Hispanic Heritage Month Insight
With Saturday marking the end of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) Arthur Soto, research coordinator, Houston Methodist Concussion Center, Eddy Scurlock Stroke Center, discusses what the month means to him.
“Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating the accomplishments of those who came before us while facing constant adversity and being aware of the struggles and challenges we have faced and will continue to face. It means supporting and uplifting each other and embracing your culture and identity no matter your last name, how much melanin your skin has, what Latin language you speak or don’t speak, and what accent you have.
“It reminds me of how much my parents had to sacrifice for my sisters and I to have the opportunities to thrive. Every one of us has a voice and we must challenge our ourselves and those around us when we fall short of doing our best. Understanding and living Hispanic Heritage Month means choosing to keep moving forward whenever given the choice not to. ¡Seguimos adelante! Siempre!”
Bullying Prevention Discussion
In recognition of October’s designation as National Bullying Prevention month, the Moms of Methodist employee resource group (ERG) is partnering with Dr. Marianne Carlson, a clinical psychologist in the Houston Methodist Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, to present the virtual (Zoom) Bullying Prevention Discussion on Wednesday, October 19 from noon to 1 p.m.
Studies indicate that bullying is at an all-time high in our schools and throughout society, with an estimated 1 in 4 kids reporting they have been victims of bullying.
Carlson will explore the holistic and emotional impact of bullying and ways parents and the community can work together to create a culture of prevention and resiliency. For more information, contact Momsofmethodist@houstonmethodist.org.
Did You Know?
The festival of Sukkot (October 9-16) is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur (Oct. 5-6). It commemorates the journey of the Israelites from Egypt and celebrates the gathering of the harvest, after having reached the Promised Land. Traditionally, Sukkot is observed by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah, which recalls both the temporary dwellings during the journey and the harvest huts) and by taking the “Four Kinds” (arba minim), four special species of vegetation—palm branch, willow, myrtle and etrog (citron).
Indigenous People’s Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October—October 10 this year—is intended to honor the cultures and histories of Native American people. Coinciding with Columbus Day, its origin dates to 1977, when delegates to the United Nations’ International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas sought to honor the rich culture and traditions of indigenous people in America and around the globe and recognize the complicated and painful legacy of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus for many indigenous peoples in the Americas.
As of 2022, the holiday is observed or honored by several states, including Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont, Iowa, North Carolina, California, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Virginia, Oregon and Texas. South Dakota celebrates Native Americans’ Day. Hawaii celebrates Discoverers’ Day and Alabama recognizes American Indian Heritage Day.
Indigenous Peoples Day is not a federal holiday, but in 2021, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
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