A Correction & An Apology

We at OMA certainly don't know everything about diversity across the United States, let alone the globe. But we do our best to research everything we put into this newsletter. Still, sometimes we get it wrong.

We apologize for last week's inclusion of the word "Berber" to describe some of the people included in the SWANA acronym. (Sout West Asian & Northern Africa). This word is considered offensive and the preferred term is Amazigh, which means “free people” in the Tamazight language. 

The Amazigh are a diverse grouping of distinct ethnic groups indigenous to North Africa who predate the arrival of Arabs. One of the reasons some people prefer to be called Amazigh is that the term “Berber” does not fully capture the diversity and complexity of their culture. In some countries, the use of the Tamazight language and the practice of Amazigh culture were suppressed and punished.

Their flag, shown above, symbolizes unity & cultural renaissance, and it was established in 1997 by the Amazigh Congress, a body established to defend their rights. The BLUE is the Atlantic ocean & Mediterranean Sea, the GREEN is Tamazight, the land they come from. The YELLOW is the desert. The RED  "yaz" symbolizes a free person, which is also the meaning of the word Amazigh.

A couple of thoughtful newsletter readers wrote to us and pointed out our mistake. One even directed us to a helpful link to read more. Here's a video: Who are the Amazigh of North Africa?

We want to remind everyone, that Diversity, Equity & Inclusion work is NOT about having all the answers. It is about doing your research, but still responding with humility whenever you are corrected, while thanking others for caring and offering more insightful information.

Congratulations ChaeEun Lee!

ChaeEun Lee has been our MSASS Graduate Intern in OMA for 2023-24. This past week she held "Fortune Bag (복주머니) with Lucky Rock Painting." 

For those who missed it - and we had LOTS of people in OMA - it was a great event with helpful infomation on the tradition of Fortune Bags, and some delicious Korean snacks! Congratulations ChaeEun on your Fortune Bags event! What a great way to celebrate Graduate Student Appreciation Week.

For those who missed it - we've got Crafternoon coming up in a couple of weeks, on Weds, April 24, starting at noon.