HRDEIC Cultural Holiday Statements
HRDEI Committee Recognizes Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year)
Originally Posted February 2022
Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year) is an important cultural holiday with 3000 years of history and 2 billion observers world-wide. The Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee recognizes Chinese New Year and the significant contributions made to the United States by people of Chinese heritage. Indeed, there are many untold stories of how Chinese immigrants have contributed to the greatness of the American Dream. We pay tribute to the generations of Chinese-Americans who have enriched our history and are instrumental to the past, present and future of Wayland.
HRDEI Committee celebrates February as Black History Month
Originally Posted February 2022
We honor the generations of Black Americans who have enriched American life in science and medicine, literature and the arts, economics and finance, government, business and beyond. We honor Black Americans who have courageously advocated for equal rights, bringing the country closer to its foundational ideals of justice, equality and freedom for all. We honor Black Americans in military service who have fought wars for freedom around the world while experiencing barriers to their own freedom at home. We acknowledge that centuries of racial injustice, discrimination and violence against Black Americans persist to this day as an ongoing human rights crisis. This month, and every month, we are proud to honor Black lives and to reaffirm the HRDEIC’s commitment to uphold the rights of all people to enjoy the free and equal exercise of their human rights and privileges in Wayland
HRDEI Committee celebrates March as Women’s History Month
Originally Posted March 2022
We honor the women who have ascended to previously unimaginable levels of leadership in public life, including but not limited to CEOs, college presidents, executive directors, union leaders, religious leaders, school superintendents, members of Congress and other elected leaders, members of the Supreme Court and the Vice Presidency of the United States. At the same time, we recognize the countless women artists, scientists, educators, entrepreneurs and political figures who have been lost to history because they were locked out of higher education and the many fields that were open only to men. Today’s women leaders stand on the shoulders of women who have led social movements for equality and justice throughout American history, including the 19th century women’s rights activist, abolitionist and Native American rights activist, Lydia Maria Child of Wayland. While much progress has been made, the fight for equal rights for women is far from finished. We pay tribute to all the women - past, present and future – who fought and will continue to fight for the right of every woman to fulfill her full potential.
HRDEI Committee celebrates May as Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month
Originally Posted May 2022
The Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (HRDEIC) is proud to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islanders Month. We honor the contributions, achievements, and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) who have shaped the culture and history of the United States starting from the Polynesians who immigrated to Hawaii around 400 AD; to the Filipino Luzon Indios who landed in California in 1587, 33 years before the Pilgrims; and the East Asians who migrated to Hawaii in the 1930s to work as laborers. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have transformed many aspects of arts and culture; politics, public service and civil rights; business; infrastructure; military and national security; public health, and science and technology in the US.
We recognize the discrimination and injustices perpetuated against the Asian community, ranging from the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad; to the creation of Japanese Internment Camps in World War II; the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and other Acts; the many expulsions, attacks, and riots; and the continuation of discrimination and aggression against AAPI persons. From the start of the pandemic till December 2021, 10,905 hate incidents against AAPI persons were reported to Stop AAPI Hate. The AAPI community continues to face challenges with non-violence and courage.
Wayland HRDEI Committee Recognizes September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month
Originally Posted September 2021
The Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed nationally each year from September 15 to October 15. The day of September 15 is significant because it is Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate Independence Day on September 16 and September 18, respectively. The HRDEI Committee honors the histories, cultures, achievements and contributions of Latinx people in our town, state and country. We join Wayland in celebrating our community’s diversity.
HRDEI Committee Recognizes Indigenous People's Day the Second Monday of October
Originally Posted October 2021
The Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (HRDEI) Committee recognizes Indigenous People's Day, observed the second Monday of October. The Wayland School Committee has recognized Indigenous People's Day as an official holiday for the Wayland Public Schools. We join the Wayland Public Schools in celebrating the diversity of our town, state and nation.
HRDEI Committee Acknowledges October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Originally Posted October 2021
The Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee acknowledges October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a time to recognize survivors and amplify their voices. Domestic violence is prevalent in our society and no town is immune from its reach, including ours. Although domestic violence is often thought of as physical abuse, it actually includes various forms of coercive control designed to secure and expand perpetrators’ privilege by depriving victims of their basic human rights and liberties and establishing a regime of domination. Domestic violence is therefore part of a much larger pattern of dominance that has devastating implications on individuals, families, institutions and communities as a whole.
HRDEI Committee Acknowledges November as Native American Heritage Month
Originally Posted November 2021
November is Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of Native American and Indigenous people and to celebrate their rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices, hardships and struggles faced by these communities throughout history and in the present day. The Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee believes in universal human rights for all people, including Native American and Indigenous people, and we honor and recognize our nation’s Native American and Indigenous ancestors, communities and histories.