Messages From ODEI Staff
Greetings Everyone,
We are excited to launch a Diaspora Literacy series [pdf]. My use of “literacy in this context connotes being familiar (literate) with respective knowledge bases. The goal is to begin to feature literacies (e.g., knowledge bases; epistemologies; ontologies) which have been understudied in Colleges of Education programs, here at USC and in universities across the U.S. We will begin by centering five Diaspora literacies:
- African Diaspora Literacy
- Asian Diaspora Literacy
- Indigenous Diaspora Literacy
- Jewish Diaspora Literacy
- Latinx Diaspora Literacy
I am hyped that we will hear from faculty members in the COE. Please share with students, faculty, and staff across campus who may be interested, as well as, P-12 educators. We hope to see you there (schedule below).
As we collectively continue to deepen our awareness and understandings of diversity, equity, and inclusion, we can also think together about how these knowledge bases are included in our respective programs of study. Stay tuned on the horizon for seminars on White allies, disCrit, and LBGTQIA+. Ideas are welcomed.
A few holidays in October:
- October 2 – International Day of Nonviolence
- October 5 – Yom Kippur (Jewish) (begins sundown October 4)
- October 9 – Sukkot begins (Jewish)
- October 10 – World Mental Health Day
- October 11 – National Coming Out Day (LGBTQIAA+)
- October 11 – National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States)
- October 15 – White Cane Safety Day (Blind awareness)
- October 15—National Hispanic Heritage Month ends
- October 17 – Spirit Day (LGBTQIAA+ anti-bullying)
- October 20 – Sikh Holy Day (birth of Guru Granth)
- October 24 – Diwali (Hindu)
- October 25 – Birth of the Bab (Baha’i)
- October 25 – Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
- October 31 – Dia de los Muertos begins
Finally, I share two resources:
1. GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for
all students. GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept
all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
2. Safe Zone Program; USC Office of Multicultural Affairs. Over 700+ USC community members have been trained to support the LGBTQ+ population.
Stay well!
Gloria
The Apple Core Initiative scholars have had monthly community gatherings where we
have begun our book study of “This book is Anti-racist,” and will continue to participate
in follow-up reflection activities.
Our senior scholars are currently completing their fall internship experiences.
-Preston
Happy Fall ‘yall! Please continue to send future submissions to my email joanmh@mailbox.sc.edu by the third Friday of each month.
-Joan
Announcing the Centering Diaspora Literacy Symposium!
This is a monthly symposia open to faculty, staff, and students that will feature scholarship and insight on African, Asian, Indigenous, Jewish, and Latinx Literacies.
For more information about each session and to register, visit our Eventbrite!
Notes from Meir Muller on Jewish Holidays...
As far as Jewish holidays there a couple but the main one is Yom Kippur:
The evening of October 4th and day of October 5th is the Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. This holy day is the most solemn on the Jewish Calendar. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to effect individual and collective refinement by the practice of forgiveness of the wrong doings of others and by sincere repentance for one’s own wrongdoings. Students who follow the traditions of the holiday should be excused from class without penalty. Yom Kippur is marked by abstention from food and drink for the 25-hour period.