The Committee to Celebrate Diversity
announces the
2005 - 2006 DIVERSITY THEMES


The goal of this program is to increase understanding and appreciation of the rich diversity represented with the Stony Brook community. The Committee makes one monetary award each month of $500 to the organization that sponsors the event that is most successful in supporting this goal. Please read the guidelines for the awards.

OCTOBER
Hispanic Heritage Month
October is the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a time to provide educational opportunities and recognize the array of cultures that encompass the Latino/a community. Latinos are the fastest growing segment of the United States population. Sharing the rich cultural political and historical perspectives as well as exploring the social and economic impact of Latinos is an imperative to ensure continued success in our learning and working environments. By increasing our awareness, highlighting our commonalities, and promoting understanding we can further appreciate as well as foresee the contributions that Latinos make within the University Community and within our society.
    Program Suggestions:
  • A celebration of Latino “firsts” throughout history
  • The debate over bilingual education
  • Legislation restricting immigration and its impact on Latinos
  • The identity debate: Hispanic vs. Latino/a
  • The significance of various aspects of Latino traditions
  • Latino and Black: An exploration of identity
FEBRUARY
Black History Month
Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the history, culture, contributions, and achievements of people of African descent to the construction of history. This is a time to reflect on the past, and a unique opportunity to come together to collectively work for a harmonious future. This month gives us the opportunity to understand the African Diaspora communities.
    Program Suggestions
    • Multi-ethnicity among African Americans
    • Breaking down ethnic barriers
    • Identity debate: African-American vs. African
    • The Significance of various aspects of Black traditions
    • Spiritual traditions

NOVEMBER
November celebrates Diversity of Lifestyles.
Whether it is interpersonal and cross cultural communications; sexuality and sexual identity; dating, marriage and family; life styles; career, racial and cultural heritage; health and fitness; ability and disability; or military service, each of these aspects of human interaction help shapes us as human beings. Our lives are affected by our relationships and life events, which provides a context broadly inclusive of many dimensions of what it means to be human. Enhancing our awareness of various lifestyles helps to make us more sensitive to those around us.
    Program Suggestions
  • The changing nature of family
  • Perspective on aging in a youth-oriented culture
  • Parenting options for single-sex couples
  • Disability and identity
  • Poverty in the midst of opulence
  • The cult of fitness and beauty
  • Dispelling stereotypes
  • Military Service and veterans awareness
MARCH
Women’s History Month
National Women’s History Month has become a time for recognition and supporting the activities and achievements of women in politics, culture, the art, science and human rights.
This month we celebrate the unique perspective and strengths of women throughout history.
    Program Suggestions
    • Women as participants in the political process
    • Breaking through the glass ceiling
    • Women’s career choices
    • How women's experiences vary along class, race, and cultural lines
    • Varieties of family forms and how they affect women balancing career and family
    • Efforts to reduce political and domestic violence
    • Breast cancer awareness


DECEMBER
Diversity of Religions and Cultures
December highlights the diversity of religions and cultures. During this month, we explore the ways in which different faiths observe religious traditions and law, celebrate life’s milestones, and interpret sacred texts. Through the understanding of differences between our faiths, we are able to see the similarities that unite us.
    Program Suggestions
  • Comparative studies of religious texts
  • Historical perspective of religious events
  • Religious expression
  • Historical perspective of the world’s religions

APRIL
Asian Heritage Month
April celebrates the kaleidoscopic diversity and the vibrancy of Asian cultures. Asians in America share a significant unifying factor: they have struggled for their civil rights and have made America a more democratic place for all. This month honors their struggles, traditions and promotes awareness of Asian American contributions to history and society.
    Program Suggestions
    • Beyond the myth of the “model minority”
    • Participating in the political process
    • Reaffirming family values
    • Validating Asian identities
    • Empowering Asians in the Media

Use the following forms to Submit or Evaluate an event:

The State University of New York at Stony Brook is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.

State University of New York at Stony Brook Designed & Modified 03/07/2006 02:11:40 PM by Melissa Bishop/DoIT