Wednesday, July 15th at 5:00pm
Zoom link: https://tinyurl.com/LVEHC-Digital-Forum
Meeting ID: 717 355 4988
Access by phone: (646) 876-9923
A panel discussion examining the intersection of public art, history, and social justice. At this moment of social and political unrest, Christopher Columbus is once again caught in the crosshairs. With calls to remove controversial monuments from public spaces, Easton’s riverfront statue has ignited heated debate. A petition to have it removed has been signed by hundreds of Lehigh Valley residents. Tensions are high.
Activists, public art experts, the Italian American community, and the Lenape will discuss the historical context of this particular statue, its past and present meaning, and how communities like ours have grappled with the idolization of problematic figures, including making space for change. The forum will be hosted on Zoom by the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society and moderated by Claudia Volpe. An audience Q & A will be held at the end.
These events are sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Engaged Humanities Consortium with generous support provided by a grant to Lafayette College from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. These forums will be recorded and available for use by LVAIC faculty. Please contact grant coordinator Kate Pitts at pittsk@lafayette.edu for more information.