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Pride Month

Since 1970, the month of June has honored the LGBTQ+ community’s ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance. Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots of June 1969, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history when patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City fought back against police harassment and discrimination. In 1970, bisexual activist Brenda Howard organized Gay Pride Week and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots. This event evolved into the New York City Pride March, inspiring similar parades globally. Today, parades, parties, workshops, concerts, and conferences are dedicated to uplifting LGBT voices, culture, and rights. To all members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, have a happy and empowering Pride Month!

National Caribbean American Heritage Month

The Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) started its efforts to establish National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM) in 1999, reaching out to President Bill Clinton for recognition of August as the heritage month. Concurrently, an ad hoc group led by Doreen Thompson sought to declare June Caribbean Heritage Month in Washington, D.C. ICS collaborated with this group in June 1999 and changed its name to National Caribbean American Heritage Month (NCAHM). Despite initial challenges engaging the White House, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a bill in 2004 to introduce the Heritage Month. The bill passed in 2006, with President George W. Bush signing the proclamation on June 5. Dr. Claire Nelson, ICS’s founder and president, spearheaded the campaign, emphasizing the contributions of Caribbean immigrants to America’s diversity and achievements. For more information, visit https://caribbeanamericanmonth.com/

Immigrant Heritage Month

America is a melting pot, where the diverse backgrounds and talents of immigrants have fueled its advancements and fostered its thriving spirit of innovation and progress. The I Stand With Immigrants/I Am An Immigrant Initiative, led by the FWD.us Education Fund, Inc., empowers immigrants and allies to share their stories, demonstrating how immigration benefits communities, the economy, and the country. Through campaigns like #ToImmigrantsWithLove, #CelebrateImmigrants, and #ImmigrantHeritageMonth, individuals can celebrate immigrant contributions year-round. Immigrant Heritage Month, since June 2014, encourages exploring heritage and celebrating America’s diverse story through short films, photo essays, and campaigns. Immigrant Heritage Month has gained traction amongst people of all backgrounds, including celebrities and large corporations like Netflix, which in June 2021 created a section of films and shows featuring stories of immigrant characters and families.  Happy Immigrant Heritage Month! For more information, visit https://www.iamanimmigrant.com/

6/11 Shavuot

Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, is a significant Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It falls fifty days after Passover, marking the completion of the seven-week counting of the Omer. Shavuot was originally agriculturally and spiritually significant, as it celebrated the wheat harvest. Today, it is observed through traditions including studying Torah all night (Tikkun Leil Shavuot), decorating homes and synagogues with flowers and greenery, and enjoying dairy-based foods like cheesecake and blintzes. Shavuot is a time for reflection, gratitude, and recommitment to Jewish teachings, fostering a sense of unity and connection within the community. Chag Sameach!

6/12 Loving Day

“The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.”

-Loving v. Virginia, 1967

Today celebrates the 57^th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case, Loving v. Virginia, that ruled that laws banning interracial marriage violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution. Loving Day takes its name from Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who were married in 1958 in Washington, D.C., and faced persecution and legal challenges when they returned to their home state of Virginia, where interracial marriage was illegal under the Racial Integrity Act of 1924. In 1967, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Lovings, not only invalidating laws against interracial marriage in Virginia but also setting a precedent for the entire nation. As society continues to evolve, Loving Day remains a symbol of progress and hope, a reminder of the power of love to overcome prejudice and discrimination. For an in-depth annotation of Loving v. Virginia, visit https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/388/1/ 

6/14 The Hajj begins

The Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The Hajj takes place during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah, which translates to Possessor of the Pilgrimage or the Month of the Pilgrimage. Each year, millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj, fulfilling a religious obligation that is considered one of the most significant experiences in a Muslim’s life. The pilgrimage retraces the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad and the traditions of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). Rituals of the Hajj include Ihram, wearing simple white garments to symbolize equality, and refraining from certain behaviors. During Tawaf, pilgrims circle the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure considered the holiest site in Islam. After Tawaf, pilgrims perform Sa’I, which involves walking seven times between the hills of Safa and Marwa. On the 9^th day, pilgrims gather at the plain of Arafat, where they engage in prayers. It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad delivered his farewell sermon at Arafat. Additional celebrations include the Stoning of the Devil, Eid al-Adha, and Halq/Taqsir. For more information about the Hajj, visit https://irusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Hajj-Guide-IRUSA.pdf

6/16 Eid al-Adha

Known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is a significant holiday in Islam. Eid al-Adha is celebrated at the end of Al-Hajj (the Hajj) and lasts for three days. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Ibrahim could carry out the sacrifice, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead. During Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate this event by sacrificing an animal, typically a sheep, goat, or cow, and distributing its meat among family, friends, and those in need. Beyond ritual sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is a time for prayer, reflection, and compassion, especially for those who are less fortunate. For more information, visit https://www.muslimaid.org/media-centre/blog/what-is-eid-ul-adha/

6/20 World Refugee Day

Observed annually on June 20^th, World Refugee Day is a United Nations observance that honors the courage, resilience, and strength of refugees around the world. The day helps to raise awareness about the plight of refugees and forcibly displaced people, including their struggles and contributions. It also serves as an opportunity to advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees, as well as to create support and solutions to address their problems and needs. During World Refugee Day, various organizations, governments, and communities organize events, campaigns, and initiatives to show solidarity with refugees, providing protection and opportunities for them to rebuild their lives. For additional information, visit https://www.unhcr.org/us/world-refugee-day

6/19 Juneteenth

Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, more commonly called Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is observed annually on June 19^th and marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced General Order No. 3, which declared that all enslaved people in Texas were free. This announcement came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War. Despite the Emancipation Proclamation, which legally freed enslaved people in Confederate states, many slaves in remote areas remained unaware of their freedom until Union troops arrived to enforce it. Juneteenth celebrations generally include community gatherings, parades, music, food, and reflection on the significance of freedom and struggles endured by African Americans, as well as the ongoing fight for racial equality and justice. For more information, visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth

Your DEIA Commitee Members:

Shakema Appleton

Lisa Moore