April is Diversity Month, a time to recognize and celebrate other cultures and populations. It is important that we find value in each other’s experiences, differences and unique characteristics as it enables us to respond with relevance, empathy and compassion. As community members, we must prioritize our commitment to diversity and inclusion - creating meaningful interaction, opportunity and inclusion for all people, not just some. As a people, we are the intersectionality of race, ethnic origin and color, religion and creed, sexual orientation, age, ability, sizes and shapes, to name but a few. We originate from a myriad of cultures, steeped in a multitude of belief systems and traditions.
Take time to recognize the diversity in your workplace, school, neighborhood, or home. By celebrating the unique cultures, backgrounds and traditions of others, we can gain a greater appreciation for the diversity that surrounds us.
Here are some ways you can celebrate Diversity Month:
- Host a socially distant pot luck meal where friends and family bring in dishes that represent their ethnicity or their favorite ethnic foods.
- Do arts and crafts with your children that represent different cultures.
- Plan an event that brings together different ethnic groups to celebrate.
- Bring together different religious groups to learn about each other or pray for world peace together.
-
Explore different cultures through art forms, poetry, music, crafts, traditional costumes, language, attend a cultural art exhibit, etc.
-
Host a multi-cultural movie nigh: Watch videos that discuss diverse topics and/or Watch documentaries.
- Support local businesses that are owned by women and/or people of color.
-
Check out Social Media- Look up #diversitymonth and see what people are posting.
-
Take an online course.
- Read a Book: check out your local library to gain access to their catalogs.
