, and commitment to fostering a vibrant community of Italian American scholars and writers have left an indelible mark on the journal and its readership. On behalf of the editorial team and our entire community, I want to thank her for her vision, passion, and tireless work.As I take on this new role, I am honored and anxious about the future of Italian Americana. I aim to continue the journal's tradition of excellence while exploring new avenues to expand our reach and influence within the academic community and beyond. I look forward to engaging with our readers, contributors, and the wider community to ensure that Italian Americana remains a leading voice in the field. I am keen to build on my predecessors’ strong foundation and explore new avenues for growth and engagement within the Italian American community.In this moment of transition, I also want to acknowledge the steadfast contributions of our associate editor and book review editor, Dr. John Paul Russo, who has been with Italian Americana since 1989. Russo's extensive knowledge and scholarly expertise have been integral to the journal's success over the decades. Additionally, our poetry editor, Maria Terrone, who has served with distinction since 2016, and Christine Palamidessi Moore, our multitalented fiction editor since 2000, continue to bring their creative talents and keen editorial skills to our pages, enriching the journal with their commitment to literary excellence.I acknowledge that the recent double issue of Italian Americana was shorter than previous issues, which may have been unexpected for our readers. However, I hope my first issue will more than compensate for any perceived shortcomings. The editorial team and I are committed to bringing fresh perspectives and rich content to our esteemed journal, ensuring that future issues uphold the high standards our subscribers have come to expect. We appreciate your continued support and are confident that the upcoming editions will provide a fulfilling and engaging reading experience.As we embark on this new era, we remain committed to our mission of exploring and celebrating the Italian American experience in all its complexity. With the continued dedication of our editorial team, I look forward to many more years of insightful scholarship, powerful storytelling, and meaningful dialogue.As we present this new volume, I hope you enjoy our creative works by Lenore Balliro, Stephen Campiglio, Micheal J. Cariello, Barbara Crooker, David Masello, Jennifer Martelli, Frances Moroney, Carla Panciera, R. A. Pavoldi, Kathryn Petruccelli, Joanna Scandiffio, Maryfrances Wagner, Barbara Worton, and Joseph Zaccardi and Michael Palma's translation of Canto V of Dante's Paradiso. However, I am particularly excited about Mary Jo Salter. Having studied with Mary Jo Salter at the Sewanee Writers Conference, it is a profound honor to feature her as the poet in my first volume as editor-in-chief. Her masterful poetry and insightful perspectives have influenced my work, and I am thrilled to share her exceptional talent with our readers. Salter's contribution to this volume epitomizes the high standard of literary excellence we strive to maintain and celebrate at Italian Americana. Additionally, I am eager to uphold the excellence established by my predecessors and showcase Rosemary Serra's scholarly contribution, “Pater Familias, Papà, Daddy. Changes in Fatherhood and Fathering across Italian American Generations.”Serra acknowledges fatherhood is a complex and evolving concept influenced by various multidimensional factors, with diverse perceptions of paternal roles existing across different historical periods and cultural contexts. She cites studies that have shown a significant shift in the role of fathers, including Italian American fathers, reflecting a greater involvement in childcare and a closer connection with their children while maintaining the traditional breadwinner identity. Serra argues this dynamic is shaped by intergenerational transmission, where current fathers often define themselves in contrast to the previous generation's models. Despite the coexistence of traditional and new fatherhood practices, the influence of fathers in everyday practices has decreased, although their ethical and moral roles remain significant. According to Serra, the family remains a crucial site for the socialization and transmission of values amidst changing societal norms and life transformations.Robert Casillo, Jacqueline Reich, Dana Renga, and John Paul Russo reflect on Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, originating from an Italian American Studies Association webinar inspired by the 50th anniversary of The Godfather (1972). Scholars highlighted the importance of revisiting classic films like Mean Streets (1973) to apply evolving theoretical frameworks, including disability and trauma theory, and uncover new layers of cultural significance. These reflections discuss the thematic elements of Mean Streets, such as the conflict between Catholic morality and the criminal underworld and the film's portrayal of urban spaces, race, and identity. Casillo, Reich, and Renga explore how Scorsese's work examines these complexities within the Italian American experience, comparing it with other iconic films and cultural themes. The reflections also touch on the lack of scholarship from gender and race perspectives, calling for a deeper analysis of these aspects in Scorsese's filmography. Russo connects Mean Streets to Scorsese's broader body of work, emphasizing its role as a foundational piece that explores themes of sin, redemption, and spiritual crisis, which continue to resonate in Scorsese's subsequent films. In the final section of my article, I employ disability studies, an interdisciplinary field that examines societal constructs of disability, to provide a critical lens through which to analyze Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, particularly the character of Teresa Ronchali, who has epilepsy. Teresa's condition is not just a medical issue but is also a social stigma within the Italian American community, reflecting how cultural and social factors shape disability. The inclusion of disability studies and crip theory in Italian American studies offers a fresh perspective on the portrayal of disabled characters, challenging stereotypes and enriching the interpretation of historical texts. This approach promotes a more inclusive and diverse narrative, acknowledging the experiences of individuals with disabilities within the broader context of Italian American culture.Italian Americana is pleased to streamline the submission process for scholarly articles, fiction, and poetry via our online manuscript submission system on Scholastica. This secure and personalized platform allows you to track your manuscript through each stage of the review and acceptance process. For scholarly articles, we employ a rigorous double-blind, peer-review process. Two external scholars with relevant expertise and no involvement with the journal's editorial team evaluate each submission. The journal follows the reviewers’ recommendations unless their decisions are split; in that case, we send the manuscript to a third reviewer for the final decision.We recognize that creative writers might find the Scholastica platform more academic in nature; however, we have made changes to allow for the specification of the type of creative work being submitted. We are excited to welcome former and new contributors to utilize this efficient system. We look forward to your valuable contributions and encourage you to engage with our community on Scholastica.Italian Americana has secured funding from a private donor for 2025, ensuring the continuation of our beloved journal for another year. However, we currently have no funds allocated for 2026 and beyond. To maintain our mission and keep the journal successful, we are reaching out to those who have the capacity to contribute at the highest level of support possible with each renewal. This revenue will provide us with much-needed time to secure institutional funding and explore other sources of income to sustain the journal for another 50 years. Your generous support can make a world of difference in preserving the rich legacy of Italian American culture and scholarship.In addition, we are pleased to offer increased levels of support for Italian Americana, including a print and online subscription for the year. Contributions at various support levels can directly affect the journal's future and provide exclusive benefits. For example, by supporting at the Helen Barolini level of $2,000, you will receive two journal volumes, and your contribution will help generate essential income to ensure its continual publication and high-quality content: Vittoria repetto: $50Gil Fagiani: $100Olga Peragallo: $200Rose Basile Green: $300Joseph Tusiani: $500John Fante: $750Pietro di Donato: $1,000Helen Barolini: $2,000Robert Viscusi: $3,000Lawrence Ferlinghetti: $4,000Ernest S. Falbo and Richard Gambino: $5,000Your support helps us to sustain and grow the journal. We are excited about the future and hope you will join us in this next phase of our journey. Thank you for your continued commitment, dedication, and generosity.Warm regards, Alan J. Gravano Editor-in-chief