A pictorial exhibit celebrating European-American heritage is being considered by Skyline College for its proposed display on campus.

Louis Calabro, president of the European/American Issues Forum (EAIF) stated that Skyline College President Victoria Morrow has granted permission to display the exhibit. However, he has yet to be informed as to where and when the display will take place on campus.

Calabro has questioned the four-month negotiations, in which a date and time have yet to be determined, given that arrangements to display the same exhibit at Cañada College took just two weeks.

The exhibit was on display at the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library from January to March 2004 and at Cañada in October 2004.

Formed in 1997, the EAIF states on its website that its intentions are “to promote the civil rights of European Americans.” Also, Calabro says the group has been formally recognized by six cities on the Peninsula through official proclamations in San Bruno, South San Francisco, Millbrae, Pacifica, San Mateo and Redwood City.

Calabro said the intention of the exhibit “is to display twelve black and white photographs of European-Americans, along with a short biography, one of which features former mayor of San Francisco Joseph L. Alioto, and others that have made significant achievement and lifetime contribution to American society.”

Although the exhibit is expected to be displayed at Skyline in the near future, the furor surrounding the EAIF is no less controversial.

In a November 2004 letter to then-interim president at Skyline, Shirley Kelly, Calabro wrote, “In the interests of fairness and diversity we created a pictorial exhibit titled, ‘European Americans Among Us-A Celebration of Diversity and Achievement.'”

“We’re part of the community and we should be honored as any other group,” Calabro said in a recent interview. “Our contributions to society should be respected and recognized just as we respect and celebrate the right of all other groups to celebrate who and what they are. The purpose of showing this exhibit is to let the young people in the schools know there are European-American people who have made great achievements and we’re proud of that. I don’t know what’s controversial about that.”

The Associated Students of Skyline College (ASSC) is one of the constituencies questioning the exhibit and its creator’s intentions.

According to ASSC President Ilka Barcala, who described her position as the top voice for students concerns, no formal surveys or polls have been conducted among students to ascertain their official positions on the issue, but her sense from what students are saying about the EAIF is that there are “racial undertones” associated with statements made by the EAIF and listed on it’s website at http://www.eaif.org.

The exhibit issue was on the ASSC’s meeting agenda for informative purposes last week. And, although present at the ASSC meeting, seeking opportunity to discuss his group’s anticipated exhibit with the ASSC, Calabro did not gain opportunity to speak, though he was available later for comment.

“We should be proud of what we are, and we are proud, and that’s what the exhibit is about,” he said.

“If there’s opposition to us, we ask that we’re given an opportunity to respond.”

Speaking on behalf of Skyline, President Morrow stated that she “encourages everyone to take a look at it, (the website) and expect that others will do the same when the exhibit’s here.”