The month of May commemorates the resilience and legacy, traditions, and culture of Jewish Americans, Asians, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
OCC encourages employees, students and faculty tolearn more about their impact, importance and historical context, and grow in our understanding of diversity, equity, inclusivity and justice.
“By celebrating heritage and awareness months, we learn about one another, we honor the richness of our diverse community, and we strengthen the support, respect and understanding of each other,” said DEIJ Director Kristina Marshall.
This month we feature an overview and helpful resources about Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month is the annual recognition and celebration of America’s Jewish population proclaimed in 2006 by President George W. Bush. The recognition was passed unanimously following the efforts of Jewish Congress members, who urged President George W. Bush to recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The month of May was chosen to coincide with the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004.
Further Learning
- Jewish American Heritage Month website by the Library of Congress
- Jewish Historical Society of Michigan website
- Michigan Jewish History website by the Jewish Virtual Library Project
Visit
- The Zekelman Holocaust Center, Farmington Hills
- Auschwitz online tour
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a celebration of the people, culture and customs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (often referred to with the acronym “AAPI”). According to the Asian Pacific Institute, this term includes “all people of Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander ancestry, who trace their origins to the countries, states, jurisdictions and/or the diasporic communities of these geographic regions.
Further Learning
- Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month website by the Library of Congress
- Fun Facts about Asian American and Pacific Islander Month by the US Census Bureau
- ASIAN | How You See Me video
Visit
- AAPI Programs at the DIA
- McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. The building, constructed in 1958, was Japanese American architect Minoru Yamasaki's first commission at Wayne State University
For further information, visit DEIJ at OCC.
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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