October is the month of Disability Employment Awareness, Global Diversity Awareness and Filipino American History
The month of October gives us so much to learn and think about! Here are some helpful articles for learning, awareness and actionable ways to acknowledge and celebrate:
National Disablity Employment Awareness Month
This effort began in 1945 when Congress enacted Public Law 176 and marked the first week in October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped week. The wording was later changed in 1962 to include individuals with all types of disabilities. The U.S. Department of Labor has designated this year's theme as "Advancing Access and Equity."
Global Diversity Awareness Month
This effort began with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly after WWII and evolved to what we know today as Global Diversity Awareness Month. According to National Today, the day is "essentially an acknowledgment that we should remember and understand the value of each human being, regardless of their nationality, color, race, sex, gender, country of origin, language or otherwise."
Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month was first passed as a proclamation in 1991 and celebrated starting October 1992. Filipino Americans comprise the second largest Asian American group in the U.S. and includes a rich history of participation and contribution to our country dating back to October 18, 1587.
Another notable date to be aware of is National Coming Out Day which is on October 11th. This day was founded in 1988 to mark the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated on Monday, October 9th and was established as a holiday to celebrate in lieu of Columbus Day. According to Illuminative, the day
"...aims to celebrate and honor the past, present, and futures of Native peoples throughout the United States and acknowledges the legacy of colonialism, which has devastated Indigenous Communities historically and continues to negatively impact them today. More importantly, however, Indigenous Peoples' Day moves beyond the narrative of oppression and honors the histories, cultures, contribution, and resilience of contemporary Native peoples."
Real Rent Duwamish suggests the following activites to stand in solidarity with the Duwamish Tribe on Indigenous Peoples' Day:
Pause to name and honor the Duwamish People with the land acknowledgement they have written: ”I would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.” Or use this example to inspire your own heartfelt wording. Worried about getting it wrong? Check out this blog post What if I Get it Wrong? by our co-founder Dr. Caprice Hollins on getting through that fear.
Consider how you live on the land you inhabit, consider joining a land-tending day with Land Back projects, such as Heron’s Nest.
Cultures Connecting contributes monthly to Real Rent Duwamish. Join us by signing up and invite three friends/family to join you!
March with the Duwamish! Check the Tribe's social media for when and where in the days prior: Instagram, Facebook. (Don't forget to wear your Real Rent or Stand With The Duwamish T-shirt!)
Add your handprint to the Duwamish’s Social Justice mural at COME PAINT A MURAL WITH US sponsored by the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center on Oct. 1, 7 and 8th. Visit our Event Calendar for details.
Moving Beyond Tokenism in Hiring
So how do we move beyond tokenism in order to create diversity and a sense of belonging for all employees?
We recently wrote about this in our blog article Moving Beyond Tokenism During the Hiring Process. Head on over to the blog to read the full article.
If you are interested in creating a more diverse workforce at your organization, our next Hiring & Retaining a Diverse Workforce workshop is on November 16-17. Click the button below to learn more and register.
Culture TALKS Seattle with Ilsa Govan
The panelists will share stories about their experiences in perpetuating and being on the receiving end of White supremacy, how they're working to dismantle it, and concrete ways we can all take action.
Registration is free. Visit the Eventbrite page to get your tickets.
The Social Justice Film Festival
"The Social Justice Film Festival serves as a dynamic forum where art and social justice intersect to build community beyond borders and lift-up voices, issues, and stories of public importance."
The Social Justice Film Festival will be running from October 11-15th at the NW Film Forum, University Heights Center, Pacific Tower and online. Tickets are $5 for each film, with over 40 films available for screening. Opening night features the screening of Beyond Walls, a series of documentaries about the prison industrial complex, followed by a panel discussion.
Visit the festival website to learn more and watch the trailer for the festival below.
Upcoming DEIB/Social Justice Events
For details on these and other events, workshops and conferences happening in the social justice space, visit our Events Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to share, please reach out to us!
10/01: Duwamish Social Justice: Come Paint a Mural with Us (also on Oct 7-8).
10/03: NAMI BIPOC Support Group (every Tuesday)
10/04: Managing Equitably 2-Part Series
10/05: NAMI LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Group (every first and third Thursday)
10/05: NAAM Seattle Black Panthers Fight for Justice and Freedom Documentary Film Preview and Book Talk
10/06: Seattle School Connect 2023 Discourse
10/06: NAAM Unity Benefit: Amplifying Black Excellence
10/08: NAAM Interactive Story Time
10/10: Intersectional Allyship for Racial Justice Workshop
10/10: Standardizing Equitable Complaint Systems
10/11: Social Justice Film Festival Opening
10/11: Integrating Accessiblity into DEI Initiatives
10/11: Seeking the Forest: Reckoning with Our Roots for a Racially Just Future
10/12: Cultivating Safe Spaces Session
10/12: Seattle Queer Film Festival Opening
10/12: CARW: Monthly Connection Circle
10/13: The Architecture of Oppression
...and so much more! Visit our Events Calendar to see the most up-to-date full schedule.
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