Late judge’s vision of multicultural inclusion has powerful message today in Delaware County

National Italian-American Heritage month was established by the United States Congress in October 1989 to recognize Italian-Americans’ contributions to American society and highlight the impact of the Italian-American community on American culture.

And while “inclusion” is a popular buzzword in today’s politically correct climate, the concept is nothing new to Italian Americans, many of whom have been practicing inclusion for years.

PHOTO BY BARBARA ANN ZIPPI

Many present-day leaders hold back on the visibility of their Italian heritage, but I want to share one organization’s commitment to honoring all native and immigrant ancestors: The black granite monument that has greeted visitors in the courtyard of the Courthouse and Government Center Complex in Media, Pa., since the early 1990s.

Many are unaware of how it came about. It was spearheaded by the former Columbus Quincentennial Foundation and the late Judge Anthony Semeraro of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

The foundation’s pledge was to serve national, religious, cultural, educational, family and charitable needs of all persons while raising awareness of our multicultural heritage. My duty was to create a public relations and marketing program to promote the vision of the plaza renovation for a group of prominent business and community leaders of all nationalities assembled by
the judge.

Judge Semeraro had the wisdom to insist on black African granite for the monument, with an etching of a Native American woman looking at the fountain, along with a time capsule to be opened by a future generation. The site of the monument was renamed the Native and Immigrants Plaza at the Delco Government Courtyard. It is a living tribute to our ancestors, a place set aside to honor our family roots.

The monument displays the names of many different immigrants and their date of arrival in America or birth year. The flowerbed plaques are engraved with names of business and professional patrons who helped Delaware County to flourish. This huge undertaking didn’t cost the tax payers a dime. They were proud to commemorate those ancestors who braved great hardships to live better lives in America.

One person who would applaud the monument’s enduring legacy is George Bochetto, a Philadelphia attorney who has worked pro bono behind the cause of protecting Italian monuments at Marconi Plaza and elsewhere. The world is watching his efforts, and with each victory comes the strength to move forward honoring our culture and heritage and our pride in being an American.