WithinReach's DEI Newsletter: May 2022 | |
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Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month
This month, WithinReach is celebrating Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
This is a time for all of us to listen, learn about, celebrate and support Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander/Pasifika communities and their contributions. It is also a time for AANPHI communities to celebrate, grieve, learn and fight towards collective liberation by standing in solidarity with other Black and brown communities.
The term Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) encompasses the whole continent of Asia and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. We acknowledge that the term AAPI is vague and does not accurately reflect the unique histories, experiences, or cultures of each community. It is important to remember that people who are grouped into this AAPI umbrella are not a monolithic group, and when advocating for these communities we must acknowledge both the different privileges and barriers that each community faces.
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Recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month | |
Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews' achievements and contributions in the U.S. May was chosen as the month of JAHM to commemorate the 350th Anniversary Celebration of Jews in America, marked by their arrival in New Amsterdam. | |
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Resources and Support for Abortions | |
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In recent news, we've been hearing difficult conversations about severely limiting safe access to abortions and reproductive health services—not only for cisgender women, but also transgender men, nonbinary folks and gender queer people assigned female at birth. This is a reminder that abortion is an issue for all people capable of pregnancy.
This news comes after a majority of Supreme Court Justices were prepared to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide in the U.S. We understand that this time might be challenging, scary or despairing for a lot of folks, so we hope to share some resources to learn more, act or cope during this situation:
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How the reversal of Roe v. Wade could impact the transgender community | "We have to recognize that this decision will impact trans folks," she said. "Particularly trans men and nonbinary folks who need access to reproductive healthcare and abortion specifically." | | | |
Transgender People Tell Their Abortion Stories in "Trans Bodies, Trans Choices" | |
Content Warning: Mentions of sexual assault and suicidal ideation
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Reproductive Justice: A Reading List - Black Women Radicals | This reading list offers a brief primer on Reproductive Justice and includes articles, essays, reports, interviews, videos, and more that pertain to Reproductive Justice, rights, and access. | | | |
How Can You Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month Locally? | |
Support and buy from AAPI vendors at the Rain Or Shine Community Market (May 15)
Follow and get involved in the Chinatown-International District (CID) Coalition
Visit and Explore The Wing Luke Museum and Seattle’s Chinatown-International District
Attend In-Person and Virtual Events that center AANHPI voices:
Donate to, volunteer and learn more about local organizations serving AANHPI communities:
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What Else Is Happening This Month? | | |
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International Worker's Day: May 1 | “Reclaiming the history of May Day requires us to understand the initial confrontations against the police that birthed this significant day, when it was clear that the police were the primary instrument of state and class violence.” Read more from South Seattle Emerald. | | |
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Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually celebrated on Sept. 16. when Miguel Hidalgo called upon the Mexican people to revolt against Spanish rule.
Learn More
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Mental Health Awareness Month: May 1 - 31 | |
This year's theme is “Together for Mental Health.” This month is a time to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families.
Learn More
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Haitian Heritage Month: May 1 - 31 | |
Haitian Heritage Month is an expansion of the annual Haitian Flag Day, which falls on May 18. It is a great time to celebrate the vibrant culture, distinct art, cuisine, and to get to know people of Haitian origin.
Learn More
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Team Updates | |
May Affinity Groups and Prep Work |
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Thank you to our staff for showing up to our first affinity groups, last month, and to our facilitators for holding these spaces! In preparation for our upcoming May affinity groups, please feel free to review the activity and watch the Power and Privilege workshop recording (if you couldn’t view it last month). Please see email from Kai Horton for more information.
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May Affinity Group Activity (Helpful tip: Please watch the video on intersectionality ahead of your session, we will also watch it together during the sessions)
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Recorded Internal Workshop: Power and Privilege
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Would you like to volunteer to share? During this month’s groups, we will invite 1-2 community members to share deeper introductions about themselves. Email or connect with DEI Team if you’re interested!
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Mark your calendars for the upcoming May affinity groups:
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BIPOC: 5/11 from 9:30 – 11 am
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LGBTQIA+: 5/18 from 9:30 – 11 am
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White-bodied: 5/25 from 9:30 – 11 am
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As a reminder: Please only attend the groups in which you hold that specific identity. You may hold more than one of these identities, we will be doing the same activity in each session so feel free to join just one session or multiple if you would like to do the activities with different aspects of your identity in mind more than once.
Do you have any DEI-related/DEI Newsletter feedback, resources or ideas? Email us at DEI@withinreachwa.org!
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WithinReach would like to acknowledge that we occupy the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, in particular the Tulalip, Snohomish, Stillaguamish, Suquamish and Sauk-Suiattle Tribes and the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People, past, present and future, and honor with gratitude the land itself. We see you, respect your right to sovereignty and self-determination, and are committed to being better listeners, learners and in lifting Indigenous voices. | | | | | |
