As part of our Inclusive Language Series this year, we introduced terms and resources to promote mutual learning and to create more inclusive communities.
We shared the following terms with you: Inclusive language, Bias, Code Switching, Undocumented, APIDA/AAPI, Ableism, and many more. We recognize that this doesn’t even begin to cover half of the terms or identities that exist but this is only the beginning of an ongoing conversation. We look forward to introducing more terms next academic year and continuing our work supporting inclusive communities.
Now that we have taken time to reflect on the terms we explored, we encourage you to take some time to reflect on what you have learned about yourself and others.
Reflection Questions
- Is there an identity or term that you would like to learn more about or would like for others to further explore? What are ways you can proactively create opportunities for learning?
- What are ways you have challenged yourself to become more aware of issues that disproportionally affect some identities over others? If you can’t think of any examples from this semester, what are some ways that you can challenge yourself in the future?
- What were your main takeaways from the articles you read? How do you plan to incorporate what you learned into your everyday life?
Learning about identity is an ongoing journey that doesn’t have an end destination. There will always be something new to learn or unlearn, and that’s okay. This learning requires vulnerability because you are going to make mistakes along the way. The most powerful thing you can do is turn those mistakes into moments of learning in order to be better and do better down the road. We plan to continue the Inclusive Language Series in the Fall 2023 semester. We encourage everyone to keep learning and growing in the meantime. As a disclaimer, it’s important to consider the source of your learning. You should never be learning (intentionally) at the expense of someone with a marginalized identity. If you want to learn, there are many spaces that exist for that very purpose. A quick internet search does wonders. Thank you for engaging with us this semester, take care!
Upcoming Holidays & Observances
- May 4: National Day of Prayer: A day of observance in the United States when people are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation”
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo: A Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861–1867). This day celebrates Mexican culture and heritage with a variety of festivities, including parades and mariachi music performances.
- May 8-9: (sundown to sundown) Lag BaOme: A Jewish holiday marking the day of hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
- May 17: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia: A global celebration of sexual orientation and gender diversities
- May 18: Ascension of Jesus or Ascension Day: Celebrated as the ascension of Christ from Earth in the presence of God within most of the Christian faith
- May 21: World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: A day set aside by the United Nations as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together in harmony
- May 23-24: (sundown to sundown) Declaration of the Báb: The day of declaration of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith
- May 29: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh: Commemorates the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith
- May 29: Memorial Day: In the United States, a federal holiday established to honor military veterans who died in wars fought by US forces