Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter – Dec 2020
Happy Holidays from the Socius Diversity & Inclusion Committee!
As we wind down a very long and trying 2020, our thoughts are with you and your families during the holiday season!
And just like Socius and our larger communities are diverse, so too are the ways people around the world celebrate, worship and recognize this time of year.
Here are some year-end holidays from around the world – click on the holiday for more information:
December is Universal Human Rights Month
December is a wonderful time to not just celebrate holidays, but also recognize that while we are all different and unique, we have one thing in common – we are all HUMAN! And with all that is going on in the world and in our neighborhoods, there is perhaps no better time than now to observe Universal Human Rights Month. Let us take some time to remember this commonality and promote the equality each of us deserves!
What Are Human Rights?
Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. (source: United Nations)
How It Began And What It Means?
In 1948, the United Nations wrote a document called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The very first article of the Declaration makes its purpose clear. It states:
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and
should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
The rest of the document lists out what these rights are, and further emphasizes the importance of working towards protecting freedom for all. CLICK HERE for more information on the declaration.
Human Rights Aspects to Embody:
- Dignity
- Respect
- Engage
- Understand
- Educate
- Acknowledge
- Do the right thing!
- Lead the Way!
- Find Common Ground
- Communicate
- Listen
- Inclusion
- Diversity
- Cultural Awareness
D&I Committee Member
“Diversity is acknowledging and embracing people’s gender, ethnicity, race, religion, ideologies and all the components of being human that make us different.”
–Hayley Phillips, Committee
Calendar
2020
DECEMBER
- Universal Human Rights Month 2021
JANUARY
- International Holocaust Remembrance
- Poverty in America Awareness Month
FEBRUARY
- Black History Month
MARCH
- National Women’s History Month
APRIL
- Arab American Heritage Month
- Autism Awareness Month
MAY
- Indian Heritage Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- National Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
JUNE
- LGBT Pride Month
- Juneteeth
JULY
- French American Heritage Month
AUGUST
- National Civility Month (or Win With Civility Month)
SEPTEMBER
- Hispanic Heritage Month
Diversity & Inclusion Committee Members
- Rodney Nubin, Chair Socius
- Artavia Clay Socius
- Eric DeRose Socius
- Rick Grimes Professional Risk Solutions
- Patrick Hanley Socius
- Hayley Philips Socius
- Eric Shapiro Socius
- Nichole Ward Socius