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The Commission for Social Justice®
The Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ) is the anti-defamation arm of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America® (OSDIA). It was established to fight the stereotyping of Italian Americans by the entertainment, advertising and news industries. It also collaborates with other groups to ensure that people of all races, religions and cultures are treated fairly. A precursor to the CSJ was established as early as 1970, evolving into the CSJ, as it exists in its current form, in 1981.
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The CSJ monitors the entertainment, advertising and news industries, contacts offending parties and encourages other Italian-American organizations, e-mail networks and concerned individuals to take action.
The CSJ’s Positive Image Program was established to counter the negative depictions that are pervasive in media, advertising and pop culture by promoting positive Italian American achievements and contributions to our history and culture. As part of its Positive Image Program, the CSJ conducts research, produces studies, teaching tools, pamphlets, exhibits and other materials on the achievements and contributions of Italian Americans.
Some reports and studies that the CSJ has conducted or commissioned and are available to the public include: • Italian Americans in Law Enforcement • Columbus: Fact vs. Fiction • With Justice for All: Italian Americans & Civil Rights • Honoring Diversity: A Selection of Commemorative U.S. Postage Stamps • Italian American Stereotypes in U.S. Advertising • Public Image of Italian Americans: A Survey
The CSJ conducts campaigns at both the community and the national level that support cultural and social issues of importance to Italian Americans (legislation, commemorative stamps, Columbus Day/Heritage Month, etc.).
To achieve its objectives, the CSJ engages in community and government relations as well as in grassroots campaigns and fund-raising efforts. However, given its non-profit status, the CSJ cannot offer legal advice or assistance in lawsuits.
CSJ Sustaining Patrons Circle Honor Roll As of August 1, 2019 The CSJ extends its gratitude to these members of the Sustaining Patrons Circle: Maria Fassio Pignati
1970 OSIA establishes its national Anti-Defamation Committee under Judge P. Vincent Landi, president of the Grand Lodge of New York. 1971 The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania establishes a Commission on Anti-Defamation under its state president, Justice Frank J. Montemuro, Jr. 1978 OSIA renames its national Anti-Defamation Committee “the Institute for Liberty and Justice.” Justice Frank J. Montemuro, Jr. becomes its first chairman. 1980 The Grand Lodge of New York’s Institute for Liberty and Justice is renamed the Commission for Social Justice. 1981 OSIA renames its national Institute for Liberty and Justice to the Commission for Social Justice® (CSJ). Justice Frank J. Montemuro, Jr. becomes first CSJ national president. CSJ receives tax-exempt status. 1983 CSJ National co-sponsors national media conference with the National Italian American Foundation in New York City on Italian Americans and the Media. 1984 The CSJ hosts reception in Washington, D.C., for Italian- American members of Congress. 1999 Under CSJ National President John Dabbene, the CSJ launches its Positive Image Campaign to research and publish information about Italian-American history, achievements and contributions. 2004 OSIA/CSJ cofound the Coalition Against Racial, Religious and Ethnic Stereotyping (CARRES), an alliance of more than 30 Italian-American organizations, that marks the first time so many Italian American organizations united to fight stereotyping. 2009 The CSJ successfully campaigns to remove three offensive national ad campaigns by Verizon, Denny’s, and Miller/Coors Beer. 2010 CSJ officials meet with MTV producers to discuss negative stereotypes in the television show “Jersey Shore.” Thanks to the efforts of National CSJ President Santina Haemmerle, President Emeritus John Dabbene and NY CSJ President Stella Grillo MTV executives agree to remove Italian imagery from the house. 2011 On Sept. 20, CSJ National urged New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to veto a $420,000 proposed tax credit to the company that produces “Jersey Shore.” Governor Christie responds and vetoes the tax credit. 2013 In February the Grand Lodge of California and CSJ National successfully lobby California Assemblyman Roger Hernandez to amend his proposed bill that would replace Columbus Day with Native American Day. 2016 Launched the “Save Columbus Day” Petition Campaign in September with the goal of getting 100,000 signatures by April 30, 2017. Opposed renaming of Columbus Day in citites (Baltimore, Los Angeles, Seattle, Spokane), states (Colorado, Montana), and universities (Brown University, University of Utah), and National Education Association. 2017 Rallied against National Geographic, NBC, and other organizations for defamation against Italians and Italian-Americans. Opposed renaming of Columbus Day in Nebraska and Los Angeles. 2018 Successfully opposed the renaming of Columbus Day in California and Colorado. 2019 Successfully lobbied the Mayor of New Orleans to issue an official proclamation, apologizing on behalf of the city for the 1891 New Orleans lynching of 11 Italians - the largest lynching in U.S. History.
CSJ and OSDIA leaders with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who issued a public apology on April 12, 2019, for the 1891 lynching of 11 Italian immigrants.
