What has dei been working on?
Home for the Holidays – December often presents a conundrum for secular businesses – to decorate or not to decorate? Rather than putting a moratorium on all festive decorations, the DEI committee elected to fully embrace and give everyone a chance to share their respective winter traditions. We invite all employees to bring in a decoration that celebrates your traditions (ornament, menorah, wall hanging, etc.), and fill out the provided tag to explain the tradition’s background. Decorations will be displayed in the Admin building lobby, on the tree or the table beside it, for all to admire. Items will be returned to their owners after New Year’s!
To embrace a spirit of giving, DEI is also sponsoring a “Home for the Holidays” goods and housewares drive. We invite you to donate new or gently used home goods, which will be given to the Peace at Home shelter. Items they currently need include:
www.peaceathomeshelter.org
twin and full-sized sheets
pillows
towels (all sizes)
batteries (AA & AAA)
pots & pans
silverware
cleaning supplies
paper towels
non-perishable food items
baby supplies
Items can be placed on the shelf next to the tree in the admin lobby. Members of the DEI committee will drop off goods before December 24. Thank you for participating in these holiday activities!
dei education corner
Effective communication with NESB (Non-English-Speaking Background) coworkers and patrons
We live and work in an increasingly diverse community. According to the Northwest Arkansas Council, our area is one of the most rapidly changing in terms of demographics. As of 2022, the population is 30% nonwhite, a significant increase from 5% 30 years ago. The expansion of our area is very exciting but presents challenges such as language barriers, and opportunities to overcome those barriers and continue serving our patrons. Here are some common barriers we might encounter and solutions to employ when communicating with someone who has a Non-English-Speaking background:
Social Conventions: An increase in multiculturalism brings with it an array of different appearances, ages, attire, and conventions. For example, the United States has the highest workplace “smile score” in the world – meaning we are culturally conditioned to smile at everyone. A business interaction with a nonsmiling colleague may take us aback, but us grinning our faces off may give them a similar pause! If there is an interaction that brings unease, take time to ask a clarifying question – you will probably learn something new about their culture.
Appearance Assumptions: Don’t assume someone does not speak English just because they look or behave differently. This extends beyond cultural diversity to patrons in need of disability accommodation or older patrons. If someone has an aide or companion, it’s best to address them only after first trying to speak with the primary patron.
Language Barriers: If you are having difficulty communicating with an employee or patron due to a language barrier, try the following:
Slow down your speech: Speaking at a slower rate will help anyone who is less familiar with the language. Oftentimes ESL speakers comprehend well, but a high rate of speech makes it difficult for them to keep up with the conversation. By speaking at an appropriate pace, you’ll make it easier on the ESL speaker you are interacting with and allow them to get more out of the conversation. However, be careful not to speak to someone like they’re dumb. It’s easy to come off as condescending when speaking slowly.
Enunciate clearly and use voice intonation: enunciate clearly so your contact can understand what you’re saying. Pronounce your words fully and remember to pause when needed, such as between sentences or subject matters. Tone of voice can signify various moods and emotions and can help deliver the message you are trying to convey. Use it to your benefit.
Use body language: Body language can make interactions clearer no matter what languages your contacts speak. Hand gestures help give context to your speech and can both prompt and signal different messages. The way you position your head, and your facial expressions can also provide context. Your stance, or posture, can also give off certain vibes. Whether you want to be seen as casual or professional, the appropriate stance can convey your message. How you position your arms can signal your mood – serious, relaxed, not amused, etc. As always, for effective communication, be sure to make eye contact during your interaction.
DECEMBER HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
December 1 - World AIDS Day
December 1 is World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Each World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme, and the 2022 theme is Equalize. UNAIDS is urging each of us to address the inequalities which are holding back progress in ending AIDS. This year’s theme joins a growing list of challenges that World AIDS Day has alerted people to globally. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever international day for global health. Every year, United Nations agencies, governments and civil society join to campaign around specific themes related to HIV.
How to observe:
Get tested – thanks to advances in science and advocacy, testing, prevention, and treatment for HIV/AIDS today is better than ever before. Talk to your doctor about getting tested, to keep you and those around you safe and healthy.
Advocate – Many observe World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, writing to world leaders on the importance of universal healthcare, and attending events.
Donate – there are many worthy causes dedicated to the worldwide eradication of HIV/AIDS, and all of them need funding. Check out https://broadwaycares.org/, amfAR , or AIDS United to find out what these groups are doing to end HIV/AIDS.
December 16 - Day of Reconciliation
In apartheid South Africa, December 16 was known as Day of the Vow, as the Voortrekkers (in preparation for the Battle of Blood River on December 16, 1838 against the Zulus) took a Vow before God that they would build a church and that they and their descendants would observe the day as a day of thanksgiving should they be granted victory. Also, on December 16 in 1961, the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC), was formed. These two significant events in the history of South Africa prompted the government to make it a public holiday. South Africa's first non-racial and democratic government was tasked with promoting reconciliation and national unity. One way in which it aimed to do this symbolically was to acknowledge the significance of the 16 December in both the Afrikaner and liberation struggle traditions and to rename this day as the Day of Reconciliation. On 16 December 1995, the Day of Reconciliation was celebrated as a public holiday in South Africa for the first time.
People observe the Day of Reconciliation by seeing performances throughout South Africa, enjoying public gardens and heritage sites, eating local foods, and remembering Nelson Mandela, one of the first Black lawyers in South Africa, whose activism and imprisonment was instrumental in the ending of Apartheid.
Learn more by visiting: https://www.gov.za/ReconciliationDay2022
December 21 - National Coquito Day
Coquito is the traditional Christmas drink of Puerto Rico. Coquito means "little coconut" in Spanish and is made with Puerto Rican rum, coconut milk, coconut cream and sweetened condensed milk, sometimes flavored with the addition of vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. National Coquito Day was launched in 2018 by Destilería Serrallés, the makers of Don Q (a popular rum in Puerto Rico), to pay homage to the festive beverage. The Puerto Rico-based producers boast a rum-making history dating back to more than 153 years across 6 generations.
Observe National Coquito Day by concocting your own coquito. Here’s a recipe to get you started: Classic Puerto Rican Coquito Recipe
December 26 - Kwanzaa (lasts through January 1)
Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. It is meant to be celebrated by anyone with African heritage, but anyone is welcome to join in celebrations with their family and friends. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are:
Umoja (Unity),
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination),
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility),
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics),
Nia (Purpose),
Kuumba (Creativity), and
Imani (Faith).
Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.
Kwanzaa is observed by:
Creating and displaying Adinkra symbols. Adinkra symbols originated in Ghana with the Akan people. The symbols are used to pass on traditional wisdom. You can see them here: Adinkra Coloring Pages
Lighting the Kinara. A seven-branched candle holder, the Kinara has seven candles to represent each of the seven Kwanzaa principles. One candle is lit for each of the seven days Kwanzaa is celebrated.
Food! Meals play a large part in the celebration of Kwanzaa. Throughout the week, favorite African American dishes, as well as traditional African, Caribbean, and South American recipes, are on many menus. Renowned author and culinary historian Jessica B. Harris shares some suggestions on cooking and celebrating throughout the week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM5eI7NdzlE
INTERESTED IN JOINING DEI?
Have a look at our Vision, Values and Agreements statement. Each member, new and existing, will be required to sign the agreement before their first meeting. The statement outlines expectations for all members of the committee, and guidelines for participation in projects and meetings. You can view the statement here: