POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Nov. 6, 2025 — The Dutchess Community College Foundation (DCCF) will host a lecture by John Schmitz, Ph.D., professor of history at Northern Virginia Community College, on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in the James & Betty Hall Theatre on the College’s main campus.
Part of the Distinguished Lecture Series to Perpetuate the Legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the talk, titled “Enemies Among Us: Civility and Civil Rights During the Second World War,” will explore how fear, prejudice and national security concerns during World War II tested Americans’ commitment to civility and civil rights at home. The son and grandson of World War II internees, Schmitz brings both personal perspective and scholarly expertise to the subject.
While the internment of Japanese Americans is well documented, he sheds light on the lesser-known stories of German and Italian Americans who were also relocated, interned or repatriated—often in greater numbers. His research examines how these policies arose, the conditions faced by those affected and the long-term consequences for individuals and families.
Schmitz is the author of “Enemies Among Us: The Relocation, Internment, and Repatriation of German, Italian, and Japanese Americans during the Second World War” and coauthor of “A Crisis of Identity: Good Aliens, Bad Americans, or Bargaining Chips?”
The lecture will be facilitated by Andrew Rieser, Ph.D., DCC professor of history and recipient of the Handel Family Endowed Faculty Chair to Perpetuate the Legacy of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
This free community event will be held in the James and Betty Hall Theatre. Visitors are advised to park in Lot D (GPS address: 90 Cottage Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601).