DEI December Awareness Events

Embody a culturally and spiritually diverse community (approach, acknowledgement and celebration).

We can continue to live the love by embracing and celebrating the month of December. December is a month full of important awareness events and fascinating history. The month reminds us to be aware of very important topics and its historical status is incredible as well.

We have a greater appreciation for diversity. A peaceful and prosperous society depends upon diversity and inclusion. Below you can find small samplings of our December diversity events.

RECOGNITION

  • December 1 – World AIDS Day. This day highlights the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness and raises money for its cure.
  • December 2– International Day for the Abolishment of Slavery
  • December 3-24– Advent Christians
  • December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This United Nations holiday raises awareness for the rights of individuals with disabilities.
  • December 8– Feast of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic
  • December 8– Bodhi Day – Buddhist
  • December 10 – International Humans Rights Day. A holiday adopted by the UN in 1948 following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • December 12– Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast Day) Christian
  • December 15– Bill of Rights Day. The first amendments to the Constitution were ratified on
  • December 15, 1791.
  • December 16 to December 24– Las Posadas. A religious festival celebrated in Mexico and parts of the U.S. during the Christmas season.
  • December7 to December15– Hanukkah. A Jewish holiday celebrating Jews rising up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.
  • December 22–Winter Solstice/Yule. A festival celebrated by Pagan and Wiccan faiths.
  • December 25– Christmas. A Christian holiday marking the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
  • December26 to January1. Kwanzaa. A 7-day non-religious holiday often celebrated by Black Americans that was inspired by African harvest celebrations.
  • December 28-29– Outdoor Equity Alliance – Kwanzaa Celebration
  • December 29 – Wounded Knee Day. The slaughter of approximately 150–300 Lakota Indians by United States Army troops in the area of Wounded Knee Creek in southwestern South Dakota.
  • December 31– New Year’s Eve. The last day of the year for festivities.

EDUCATION

December is the Universal Month for Human Rights; Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All – the 2023 theme.

Watch the PBS Channel and/or the History Channel.

Visit your local library. Most local libraries offer free one-day passes:

  • Pennsylvania
    National Constitution Center, The Liberty Bell or The Philadelphia Museum of Art.
  • NewYork
    NYC Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting or The Jewish Museum in Harlem. NYC AIDs Memorial Grounds.
  • New Jersey
    The Empty Sky Memorial, The Johnson House or The Battleship New Jersey.
    Grounds for Sculpture – Outdoor Equity Alliance; Kwanzaa Celebration. Jersey Family Fun

CELEBRATION

Attend an event which includes your family traditions, as well as learning of other cultures to broaden your horizons. Refer to some of the suggestions listed above.

A local online opportunity includes the West African Drums & Drumming with Maxwell Kofi Donkor on Dec 14 at 6 p.m. This webinar hosts live demonstrations and stories about the origin of African drums and drumming, their use, and symbolism among the African communities of Ghana. Kofi will demonstrate different styles of drumming and comment on the effects of drumming on community building and well-being today. Register online.

ACTION

Do something to make a difference. Donate to a human rights cause. Volunteer at your local food bank or shelter. Try a dessert from a different culture. Visit sites on the internet pertaining to diversity in America.

If you’re interested in joining or participating in our monthly Zoom sessions, contact Max Frable. Monthly sessions are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. Further readings regarding diversity can be found at your local library, the internet or the listings we mentioned under the EDUCATION heading.