This document proposes establishing an annual "Acknowledgment Day" on the first Monday of November to recognize and acknowledge minorities who have faced oppression in the United States. It would celebrate diversity and address ongoing issues like returning Native American lands, investing in black communities, citizenship reform, and confronting historical wrongs like Japanese internment camps. The proposal anticipates some religious and hate group pushback but says an apology is needed to fix problems and ensure future change, equality, and inclusion for all Americans. It outlines cultural events and educational activities to promote the goals of the new national observance.
This document proposes establishing an annual "Acknowledgment Day" on the first Monday of November to recognize and acknowledge minorities who have faced oppression in the United States. It would celebrate diversity and address ongoing issues like returning Native American lands, investing in black communities, citizenship reform, and confronting historical wrongs like Japanese internment camps. The proposal anticipates some religious and hate group pushback but says an apology is needed to fix problems and ensure future change, equality, and inclusion for all Americans. It outlines cultural events and educational activities to promote the goals of the new national observance.
This document proposes establishing an annual "Acknowledgment Day" on the first Monday of November to recognize and acknowledge minorities who have faced oppression in the United States. It would celebrate diversity and address ongoing issues like returning Native American lands, investing in black communities, citizenship reform, and confronting historical wrongs like Japanese internment camps. The proposal anticipates some religious and hate group pushback but says an apology is needed to fix problems and ensure future change, equality, and inclusion for all Americans. It outlines cultural events and educational activities to promote the goals of the new national observance.
This day was chosen because of election day. Election day is the first Tuesday following the first Monday every four years, in November. Election day is a day of national pride where people exercise their right to vote. Celebrates and acknowledges all minorities who have been oppressed, including but not limited to: Native-Americans, African-Americans, Latinx, Asian-Americans, and Middle-Eastern identifying people. WHAT WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE? Native Americans: redistributing their land, creating laws and policies to help protect the resources that are vital to their community. Ceremonial rededication of the existing treaties, promising to honor their rights and their land. African-American: Better awareness of African-American leaders in public school curricula. Investing more money in predominately black neighborhoods, a Revitalize the Community Effort. Prison reform also on the agenda. Latinx: Apologizing for construction of wall. Advocate for citizenship reform. It shouldnt be this difficult or expensive to become a citizen. Middle-Eastern: advocating for lessoning the stigma associated with being middle eastern. Advocate for TSA reform, dont single out people based on looks. Lifting bans on flights to Islamic countries. Refugee reform. Asian-Americans: Apologizing for lack of acknowledgment around concentration camps in WW2. Integrate this into education so history doesnt repeat itself. Lastly, for all, we want to reform our nationalist attitude. PUSHBACK
Religious pushback from Christians.
Christians feel oppressed when they are not recognized (ignorant) KKK may reemergence-this day could cause tension between hate groups. Facebook/social media fake news. STATEMENT OF APOLOGY Dear Americans, We gather here today, in allegiance, to apologize for the oppression of all minority groups throughout American history. We recognize that no apology can compensate for the horrific and unjust actions of our ancestors-however, we can cease the continuation of racism and oppression. Our history does not have to haunt us; it can serve as a reminder that we need to stand together to ensure the atrocities the American people have committed do not repeat themselves. We sincerely apologize to our indigenous people for the land that has been infringed upon by the colonials, the stripping of resources, the degradation of lives, separation of families and the unjust laws implemented for the purpose of oppression. Additionally, we would like to apologize for the extraction of lives from their homelands, to utilize for economic greed. Lastly, we would like to sincerely apologize for the unconstitutional legislation and prejudice actions of our people targeted at all minority populations. There is no justification for our actions. We understand there are still remnants of the crimes committed against our own people today. On this day, we recognize that the first step in fixing a problem is acknowledging that it exists. We are here today to not only sympathize with the struggles of our people, but to take necessary steps to ensure change and move forward. We will no longer refer to our own people as minorities-the word minority infers that they are lesser than. We will refer to them as American people, because that is who they are, and who we are. ACTIVITIES
Cultural festivals to promote equality, cultural awareness, and inclusion.
No charge for national museums on Acknowledgment Day. International Field Festivals. Panels held by minority leaders Educators include culturally inclusive curriculum Fundraising for better education Cultural competency trainings for all government employees
Distorted Figures The Failure of Truth and Reconciliation: Resistance against the Colonizers Agenda and misrepresented leaderships of our Nation: Short Stories, #3