10.01.22 – October Recognitions

It is officially the fall and pumpkin spice season. Whether up in the air or down on the ground, I hope we all get the chance to see the leaves changing colors, which begins first in the northern most parts of the USA and moves its way south. Here is an interactive map to show the areas of the country where the leaves are at their peak.

October is also Global Diversity Awareness Month. This is what we do every day, as it has become a part of our lives. Whether working on a flight, grabbing a coffee, getting lunch, listening to music, or wherever we go, we recognize and celebrate our diversity. Our country is built from all our rich cultures and diversity is gained by each of our unique heritage, strengths, and talents.

We all come from all over the globe, some arrived in America in this generation while others came in generations past, therefore October is a time to celebrate Filipino-American History Month, German-American Heritage Month, Italian-American Heritage Month, and Polish-American Heritage Month. Over 40 million Americans identify as having German ancestry. Almost 30 million identify as of Italian descent, over 9 million identify as polish, and over 4 million are of Filipino decent. Whether it be at an Oktoberfest, Polish festival, Filipino or an Italian celebration, our communities and our country is a place where culture is valued.

October 2 is International Day of Non-violence, which is on the birthday of Indian leader of the independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi. He inspired the philosophy of non-violence for change in work life, policy, governance, civil rights, and social movements, encouraging and cultivating a culture of standing up to change through persuasion and recognizing the strength in tolerance, understanding, and peace.

Navami of Durga Puja will be on October 4, the ninth day of the known Durga Puja festival in India. It reflects their Hindu religion, customs, and the traditions where Goddess Durga is recognized for bringing prosperity, tranquility, and world peace. October 4 is also the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, who is the Catholic Patron Saint of animals and the environment.

At sunset on October 7 through October 8 is Milad an-Nabi, the observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, celebrated on the third month in the Islamic calendar. Shi’a Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims.

At sunset October 9 until nightfall October 16 is Sukkot, a week-long Jewish holiday and pilgrimage festival commemorating the Israelites wandering for 40 days in the desert to the Promised Land. Sukkah is the name of the structure farmers would live during harvesting, which in the Book of Exodus is the name of the temporary dwellings they lived in through the 40 years of their travel to escape from slavery in Egypt.

October 10 is Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day. Native American Day celebrates and honors Native American history and culture. Columbus Day is a national holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus being the first to explore the Americas. In 1492 he landed on one of the Bahamian islands and later he banked at Hispaniola (now Haiti and the Dominican Republic), where he established a colony of 39 men. This exploration and colonization of North and South America caused brutality, mass killings, enslavement, famine, and deadly disease to the Indigenous people, thus the day is accepted by many as Indigenous People’s Day.

October 11 is National Coming Out Day and October is National LGBT History Month, encouraging and honoring one’s own truth about being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. On October 11, 1987, 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality, celebrating the lives and contributions of lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender people in the United States.

October 13 is the Navy’s Birthday, one of 6 branches of the military and one of our largest branches of the military, defending our nations waters, and protecting our country at sea. The Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) are special operations of the Navel Special Warfare Command. Although no women have yet made it through the 24-week SEAL training, 20% of our navy are women.

October 24 is United Nations Day and the anniversary of its founding at the end of World War II, in 1945. The intention of the United Nations is to deter war by helping to keep peace between countries. The member countries of The UN also come together to solve global issues, such as famine and aid for people who relocate all over the world because of war, terrorism, poverty, or other reasons that demand an improved life situation. Currently the UN is working with many countries as well as helping organize the safety of Ukrainian migrants, which is now 6.6 million.

Halloween is on Monday, October 31. Halloween became popular in America in the 19th century, with enthusiasm for the holiday being brought across with the Irish and Scottish immigrants who were arriving at the time. The English word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve”, being the evening before the Christian holy days of All Hallows’ Day (All Saints’ Day) on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. By the 1920’s, Halloween parades and parties became a major part of the festivities and Halloween was celebrated all around the country, regardless of race or religious background.

Fly safe, and as always, we welcome your input. Continue to reach out to us with anything we have missed and any topics you feel are important to you.

In Unity,

Chaddrian Calhoun and Rhonda Curtright
APFA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
[email protected]