There are so many amazing months that are dedicated to celebrating diversity in the United States. While it is important to celebrate these months, it is equally important to be recognizing, and implementing the celebration of different cultures, heritages, and lifestyles throughout the year.
By taking part in each month, it gives you specific awareness to set aside additional time to specifically learn about different individuals and groups. This is important for individuals, couples, parents, guardians, businesses and educators.
Some ideas of things to learn about during these months are:
History
Oppression
Current issues faced today
Ways you can contribute to equity and inclusion (Petitions, Donations, Volunteering, Voting, etc.)
Successes
Learning more about the group's practices, culture, heroes
Ways that you can learn about different groups are:
Educate yourself and your kids/students
Get to know individuals in the community who are a part of this specific group, and foster meaningful relationships
Volunteer at a local organization that supports a cause related to the monthly celebration
Read books that talk about historic or present day struggles, achievements and more. Get to know about specific individuals who are prominent in that specific community
Watch movies and documentaries about the group/community (be sure to do your research to ensure that they are not contributing to inaccurate information and implicit biases)
DIVERSITY CELEBRATIONS BY MONTH
February - Black History Month
March - Women's History Month
April - Hmong Heritage Month
May - Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
June - Pride Month
September 15 - October 15 - National Hispanic Heritage Month
October - LGBT History Month
November - National Native American Heritage Month
All of these months are just reminders for us to individually to the work to educate ourselves and others on the importance of diversity within each group. Continued education, and awareness is what makes this world a better place by fostering diversity, equity, access and inclusion.