Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, accomplishments and history of Latin Americans.  The celebration starts on September 15th and ends on October 15th.  The overlapping of the two months is significant because it includes several independence days for Latin countries.  What began as a week-long celebration under President Johnson in 1968 became a month-long recognition of Hispanic Heritage under President Reagan in 1988.

Latin American history predates the founding of the United States yet there is still progress to be made in teaching that history in schools.  Latin Americans make up almost a quarter of the population and is the largest ethnic or racial group in the country.  From food to music, entrepreneurship to entertainment, Latin culture is intertwined with American culture.  There is so much to acknowledge when it comes to contributions made by Latinos and Latinas.

Source: Hispanic Heritage Month | National Museum of the American Latino (si.edu)

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the University is hosting a number of events to celebrate. Explore event details to learn more:

• 9/17: “Mexico, Slavery, Freedom” books signing with Pablo Sierra
• 9/19: Latino Health at URMC panel
• 9/26: Immigration health panel
• 10/3: Latino Investigators at URMC
• 10/4: George Walker Center Recital Series: Hispanic Heritage Recital
• 10/9: Culinary Traditions: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
• 10/9: FIESTA at URMC
• 10/10: Speaking of Language: Latino Physician Shortage panel
• 10/6: Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day at the Memorial Art Gallery

To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month check out:

8 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month – Boys & Girls Clubs of America (bgca.org)

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH (nationaltoday.com)

Hispanic Heritage Month | PBS

Hispanic Heritage Month Resources | National Museum of the American Latino (si.edu)

Books, Podcasts, Movies:

Books to Read for Latine & Hispanic Heritage Month | Penguin Random House

The Best New Latinx Books for Hispanic Heritage Month | Washington County Cooperative Library Services | BiblioCommons

Podcasts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month — Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)® (woc-fp.com)

Hispanic Heritage Month : NPR

10 Films To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month | A.frame (oscars.org)

10 Family Movies to Watch During Hispanic Heritage Month | Macaroni KID Erie

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LGBTQ+ Pride is celebrated every year in June as way to recognize people of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning communities.  Pride month calls for more visibility, equity and support while also recognizing the contributions and hard-won progress for those who identify as LGBTQ+.

We celebrate Pride Month in June because of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City.  The Stonewall Inn, a popular bar welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community was raided by police on June 28, 1969.  The patrons protested and rioted for days, now known as the Stonewall Uprising.  On the one-year anniversary of the uprising, thousands gathered in celebration for the first Gay Pride event. In 1999 President Bill Clinton officially declared June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.

The rainbow flag is the symbol for Pride Month, created by activist Gilbert Baker.   Life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity, and spirit are represented in each color of the rainbow, each a key aspect of the LBGTQ+ movement.  As time goes on, more colors have been added to the flag to recognize historically underrepresented communities including people of color and transgender individuals.

To learn more about Pride Month and the LGBTQ+ community check out:

Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month | Smithsonian Institution (si.edu)

Celebrate Pride With Us: Without Exception! – Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org)

NewFest Announces Lineup for 4th Annual “NewFest Pride” Summer Film Event | GLAAD

Pride in Action – Pride Blogs, Guides, & Partnerships (thetrevorproject.org)

Understanding Gay & Lesbian Identities: FAQs & Resources (thetrevorproject.org)

Books, Podcasts and Movies:

LGBTQIA+ Book Lists for Pride Month | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

The Ultimate LGBTQ+ Pride Book List | Penguin Random House

The Best LGBTQIA+ Podcasts for Pride Month and Beyond | Audible.com

16 LGBTQ Movies to Watch This Pride Month | TIME

Pride Month Movie Guide: 30 Films By, For and About the LGBTQ+ Community | A.frame (oscars.org)

Pride Month | PBS

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Caribbean American Heritage Month is celebrated every June as a way to recognize the diverse, rich culture and contributions of the Caribbean people here in the United States.  In 2006 President George W. Bush made June the official month of the celebration.

Caribbean culture has influenced the United States in a multitude of ways including food, music, literature and more.  Many prominent figures in our nation’s history have origins in the Caribbean Islands such as Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of Treasury and Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month, we can acknowledge the shared history between our nations and appreciate all the ways Caribbean culture has enhanced our ways of life.

To learn more about Caribbean American Heritage Month check out:

Caribbean American Heritage Month (caribbeanamericanmonth.com)

Caribbean American Heritage Month | National Archives

Official History of Caribbean American Heritage Month (icsdc.org)

Books, Podcasts and Movies:

15 Books to Read for Caribbean American Heritage Month – B&N Reads (barnesandnoble.com)

June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month! (USA) (176 books) (goodreads.com)

10 Podcasts Hosted By Caribbean American Podcasters | Caribbean Heritage Magazine (CHM)

5 Best Caribbean History Podcasts in 2024 (feedspot.com)

Sundance’s Glance at the Caribbean: Five Films Exploring Adversity and Serenity – sundance.org

The Best Caribbean Movies Selected by Caribbean People – West Indian Diplomacy ®

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University of Rochester and University of Rochester Medical Center employees and students can claim up to 4 free tickets to the annual Rochester Red Wings Salute to the Negro Leagues Night at Innovative Field on June 14. The annual game celebrates the Negro Leagues contribution to major league baseball history.

Students and employees can pick up their tickets at the Office of Equity and Inclusion at the Medical Center (1.4444) and at Wallis Hall on River Campus (Suite 147) between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis.

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AAPI heritage month was first recognized on a federal level in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation—first introduced to Congress by Representative Frank Horton of Rochester, New York—which established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week to take place in early May. The week-long celebration was extended to last for the entire month of May in 1990. Later, in 1992, Congress passed a law that officially designated an annual celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.

Learn more about AAPI Heritage Month at https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov

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Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month and offers an opportunity to enjoy the rich culture, distinctive art, delicious food and to learn the traditions of Haiti and its people. The celebration is an expansion of the Haitian Flag Day on May 18th, a major patriotic day celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora. An interesting fact about Haitian Heritage month is that it was first celebrated in Boston, Massachusetts in 1998!

Haiti gained its independence from French colonizers in 1804 and was the first Black republic in the world to free itself from colonial rule. Haitian culture is a mix of Taino and African traditions blended with European elements, due to French colonization. Today, the Haitian community exhibits these nuances of their history through their art, literature, costumes, faith, and life.

For more information about Haiti and Haitian culture, check here.

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As we celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month, we want to acknowledge and honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Jewish community. From art to science, literature to business, Jewish individuals have left an indelible mark on our society through resilience, creativity, and wisdom.

As part of Jewish American Heritage Month, we also reaffirm that any form of hatred against Jewish individuals has no place in our society. We must stand together in unequivocal solidarity, fostering a culture of zero tolerance for antisemitism in all its forms. In doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to building a world where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is valued and respected.

(Edited 5/17/24)

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Important Dates

Every year, Muslims fast each day of Ramadan from dawn until dusk, for the duration of the month. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin in the evening on Sunday, March 10, 2024 and end on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The Islamic Calendar follows a lunar cycle, and while these are the calculated expected dates of Ramadan, they can differ from place to place based on moon-sightings or lack thereof. Some Muslims strictly follow calculations, while others strictly follow moon-sightings, and some follow a combination of both. What Muslims choose to follow can depend on their religious convictions, where they have lived in the world, and what their families practice. The day after the end of Ramadan (Wednesday, April 10, 2024) is a religious holiday called Eid-al-Fitr.

Purpose

Ramadan commemorates the month during which Muslims believe the prophet Muhammed was given the first revelations of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, from the angel Gabriel. It’s an extremely important month in the Muslim year.

Observing Ramadan

For each day of Ramadan, fasting consists of abstaining from eating or drinking, including water, while the sun is out. Once the sun has set, Muslims eat dinner, a meal called “iftar” in Arabic. Iftar is generally a community-focused meal, where family members and friends come together for the blessed occasion. Afterwards, eating and drinking during the night is allowed until dawn of the next day.

During Ramadan, it is customary for Muslims to pray extra nightly prayers and participate in other religious practices throughout the day and night, when possible. They will often wake up for or stay up until “suhur”, a pre-dawn meal.

What Are the Rules for Eating and Fasting During Ramadan?

Eating times. Fasting Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal called suhur and a post-sundown meal called iftar. For iftar, dates and water or milk are often consumed before the dinner itself. Everyone is also allowed to snack and hydrate between dusk and dawn. At sunrise, the fasting day begins again.

Fasting exceptions. Only healthy adults are required to fast during Ramadan. Children, the elderly, those mentally or physically incapable of fasting, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and travelers are not expected to fast.

Ramadan Greetings

Wish your Muslim neighbors “Ramadan Mubarak” (Happy Ramadan) or “Ramadan Kareem” (may Ramadan be generous to you). You can also simply say “Happy Ramadan” in English.

More Resources:

How Muslims mark Ramadan, and what makes it a holy month | PBS NewsHour

Why Ramadan is the most sacred month in Islamic culture

American Ramadan (2006)

Film Professor Shares Top Film Picks for Ramadan – UM School of Communication

6 Books About Ramadan and Eid for Young Readers of All Ages | School Library Journal

8 Books that Celebrate Ramadan | Parenting… | PBS KIDS for Parents

Best Ramadan Podcasts (2024)

The Five Pillars of Islam | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Rochester students studying at all levels and across all schools were encouraged to participate in the survey, which assessed:

1. The campus climate around sexual assault and sexual misconduct
2. The frequency and nature of sexual assault and sexual misconduct
3. The frequency and nature of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking
4. What students know and think about resources related to sexual assault and sexual misconduct

At the conclusion of the survey, Westat compiled and organized the data for our campus. The University’s survey report and appendices prepared by Westat are posted on the University’s Title IX website.

What do these results mean for University of Rochester students?

The results of the survey help the University understand the prevalence and nature of students’ experiences with sexual and relationship violence, harassment, and other sexual misconduct, as well as students’ knowledge and opinion of the Title IX resources available to them.

The survey results are used to inform University leadership and officials of the greatest areas of need to direct resources and prevention efforts.  Specifically, we will use the information in the survey report to assess the effectiveness of our training and other ongoing education programs to ensure that all community members feel well-informed about how to recognize, report, and prevent sexual harassment in University spaces and places.

Finally, the survey results will help us understand what communication strategies can be improved so that students, faculty, and staff know where to find and how to access the relevant policies, processes, and resources.

We are grateful to all undergraduate and graduate students who participated.

For specific questions about Rochester’s 2023 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct, please contact titleix@rochester.edu.

How to support the Title IX Office

If you are interested in supporting the Title IX Office’s work:

• Go to the Title IX Office’s CCU webpage to learn about upcoming events!
• Register to take the Medallion course for the BADASS (Being Aware, Deciding to Act, and Saying Something) Bystander program, in which students learn skills to be active and empowered bystanders who can take action to interrupt harm to others.
• We are seeking faculty and staff to support UR community members as trained advisors and support persons within the University’s Title IX and Student Sexual Misconduct processes. If you are interested in supporting UR community members in this way, please contact titleix@rochester.edu for more information.

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