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The
American Italian Historical AssociationSponsors
Essay Competition to Define Italian American Culture Domenic Candeloro - 6/29/02 |
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Dear Friends:
For several decades our nation has been engaged in increasingly critical "culture wars" which have seriously impacted the ethos of Italian-Americans and other groups. As stated in our Millennium brochure, "As the generations pass, preservation of Italian-American culture can only happen through the conscious efforts of groups like AIHA." Many AIHA members have expressed a belief that the enterprise of "preserving Italian-American culture" should undergo a serious examination of just what "Italian-American culture" is and what it is not. Because of this growing sentiment, our organization has decided to launch a $5000 essay contest on the topic: Italian-American Culture: Its Genesis, Shape and Prospects. The prize money is being donated by Salvatore R. DeBlasi, a long time AIHA member. All AIHA members are eligible to submit essays, except those on the judging panel. Please advise non-member acquaintances of yours that they can also qualify to enter the contest by joining AIHA. For this purpose, a membership application is enclosed. Contestants should define Italian-American culture: what it is, what it is not, its relationship to American culture (how it is a part of it, complements it, and/or works against it), how it relates to the many other sub-cultures/minorities in America including ethnic, racial and gender classes. Emphasis should be placed on both how Americans of Italian descent identify themselves and how they are identified by others. The essay must include the roots of IA culture, how it came to be what it is today, and the likely direction it will take in the years ahead. In essence, where and how does the Italian-American culture fit into America? Will it be able to help America defeat terrorism or any other enemy inimical to America's cherished institutions? Will it be able to help America deal with its "culture wars" and continue to be a world leader in espousing democratic and humanitarian principles? Do the values of the organized crime stereotypes represent the essence of Italian-Americans or are they more closely akin to the Antonin Scalias, Lee Iacoccas, and countless unsung heroes of this world? Essayists are encouraged to incorporate in their submissions the work of AIHA and its members where appropriate. The winning essay will become the property of AIHA, and will be published in a special collection. The Executive Council encourages full participation in this contest. As a sign of its commitment, AIHA will award a set of its annual proceedings to the top three essays and one volume of proceedings to each entrant. Essays will be limited to 5000 words and must be postmarked or received by September 3, 2002. We encourage email entries (D-candeloro@govst.edu) and will accept entries in the US mail sent to 169 Country Club Road, Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Entrants must fill out an entry form. All papers must at minimum address all THREE required elements of the topic (the GENESIS, SHAPE & PROSPECTS). Please join in this effort to define Italian American culture. The rewards for your efforts (other than monetary) will be priceless. If you have any questions, please contact the Executive Director. Sincerely, MARIO ASTE
American Italian Historical Association
To enter the competition you must be a PAID UP current of new member of the American Italian Historical Association.. Renewal payments and new-member payments must accompany this form. If you submit your entry electronically, please time your membership materials and payment to reach the Executive Director BEFORE your essay is sent electronically. Electronic submissions should be sent as an email message and as an attachment which can be opened up by a PC. Please send 5 copies of all hardcopy submissions. DEADLINE ---Entries must be postmarked or received by September 1, 2002. Please consult the Essay Contest Announcement Letter for additional guidelines. Name______________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________ Affiliation______________ City ______________________________________ State______Zip___________ Telephone ____________________ Email ______________________ Fax_________________ The panel of Judges, still in formation,
is led by Professor Jerome Krase, Brooklyn College CUNY and it includes
AIHA President, Professor Mario Aste, University of Massachusetts at Lowell;
Professor Angela Danzi, SUNY Farmingdale; and AIHA Executive Director Dominic
Candeloro.
SALVATORE R. DeBLASI is the donor of the prize money for this competition. He is a native of New York City and resided there until 1990, when he moved to Carlsbad, CA. Sal spent better than 45 years working, but in his "spare" time he investigated and researched organized crime and how the media, especially the print media, reported organized crime. He worked as a Management Analyst for the Federal government (35 years) and spent 10 years with the N.Y. State Workers' Compensation Board (statistics, claims). In the early Seventies Sal was, briefly, a reporter for Congressman Santangelo's THE CHALLENGE, but during most of the 70s he was the Editor of the ITALO-AMERICAN TIMES (also writing his column Vinctus Invictus for the IA TIMES). His views about organized crime expressed in these papers ruffled the feathers of some Italian Americans. He is passionate about the gigantic contributions of Italians to Western civilization and to the role Italian Americans are obligated to play in defeating those forces which seek to disparage, distort and defame those monumental contributions. The American Italian Historical Association
Officers
Executive Director
Newsletter Editor
H-ItAm Listserv Editor
Executive Council - Term
Founding President
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