Monthly News & Updates

September 2022 | Issue XXXVVVI

“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”

– Dolores Huerta

National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic (refers to a person who is from Spanish speaking countries, including Spain and excluding Brazil) and Latin (refers to person from Latin American countries regardless of if they speak Spanish) Americans. President Lyndon B. Johnson began observing Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and President Ronald Reagan expanded it into a 30-day celebration in 1988.

The theme for 2022 is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” It reinforces the need to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are welcomed in decision-making processes.

Did you know? The earliest recorded Hispanic presence in D.C. is 1785? Pedro (Peter) Pablo Casanave, a Spanish merchant, served as the fifth mayor of Georgetown. Casanave was also a Master Mason and is remembered for presiding over the ceremonial laying of the White House cornerstone on October 12, 1792.

Interested in learning more about Hispanic/ Latino history in the District? Visit the Smithsonian’s Latino DC History Project.

Director's Note

Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends:

There are many things to celebrate in September: the first day of Fall, the return to school and return of fall sports, the countdown to Halloween, and the holiday season. September is also the monthly observance of African Heritage Month and the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th-October 15^th). These observances highlight and honor the contributions each group as made throughout history. The District is home to many diverse cultures from around the world, which is a great reminder to take the time to learn about these cultures but to honor and celebrate them respectfully.

Here at OHR, we are renewing our effort to interrupt prejudice and end discrimination through proactive education. While we are not quite ready to share all of the amazing things we’ve been working on in FY 2022, we’d like to encourage everyone to engage in deeper conversations about what inclusion and equity can look like in the workplace and in our communities. These conversations can be a powerful first step in acknowledging words and behaviors that can lead to prejudice and discrimination against historically marginalized groups.

For example, Dia de Los Muertos (October 31^st-November 2^nd) is Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drinks, and celebration. Two of the most recognizable symbols are calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls), which are often used in Halloween decorations. It is not an alternative to Halloween, nor should traditional clothing or symbols be used as costumes.

We can honor and observe National Hispanic Heritage Month respectfully by learning about the many varied Hispanic and Latino/a cultures through visits to the National Museum of the American Latino; the Fondo del Sol Visual Arts Center; or the Art Museum of the Americas. You can join NOVA BOSSA as they team up with the Embassy of Guatemala and La Cosecha to host a one-day cultural festival to celebrate Guatemala’s 200^th independence anniversary. Spending time inside? (Re)watch Selena; Encanto; Coco; Someone Great; Southwest of Salem; or In the Time of the Butterflies.

I leave you with the words of Dolores Huerta, “We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just acquire things. This is what are put on the earth for.”

In celebration,

Hnin Khaing

Interim Director

Protected Tait of the Month:

Age

The D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977 prohibits discrimination against someone who is 18 or older in the housing, employment, public accommodations and government services, and educational institutions.

Did You Know? Ageism is form a systemic oppression that involves prejudice or discrimination against someone based on their age. Most often it applies to older people, but it can also affect younger adults. It can have a negative impact on a person’s physical and mental health. Here are some common examples of ageism:

Anti-aging products and services
Telling a woman’s she’s too old to wear certain styles or outfits
Describing minor forgetfulness as a “senior moment”
Using patronizing language such as (sweetie, dear, honey, etc.)
Using terms like geezer, gramps, little old lady, etc.
Directing comments about an older person to a younger companion or child of the older person
Lying about your age for fear of negative perceptions

What's New and Upcoming

Human Rights Liaison Training 2.o Overview

Thursday, September 29, 2022

10 am - 2 p.m.

The Office of Human Rights (OHR) is excited to invite you and your organization to our Human Rights Liaison (HRL) Training Program 2.0!

The purpose of this training program is to prepare liaisons to 1) identify discrimination and 2) assist/support complainants in filing a complaint with the appropriate agency. This virtual 4-hour training will focus on four main components:

Increasing Understanding, in which we will cover a brief history of human rights and D.C.’s role in the struggle;
Reducing Prejudice, in which we will dive into identifying discrimination and providing reasonable accommodations;
Ending Discrimination, in which we will examine what happens after discrimination occurs and the proper channels to file a complaint; and
The Role of a Human Rights Liaison.

If you require a reasonable accommodation or language assistance (non-English language interpretation) please contact us by email at mia.carey@dc.gov

For questions about the training, contact Dr. Mia Carey via email at mia.carey@dc.gov.

*NEW* Right to Nurse Workplace Poster

A collaborative effort between the D.C. Office of Human Rights, D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES), and the District of Columbia Breastfeeding Coalition

The Mayor's Office of Racial Equity

Meaningful Community Engagement Resource Guide

(Click image to access guide)

The Meaningful Community Engagement Resource Guide was designed to support the delivery of meaningful community engagement, which is a key step towards embedding a racial equity lens in government, by centering the voices of communities of color who are directly impacted in the design, delivery, and implementation of policies, programs, budgets, and initiatives. The guide was developed with input and feedback from Washington, DC community-based organizations (CBOs) led by Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) residents, and aims to encourage meaningful community engagement practices that actively and intentionally inform and involve District residents and communities in the policy and program decisions which most impact their lives.

Events and Observances

Monthly

Alopecia Areata Awareness
Intergeneration Month
National Recovery Month
National Library Card Sign Up Month
National Pain Awareness Month
National Self-Care Awareness Month
National Suicide Awareness Month

Weekly

1-7, National Assisted Living Week
5-9, National Suicide Prevention Week
19-23, National Historically Black Colleges & Universities Week
26-30, International Week of the Deaf

Daily

11, Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance
16, National Working Parents Day, POW/MIA Recognition Day
17, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
18, National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day
20, National Voter Registration Day
22, National Centenarian's Day, Autumnal Equinox
23, Celebrate Bisexuality Day, National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov

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