Learn English – Is “Fredo” an insult to Italian-Americans

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Recently in the news there's been some kerfuffle about a verbal exchange between CNN anchorman, Chris Cuomo, and a person who called him “Fredo”. In the cell-phone video, the man claims

I thought that was who you were

Cuomo responds that his name is Chris and he works for CNN. He then explains why he is offended by the term “Fredo" and why it is insulting for Italian-Americans.

Only punk-ass bitches from the right call me Fredo.
Fredo is from The Godfather. He was a weak brother. And they're using it as an Italian aspersion. […]
[“Fredo“] is like the n-word for us.

During the argument, Cuomo's anger escalates and in the ensuing expletive-ridden tirade, he threatens to use physical violence. The man repeatedly but calmly (probably seeking to bait Cuomo) interjects

I thought that was your name

Many reports clarify that "Fredo" does not carry the same cultural baggage or level of hostility as the n-word. Italians were neither enslaved nor victims of a systematic genocide in the US or in Europe. I am unaware if this term is considered a slur in the UK, I suspect it isn't, it seems to be exclusively American English. Hannah Gold for The Cut writes

…the term “Fredo” has become a cultural short-hand for “incompetent, cowardly, large adult son.”

In fact, online it has been suggested that Chris Cuomo may have an inferiority complex. His elder brother, Andrew Cuomo, has been governor of New York since 2011. And their father, Mario Cuomo, served eleven years as governor of New York.

Unfortunately, the President of the USA decided to stoke things further by tweeting the following

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  I thought Chris was Fredo also.
  The Truth hurts.
  Totally lost it! Low ratings at CNN

In another Tweet, he added

Would Chris Cuomo be given a Red Flag for his recent rant? Filthy language and a total loss of control. He shouldn't be allowed to have any weapon. He's nuts!

  • What did the POTUS mean by saying he thought Chris was Fredo also?

Did he think the CNN news anchor was called Fredo? Was he insinuating that Cuomo was weak and less intelligent than his elder brother? Was the President indirectly insulting Italian Americans? Was he insinuating that the family Cuomo had Mafia connections?

  • When did calling someone “Fredo” become an insult? Is it considered racist in the US?

Best Answer

In my estimation, it all amounts to nothing more than an emotionally-driven burst of anger and frustration. Nothing worth parsing word-for-word.

[“Fredo“] is like the n-word for us.

That's a gross exaggeration. The n-word is used to dehumanize, ridicule and oppress black people. "Fredo" just means the dumb brother.

Cuomo is also being a bit hypocritical having previously, in jest, applied the term to himself.

Chris Cuomo once referred to himself as ‘Fredo’ in radio interview:

HOST: “There is a group of people — politicos — who always hint they might run, but not necessarily plunge all the way, and they are members of la Cuomo.”

CUOMO: “Who am I, then, Fredo?” Cuomo asked in response.

HOST: “Yes, exactly,” Sliwa said. “So you better be careful that your brother Andrew doesn’t kiss you on both cheeks and then all of a sudden they take you out on the middle of the lake and where’s Chris?”

CUOMO: “He kisses me plenty because he’s a great big brother,” Cuomo said.

Who knows what motivated his outburst, but one thing's for sure: "Fredo" can be insulting (having the impact of the words "fool" or "weak"), but it's not nearly as bad as it gets (like using the n-word).

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