Cultural and Identity Celebration Months
NATIONAL ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH – APRIL 2024
“To overcome my fear, I shackled myself with hope, its links heavier than any metal known to man.”
– Laila Lalami, Moroccan-American novelist and essayist
In 2021, President Biden made history by officially designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month, acknowledging the enduring and significant impact Arab Americans have made on the United States from its inception. Arab Americans have been instrumental in enhancing the nation’s diplomatic relations, spearheading advancements in science, technology, arts, and culture as well as playing a pivotal role in championing for civil rights and advocating for social justice. National Arab American Heritage Month serves as a time to honor and celebrate the numerous achievements and contributions of Arab Americans.
Source: US Department of State- Recognizing National Arab American Heritage Month
Arab Americans have been at the forefront of the fight for civil rights and social justice. Here are a few examples:
- Kahlil Gibran, world-renowned Lebanese-born author of The Prophet, whose work underscored his respect for the dignity of man, his belief in the sanctity of individual freedom, and universal love of humanity. This collection of poetic essays published in 1923 continues to be revered for its philosophical insight, artistic merit, universal themes, and influence on pop culture.
- Donna Shalala was appointed by President Bill Clinton as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 1993-2001, becoming the longest-serving Secretary in this department.
- In 2018, Rashida Tlaib became one of the first two Muslim women and the first Palestinian-American woman to be elected to the United States Congress. Representing Michigan’s 13th congressional district, Tlaib has been a vocal advocate for civil rights, social justice, and the rights of marginalized communities.
Learn More:
Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month at USC
PBS | Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
Arab American Institute – National Arab American Demographics
History.com | Arab American Heritage Month
Upcoming Events:
Arab American Heritage Month Closing Ceremony – Apr 26, 2024
Join the USC Middle Eastern North African Student Assembly (MENASA) for a workshop to design your own traditional mosaic style lamps popular throughout the Arab world.
Registration Link: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/arab_american_heritage_month_closing_ceremony
USC’S ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) HERITAGE MONTH – APRIL 2024
While nationally celebrated in May, USC recognizes AAPI Heritage Month during April in order to celebrate the achievements and contributions of our AAPI community before commencement and students leave for the summer.
“Life is not what you alone make it. Life is the input of everyone who touched your life and every experience that entered it. We are all part of one another.”
– Yuri Kochiyama, American Civil Rights Activist
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is a yearly observance in May that honors the historical and cultural impact of Asian and Pacific Islander communities on the United States. The term “AAPI” encompasses a wide range of cultures from the entire Asian continent, which includes East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. According to the 2020 U.S. Census data, approximately 20.6 million people of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage reside in the United States. Research by the Pew Research Center highlights that the AAPI population is a diverse and expanding group, accounting for about 7 percent of the entire U.S. population.
The contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are evident across various sectors of American culture and society. These include advancements in science and medicine, achievements in literature and the arts, notable performances in sports and recreation, leadership in government and politics, and significant efforts in activism and legal reforms.
Learn More:
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month at USC
Federal Asian Pacific American Council – Advancing Leaders through Innovation
History.com | AAPI Heritage Month
Upcoming Events:
AAPI Heritage Month Virtual Celebration – May 1, 2024 12pm
Join fellow students, faculty and staff in a virtual celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Zoom information coming soon.
Registration Link: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/aapi_heritage_month_virtual_celebration
ARMENIAN HERITAGE & HISTORY MONTH – APRIL 2024
Armenian-American History & Heritage Month and Genocide Remembrance is held in April every calendar year. Approximately 500,000-1 million Armenians call the United States home and have a rich, diverse cultural heritage and migration story. Many in the community come from histories of refugeehood and displacement historically and continue to be leaders in social, political, economic, and artistic life in the U.S.
Source: Armenian-American Action Network
Learn More:
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
Partners in Care Foundation: April is Armenian History Month
Glendale Library Arts & Culture: Armenian History Month
Upcoming Events:
Armenian History Month – May 4, 2024 1pm
Join us for the opening ceremony of Armenian History Month featuring opening remarks by President Carol Folt, remarks by USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies Director Dr. Shushan Karapetian and USC Armenian Students Association Vice President Mane Berikyan, a special performance by Lernazang Ensemble and Armenian cuisine.
Registration Link: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/armenian_history_month
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE MONTH – APRIL 2024
“The world needs all kinds of minds.”
– Temple Grandin, Renowned Scientist
April marks Autism Acceptance Month with World Autism Day occurring on April 2 every year. The month is meant to be a time for uplifting autistic voices and sharing in the community’s joy.
Learn More:
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY MONTH- APRIL 2024
“We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, and dignity.”
– Max de Pree, American Businessman and Author
Celebrate Diversity Month takes place in April every year. It was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us. It is a time to recognize and understand our differences, be it gender, race, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, and other factors, while honoring the common essence of humanity. By appreciating our similarities and differences, the month aims to get people to foster a deeper understanding of others, regardless of who they are, what they are, or how they live. It’s also an opportunity to increase diversity in the workplace and various academic fields.
Source: National Today
NATIONAL DEAF HISTORY MONTH – APRIL 2024
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NEWS
Interior Department Completes Removal of “Sq___” from Federal Use
The Department of the Interior last week announced the final replacement names for nearly 650 geographic features featuring the word sq___. A final vote from the Board on Geographic Names completed historic efforts to remove a term from federal use that has historically been used as an offensive ethnic, racial and sexist slur, particularly for Indigenous women. See
The Department of the Interior last week announced the final replacement names for nearly 650 geographic features featuring the word sq___. A final vote from the Board on Geographic Names completed historic efforts to remove a term from federal use that has historically been used as an offensive ethnic, racial and sexist slur, particularly for Indigenous women. One valley in Los Angeles County was renamed .See Replacement Names
Jennifer Jermaine, White Earth Nation: “Changing the names is important to our Native community. It is important to all women to ensure geographic sites do not include defamatory terms meant to degrade and harm women in their names.”
Read More 9/12/2022
Calling all Students, Faculty and Staff Create Social Justice Expressive Art Submit your original artwork to share with our community! |
Share your personal social justice cause, make some art and have fun! We need you to donate your art for display around the school and on our social media.
Scan or take a photo of your artwork and email tit o sswodei@usc.edu . Or post it on social media and tag @uscsocialwork.
Questions? Contact Ann Marie Yamada, Associate Dean of Inclusion and Diversity.