Ethnic Observances \"Recognize the Contributions

Ethnic observances "recognize the contributions and achievements of all Americans to the American Culture and to increase awareness, mutual respect, and understanding," (U.S. Army IMCOM). The observances are part of the military's equal opportunity policy, and correspond with similar efforts to create a more egalitarian environment within the Department of Defense. Although the nine ethnic observances may seem to have little impact on improving actual measures of equality and equal opportunity, they do coincide with similar efforts to encourage multiethnic interactions and promote equality. The nine observances currently celebrated by Department of Defense sectors include Martin Luther King, Jr. day in January, African-American History month in February, Women's History month in March, Holocaust Remembrance Day/Days of Remembrance in April, Asian-Pacific American heritage month in May, Women's Equality Day in August, Hispanic Heritage month from September to October, National Disability Employment Awareness, and National American Indian Heritage month in November.

Most of the ethnic observances embraced by the Department of Defense are celebrated nationwide. Art museums, schools, and community centers should also bear witness to these ethnic observances. Military personnel will find that the ethnic observances do not occur in a vacuum, but have become integral to community life in the United States. America's multicultural environment encourages opportunities to learn about different cultures and people from different backgrounds. The ethnic observances are formal ways of introducing people to different attitudes, beliefs, and worldviews. Moreover, many of the ethnic observances require some knowledge of historical context. For example, the Holocaust Remembrance Day should be especially important for military personnel given the integral role that the United States played in ending World War II.

Ethnic observances do not always celebrate cultural diversity but also gender diversity. Women's history month calls attention to the contributions of women to military life in the United States. Similarly, National Disability Employment Awareness reminds all personnel that a person's disability does not define them, any more than a person's gender or ethnicity does. Women's History month, African-American History Month, and National Disability Employment Awareness remind military personnel about how some members of society had been systematically excluded and discriminated against until fairly recently. The observances ensure that discrimination is no longer tolerated in any place of employment.

The ethnic observances create an attitude of inclusion and acceptance, which is important for organizational culture. Cohesion in the military is especially important, which is why observing ethnic, cultural, gender, and other differences is important for the Department of Defense.