South Asian Heritage Month
What is South Asian Heritage Month and how did it come about?
South Asia consists of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan. Taking place between 18th July- 17th August, South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) celebrates the culture, contributions and the community as a whole, with the celebratory month ending on the day of Partition.
This month-long observance not only allows us to honour the historical and contemporary achievements of South Asians but also serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in today's interconnected world. Along with providing learning opportunities for others, the month enables people of South Asian heritage to reclaim their history and identity by sharing their own stories and experiences. This year’s theme is ‘Stories to Tell,’ encouraging individuals to speak about their lived experiences and how these have shaped the person they are today.
Encouraging Diversity
During South Asian Heritage Month, it is essential to embrace the diversity within the South Asian community. South Asians come from a wide range of backgrounds, languages, religions, and traditions. Acknowledging and celebrating this diversity helps us build a more inclusive and understanding society. Recognising and embracing this diversity is crucial for fostering a sense of belonging and empowering individuals to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the forefront.
Creating equity and equal opportunities
Promoting equity means recognising and addressing the historical and systemic barriers faced by certain groups within the South Asian community; and giving them a consistent platform. Some individuals might face challenges due to their caste, religion, or socioeconomic background. We should strive to create a level playing field for all, where opportunities and resources are accessible to everyone, regardless of their identity or background, to ensure that all members of the South Asian community can thrive.
To achieve true equity, we must work together to dismantle systemic barriers and advocate for equitable policies.
Fostering Inclusion
Creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel valued, respected, and heard is essential for building a strong sense of community. As we celebrate SAHM, let's ensure that our workplaces, schools, and communities actively promote inclusivity by providing opportunities for everyone to participate and contribute. Encouraging open dialogue and actively seeking input from individuals with South Asian heritage will help foster a more inclusive environment.
This inclusivity extends beyond the South Asian community itself, as it encourages building bridges of understanding with other communities. By fostering an inclusive atmosphere, we can harness the collective power of diverse perspectives to tackle shared challenges and create innovative solutions.
Understanding and embracing intersectionality
South Asian Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to explore intersectionality within the community. Individuals from South Asian backgrounds may have multiple layers of identity, such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. Recognising these intersections is essential to ensure that each person's unique experiences are acknowledged and validated.
Showing allyship
To foster diversity, equity, and inclusion during South Asian Heritage Month, it is crucial for individuals and organisations to become allies and advocates for the community. Allies can actively listen, learn, and amplify the voices and experiences of South Asians. Solidarity between different communities is also essential, as it strengthens the bonds between diverse groups and contributes to a more cohesive and harmonious society.
Inspiring awareness, education and training
South Asian Heritage Month presents an ideal opportunity to educate and raise awareness about the South Asian community's history, contributions, and contemporary issues. By engaging in meaningful conversations and sharing knowledge, we can challenge stereotypes, combat misinformation, and promote a deeper understanding of the community's experiences. Your organisation can gain valuable insight into the culture and community by committing to learning new things about it this month such as having a cultural workshop on Diwali or Eid, or exploring the societal contributions made by individuals of SAH throughout history. There are a range of incredible events available on The Sangam Festival Website, that you and your colleagues can attend, both online and in-person. Training is an excellent way to broaden your team’s knowledge while also celebrating the month.
Supporting the South Asian community
During South Asian Heritage Month and beyond, we should actively support and uplift South Asian voices. Amplifying their stories, experiences, and achievements helps to combat stereotypes and increase representation. Ask colleagues of South Asian heritage to share their experiences if they are comfortable with this. Co-ordinate with your communications team and employee network groups to plan events and activities to support this. This could be anything from having a food-tasting afternoon to hosting a book club that focuses on author’s from the SAH community, or you could launch an employee resource group. This allows people to learn more from lived experiences and gives insight into their culture.
South Asian Heritage Month invites us to celebrate, support, and cultivate inclusive spaces for the South Asian community, so that we can make more meaningful strides towards building a more inclusive society.
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