The month of October is recognized as National Italian Heritage Month. In 1989, Congress recognized and President George H.W. Bush signed through Proclamation 6045 that the month of October would be recognized as the month to observe the Italian American heritage and culture.
The month of October was chosen at the time to overlap with Columbus Day which recognizes Christopher Columbus. Columbus is recognized as Italian because he was born in Genoa, Italy.
As the American Italian Cultural Center and Museum shared, “To the Italian community, Christopher Columbus is celebrated, not for his actions, but for what he represents. Italians faced discrimination when they arrived in the United States and Columbus Day allowed them to publicly acknowledge and celebrate their heritage”
It is important to recognize that Columbus Day (Oct. 10) has created the opportunity for continued dialogue and historical acknowledgement of our country’s history around treatment of indigenous people. On Oct. 10, the nation also celebrates Indigenous People’s Day. As America continues to repair relationships with indigenous people, it’s still possible to continue to publicly acknowledge and celebrate the heritage of Italian Americans.
The Institute asked SUNY Oswego staff member Grace Maxon-Clarke, senior academic planning coordinator of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), “What does Italian Heritage month mean to you” and she answered:
What Italian heritage month means to me is recognition of my family's roots. I attribute my faith, hard work ethic, strong family values and love for pasta and cannoli to my Italian upbringing. My grandfather's parents immigrated to the United States in 1907. My grandfather instilled in us the ingenuity and thirst for knowledge his parents had. The family homestead was a refuge that welcomed anyone that needed a place to stay even if it meant they would be eating modest meals of Cicoria (wilted dandelions) to get by. Our Italian heritage has instilled in us to appreciate what we learn from experiences in our life and to always enjoy the music along the way…“C'è La Luna Mezz'o Mare”…
Did you know?
SUNY Oswego’s Flags of Nations represent the international and indigenous connections of the SUNY Oswego community. Each flag displayed represents an enrolled SUNY Oswego student. The college displays these flags to acknowledge, celebrate and honor the history, places and experiences of the diverse campus community.
The Italian flag is one of the flags represented in the Marano Campus Center. To learn more information about Italy or other flags check out the Penfield Library Flags of Nations resource guide.
Note: October also is recognized as LGBTQ+ History Month (see this announcement that appeared Thursday in Oswego Today).
-- Submitted by the James A. Triandiflou Institute for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Transformative Practice