An Italian Scholar Sets the Record Straight on Columbus

As someone with family ties to Italian roots, I’ve long been familiar with the often contentious pride that centers around Columbus Day. While some Italian Americans see this time as a much-deserved recognition for our contributions to this country, others see it as upholding a violent colonial narrative, in addition to being an inaccurate representation of the Italian contribution to our society.

We spoke about this topic at great length during my interview with Steve Cerulli, a PhD student at Fordham University whose work focuses on the Italian diaspora to the United States. His research dives into themes like assimilation, settler colonialism, and Italy’s role in supporting colonialism abroad. In addition to his doctoral work, Steve is a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and teaches at Haas’s Community College of the City University of New York.

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, we decided to create a mini episode focused on this specific topic that arose during our conversation, to give people a chance to hear more information about why, for many Italian Americans like me, Columbus does not feel like the essential representation of our people or our culture.

Also, I’d like to announce an initiative taking place in New Jersey that more accurately celebrates the radical traditions of our culture in hopes of establishing inclusive community for all. Welcoming the Ancestors: Tomato Pie, Percussion, and Petitions—a Mama Leeds Collective event—is and an intimate gathering of food, music, and ancestral connection hosted by Bury Me in New Jersey.

Learn more and grab your spot ➜

About Steve Cerulli

Steve Cerulli is working on a PhD at Fordham University in the Modern History track. He is a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College/CUNY. He sits on the board of the American Italian Cultural Roundtable, Italian Enclaves Historical Society, Casa Lago Press, and the Giovanni Schiavo Series. He is interested in the development of historic and international Italian identities, transatlantic fascism and anti-fascism, and anarchist and socialist thought and movements within the Italian diaspora.

Follow Steve on Instagram ➜

Learn more about this episode’s (song) title and listen to Stornelli D’esilio ➜

Credits + Gratitude

Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of our sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu.

Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm—you’re getting an exclusive first listen here, and their debut EP is coming soon!

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our Kickstarter backers who made this season possible: Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., Kim H., Erin and Bill H., Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J., Kerrie, and Colleen C. We are endlessly grateful for your support.

If you’d like to keep up to date with the other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content.

Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at www.burymeinnj.com/subscribe