Sicilian Culture: The News: Italian Americans: America's "Enemy Aliens" During World War II Call for Personal Stories & Memorabilia

Sicilian Culture

The People, The History, The Culture

The News & Views
Italian Americans: America's "Enemy Aliens" During World War II
Call for Personal Stories & Memorabilia
In November 2000, the President of the United States of America signed into law the Wartime Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act. The act calls for the Department of Justice to prepare a government report detailing the civil liberties that were violated and the injustices suffered by Italian Americans during World War II, and a formal acknowledgement of such injustices by the President.
In this same spirit, the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute of The City University of New York in collaboration with the Italian American Museum is developing a traveling exhibit on the subject of "Italian Americans: America's 'Enemy Aliens' During World War II." Peter F. Vallone, Speaker of the Council of the City of New York, generously initiated a grant to the Calandra Italian American Institute to support the project, and we are now seeking the participation of the Italian American community.
The exhibition will explore the impact of the "Enemy Alien" program upon Italian Americans during World War II. It will highlight the stress under which Italian Americans lived during World War II and the restrictions placed upon them by the United States government, which at the same time relied so heavily upon Italian Americans to serve in the military and support the war effort.
Included in the exhibit will be personal stories and memorabilia relating to Italian Americans on the East Coast who suffered from detention, restrictions of civil liberties, curfews, relocation, internment, as well as the dispossession of property and businesses. The exhibit will be designed to travel to schools, libraries, public buildings and museums, for the benefit of Italian American organizations and the community at large.
The curators would like to take this opportunity to request your assistance in the collection of stories and memorabilia related to the topic. We are seeking personal accounts, photographs, letters, official or government documents, (i.e. "Enemy Alien" cards), correspondence, newspapers articles in Italian or English, and personal materials related to this experience. In essence, any items that will help to bring to life the story of those Italian Americans who were affected by these restrictions.
We fully understand how sensitive the memory of your experience is and how precious your memorabilia are to you. Please know that all items will be carefully transferred, recorded and housed by the Calandra Italian American Institute and the Italian American Museum, safely maintained and returned to you.
We hope you will consider sharing your or your family's story and memorabilia, and would appreciate your forwarding a photograph or photocopy of the item(s) with a short description to us. We are on a tight schedule and need to hear from you before September 14, 2001. When you view the exhibit you will feel a sense of pride in knowing your memorabilia helped to educate students, Italian Americans and all of those who visit.
Thank you for your support with this project. For further information and to mail photographs or memorabilia contact:
Geoffrey Claroni
The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute
25 West 43rd Street, Suite 1800
New York, NY 10036
Email: gclaroni@forbin.qc.edu
Telephone: (212) 642-2038
Fax: (212) 642-2030
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Italian Americans: America's "Enemy Aliens" During World War II
Call for Personal Stories and Memorabilia
Section A.
Name __________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code_____________________________________________________
Telephone _________________________________
Email address _____________________________
Name of Person Affected ______________________________
Date of Birth of Person Affected ______________________________
Birthplace of Person Affected _________________________________
Section B.
Were you or your family affected by the "Enemy Alien" designation during World War II?
____________Yes ____________ No
If so, please fill out the following sections.
Section C.
What is your or your family's personal story?
Were there specific events you can recall?
Where and when did these events happen?
Who was involved?
What was the outcome?
How do you feel about your experience today?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

HOME

Search || News & Views || People || History || Region || Language || Food || Cinema || Links || Contact Info