Monthly News & Updates

February 2023 | Issue XXXVVVVI

“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.

- Late Rep. John Lewis


Each year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, established by Carter G. Woodson in 1915, selects a theme to unify and focus the public’s attention on topics that highlight important developments. The themes reflect changes in how people of the African Diaspora in the U.S. view themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the Black community. This year, ASALH has selected Black Resistance to highlight all the ways Black Americans have sought to nurture and protect Black lives through armed resistance, voluntary emigration, nonviolence, education, literature, sports, media, music, and through legislation/politics.

Learn more about ASALH's Themes
2023 Black History Month Virtual Festival

Free things to Do

  • Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • Anacostia Community Museum
  • African American Civil War Memorial and Museum
  • Frederick Douglass’ Home
  • Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
  • Carter G. Woodson House

Support Black Owned Businesses

Black Chefs and/or Restaurants

Businesses


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Director's Note


Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends: 


Happy Black History Month! This month we acknowledge the historic and on-going efforts of Black Americans to resist oppression, in all forms, and to strive for equity, justice, and peace. From the armed and intellectual resistance practiced by enslaved persons to the sit-ins, boycotts, and marches that characterized the 1950, 60s, and 1970s, to silently kneeling during the national anthem, Black Americans sought many ways to nurture and protect their lives. 


Unfortunately, and despite small steps forward, racial discrimination remains a prevalent and systemic problem. In the District, the Human Rights Act of 1977 protects against both racial discrimination and personal appearance discrimination (including hair) in the areas of employment, educational institutions, housing, and public accommodations and government services. Yet, Black women, especially, face challenges wearing their natural hair at work in more than half of U.S. states. Since 2019, community leaders, lawmakers, and organizations have launched a movement to introduce legislation that prohibits workplace discrimination solely upon hairstyle and texture. This legislation has been frequently called the CROWN Act, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Act. Despite challenges in Congress, it has been enacted at the local level in several jurisdictions, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While the future of the CROWN Act in Congressional Washington is uncertain, in the city of Washington, D.C., we are committed to our DC Values and remain certain that discrimination based on hair is wrong and the Office of Human Rights will accept such complaints under the DC Human Rights Act.

 

If our country cannot agree on something as simple as the right to wear one’s natural hair, we know we still have a long way to go to achieve true justice and equality in areas like education, healthcare, and the criminal justice system.   


So, this month and every month, I encourage you to learn about the historic and on-going struggles of Black Americans to achieve self-determination in a democratic society. You can start by joining us on February 23rd for a intergenerational panel, “The Past, Present, and Future of Black Resistance in the District and Beyond” to discuss where we have been and where we are going. This is a hybrid event held at MLK Library in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs. You can register for events with the links below.


Finally, I invite you to be mindful in your communications and conduct so that you foster an environment that is inclusive, wherever you may be.  OHR has been working hard over the last year to develop several inclusive language guides, and the first “Words Matter: A Guide to Inclusive Language around Racial and Ethnic Identity”, is set to be released very soon. Please be on the lookout for this wonderful educational resource. 

In Solidarity, 

Hnin Khaing

Acting Director


 

 


Trait of the Month: Race and Personal Appearance

Under the D.C. Human Rights Act, race and personal appearance are protected traits in all four enforcement areas (educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodations and government services.)  


DID YOU KNOW: In 1970s, Chester Pierce coined the term “racial microaggressions” to describe the subtle ways Black Americans experience racism on a daily basis. Microaggressions are the “everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target someone based on their membership in a marginalized group. They may seem harmless, but research has shown that they have a powerful impact on the psychological well-being of people of color and a very real impact on their standard of living. Examples include: Saying things like “you are a credit to your race” or following a person of color around in a store they are shopping in (microinsult); Asking someone where they (or their family) is really from/ Telling them to go back to their country or Saying “I don’t see color” (microinvalidation); or displaying a swastika or other racial symbol or telling ethnic or racial jokes (microassault).

What's New and Upcoming

OHR is pleased to announce the following employment opportunities for February 2023.


  • Active Vacancies
  • Attorney Advisor- Litigation (Focused) (Grade 12)
  • Future Vacancies
  • Associate Director: Communication & Education (Grade 15)
  • Associate Director: Enforcement (Grade 15)
  • Associate Director: Compliance & Equity Programs (Grade 15)
  • EEO Compliance and Training Officer (Grade 13)
  • Equal Opportunity Specialist/Investigator (Grade 11)
  • Equal Opportunity Specialist/Investigator (Grade 12)
  • Information Technology (IT) Specialist (Grade 13)
  • Data Analyst (Grade 11/12)


For more information, please email ohr.humanresources@dc.gov.

23 Protected Traits

Register Here
Register for IN-PERSON EVENT
Register for VIRTUAL EVENT


The D.C. Language Access Coalition holds its virtual meetings on the last Tuesday of every month, from 10:00-11:30 am. If you are interested in resuming your participation or joining the Coalition, e-mail Coalition member Allison Miles-Lee at amileslee@breadforthecity.org for more information.

NEW Protections for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors Living with HIV in Long-Term Care Facilities  

OHR acknowledges the newly enacted “Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Amendment Act of 2020” (the “Act”) affords additional protections under the DC Human Rights Act.  The Act became effective on December 23, 2020. 

What’s New? 

The Act protects residents of long-term care facilities from discrimination AND mandates staff training on the rights and legal protections for LGBTQ seniors and seniors living with HIV at a long-term care facility in Washington, DC.  

OHR Responsibilities among others includes to:  

  • Create a list of certified trainers to instruct all staff in long-term care facilities in the District of Columbia about the anti-discrimination rights of LGBTQ seniors and seniors with HIV; ultimately, these trainings will create safer spaces and more affirming environments. 

For more information and to learn more about the law and its requirements for long term care services, please visit: https://ohr.dc.gov/page/care-seniors or scan this QR code

Events and Observances

2023 Virginia Black History Month Gala

Saturday, February 25th

6- 9 pm

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center


The Virginia Black History Month Association will host its annual gala, featuring keynote speaker, Leon Robinson, a veteran actor, singer, and producer who is best known for his roles as David Ruffin in "The Temptations", J.T. Matthews in "The Five Hearbeats" and Little Richard in "Little Richard."

Learn More About this Event

Black Health Fair & Relationship Seminar

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center (Hotel)

Friday, February 24, 2023

4-8 pm

The Virginia Black History Month Association (VaBHMA) will host its Annual Black Health Fair and Relationship Seminar featuring 30 or more healthcare organizations to perform on-the-spot prescreening, provide lifesaving information, or set up appointments for the community to get screened by their private physician.


The Relationship Seminar: Whether you are married, in a committed relationship, or single and looking for the right person, we invite you to come and listen or take part in our Relationship Seminar. Having the right skills to maintain a healthy relationship is important to all those looking to maintain lasting relationships. Regardless of your relationship status, you will need to be empowered with "the right tools" to maintain a healthy long-term relationship.

Learn More About This Event

DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov

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