Our Mission is to foster and support an environment of inclusion, respect, fairness, and transparency, where differences are celebrated and all opinions are valued.
Initiated in April of 2004, National Celebrate Diversity Month is an international observance established to recognize and honor the diversity in the world. It’s a time to recognize and learn about differences in race, ethnicity, faith, gender, sexual orientation, and the many other factors that make us who we are while honoring our commonalities. This is the time to appreciate our differences and similarities and gain a deeper understanding of each other.
This month, start a conversation. Take time to share your culture and heritage with those around you. People celebrate this month in a variety of different ways, such as engaging in learning opportunities, attending a cultural art exhibit, hosting a multicultural movie night, supporting minorityowned businesses, listening to music from around the world, or exploring a local restaurant to try a food you’ve never tasted before. How will you celebrate?
Recently, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
(DEI) Council invited guest presenter Dr. Norissa Williams, Founder and CEO of Liberation
Research and Practice Institute, to conduct trainings on two important topics.
In February, the Council defined and explored antiblackness. Through training, breakout sessions, and open group discussion, they discussed antiblackness through hierarchical systems, historical impacts, and the continued prevalence of antiblackness in our society. They also discussed how to dismantle power structures that replicate antiblackness. In March, they highlighted the topic of gender as a construct. The Council had an engaging discussion on the ways we’ve been socialized to think about gender, the impacts of this hierarchical system in our society, and how to dismantle male supremacy in our lives and workplace.
April is an important month for those practicing many of the world’s major religions. Muslims, Jews, and Christians all celebrate important holidays.
The Holy Month of Ramadan
March 22 ushered in the beginning of Ramadan, which marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is the holiest time of the year for Muslims. This period of 29–30 days from the sighting of one crescent moon to the next, is a time of prayer, spiritual reflection, growth, charity, and family. It honors when Allah sent an angel to the prophet Muhammad to reveal the Quran, the Islamic holy book, in 610 AD. This revelation is known as the “night of power.”
During this month, able Muslims are required to fast from dawn to sunset, as fasting is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. It is an act of worship and allows Muslims to devote themselves to their faith, practice patience, and come closer to Allah, or God. At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which begins when the new moon is first seen in the sky. In 2023, it is expected to fall between April 21 to 22. The Eid a-Fitr festival gives thanks to Allah and celebrates the breaking of the fast.
The celebration of Passover, one of the most sacred Jewish holidays, began at sundown on April 5. It falls on the first full moon in the Hebrew calendar month and commemorates the biblical story of Exodus and the Israelites’ departure from Ancient Egypt. According to the Hebrew bible, Moses received a commandment from God to return to Egypt and free the Israelites from slavery. Moses asked the Pharaoh for a threeday leave for the Israelites so they could celebrate a feast. When he refused, God unleashed 10 plagues on the Egyptians, culminating in the death of all firstborn sons. Because God instructed Moses and his followers to mark their doors, this plague passed over the Jewish households. Fearing further repercussions, the Egyptians convinced the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go.
On the first two nights of Passover, Jewish families gather for a special meal called the Seder and recount the
history of Israel and their freedom from slavery. During Passover, practicing Jews refrain from eating leavened food. This practice commemorates how the ancient Israelites left Egypt in such haste that they did not have time for their bread to rise. Passover conveys five major concepts for leading a successful life—memory, optimism, faith, family, and empathy. Jewish people are charged with inwardly reflecting about the importance of the responsibility of freedom.
Easter, one of the most important holidays in the Christian faith, was celebrated on April 9. It is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21). Christians believe Jesus died on Good Friday when he was crucified by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. Easter marks the day when Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days following his burial. Christians believe that the sins of humanity were paid for by the death of God’s only son, Jesus, and that his resurrection represents the anticipation believers can have in their own resurrection.
Many Christians celebrate Easter with music, flowers, candlelight, and special church services or Easter processions. They view it as the greatest feast of the church year and often share a meal with family in celebration. Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, reflection, fasting, and service. Many Christians give up a comfort or adopt a spiritual practice during Lent that leads to self-examination, repentance from sin, and way to pay homage to the sacrifice that Jesus made. ●
Abuse comes in many forms—from physical violence, to sexual abuse, to neglect, such as when necessary medical care and food are withheld. According to Childhelp statistics, five children die daily in the U.S. due to neglect and abuse. Countless more are rescued from abusive situations.
In 2000, a Congressional resolution designated Childhelp National Day of Hope to be observed on the first Wednesday of April each year. It is a day to remember children who have been abused and to inspire people looking to help individuals suffering from abuse or neglect to act.
The Day of Hope was created by Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, who started a nonprofit organization called International Orphans Inc. in the 1960s to assist a group of orphaned children overseas and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and supporting children. In 1976, they launched a campaign against child abuse called the Children’s Village USA. In 1978, they opened the first residential treatment center specifically for abused children, in Beaumont, California.
Through their advocacy with President Carter, April was designated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In 1983, Children’s Village USA
The Day of Silence was started by college students in the 1990s to shed light on the living conditions of many LGBTQ+ people. It is a day of protest where members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies come together to protest what many in the community face in their everyday lives.
This year, the Day of Silence takes place on April 14, 2023.
changed its name to Childhelp USA to focus on stateside initiatives, and Childhelp International was introduced for international activities. This enabled the organization to share its expertise with child abuse agencies around the world. To this day, it works to provide the necessary resources and support to child victims in various countries.
Autism Acceptance Month begins with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, when the communities of the world come together to shine light on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and individuals with ASD. 2023 is the 16th anniversary of Autism Awareness Day.
Many children are victims of abuse and neglect and are not given the proper care and protection they deserve. Studies show that children who go through abusive experiences are at greater risk of developing problems later in life such as engaging in high risk behaviors, substance abuse, mood disorders, and death by suicide.
Childhood suffering has a significant impact on our society; the Day of Hope is a call to action to prevent child abuse and protect children worldwide.
ASD is a brain development disorder that comes from the Greek word “autos” meaning self. Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disorder in the world, and approximately one in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed. Core symptoms include social interaction and communication deficits and restricted and repetitive behaviors. The Autism Society began to raise awareness for autism in 1972 with Autism Awareness Week, which later became Autism Awareness Month in April. In 2021, the Autism Society changed the name to Autism Acceptance Month in order to foster acceptance and ignite change.
Although there is no specific color to represent autism, as every child with autism is unique, the Autism Speaks Foundation chose blue to demonstrate Autism Awareness and Acceptance. According to them, blue demonstrates serenity and calmness. ASD is often represented with the colors of the rainbow. Most closely tied to the concept of the autism spectrum, the range of colors on the rainbow has often been used to visually represent the diversity and range of symptoms, abilities, and challenges associated with autism.
42% of LGBTQ+ people report feeling unwelcome in their environment. LGBTQ+ youth are twice as likely as their straight peers to experience physical harassment or bullying.
92% of LGBTQ+ youth report receiving negative messages about their sexuality and identity.
Almost a quarter of LGBTQ+ people earn less than $12,000 per year.
Those who participate take a vow of silence for the day to protest the harmful impact of hate, discrimination, and harassment on members of the community. This protest takes place across the
country and the world. There are over 10,000 institutions registered as participants to The Day of Silence; all 50 states are represented as well as countries like New Zealand and Singapore. Although this day was started by college students at one university, it has spread to workplaces, other universities, and even sporting events. At the end of the day, participants break their silence and share their experiences during the protest in an effort to bring awareness and make their communities more inclusive. ●
Symbols for autism have continued to change. The original symbol by developed Gerald Gasson was the puzzle accompanied by the crying child. As understanding of autism has spread, the puzzle, or puzzle piece, has remained as the most well-known symbol, although it is not without controversy. Many believe the puzzle symbol means an individual with autism is “missing” something. Another interpretation is that autism is something to be solved; a stereotype that many autistic people dislike and dispute.
As understanding and acceptance of autism has spread, people around the world have developed new symbols to represent autism acceptance, including the butterfly as an inspiration for an individual’s changing abilities, and the infinity symbol. On its own, the infinity symbol means something is never-ending. When it comes to autism, it demonstrates a continuous journey.
No matter how you look at autism, no one symbol or color represents the developmental disorder that affects so many throughout the world. We should focus on moving from awareness to acceptance to full integration into society
