Italian American Heritage Month: Celebrating Contributions and Confronting the Past

Monday, October 18

1:00 pm to 3:00pm

Live on Microsoft Teams; link below

Italian immigrants have left a lasting impression on this country, contributing to everything from literature, art, and architecture to politics, industry, and labor. In this online panel discussion, scholars will explore the ways in which Italian Americans have shaped our culture and society. They will examine a variety of issues, including Italian American authors and labor history as well as the recent debates around Christopher Columbus and how the issue has forced Italian Americans to reconsider their perspective on this controversial historical figure and the impact of colonization.

The panel will be moderated by Anthony Julian Tamburri, PhD, dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and distinguished professor of European languages and literature at Queens College.

Panelists for this event are Joseph Sciorra, PhD, director for academic and cultural programs, and Fred Gardaphé, PhD, distinguished professor of English and Italian American studies, both from the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College; and Marcella Bencivenni, PhD, professor of history and coordinator of the Social Sciences Unit at Hostos Community College.

To attend the Reason & Respect event, please click here.