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THE BUZZ: REFLECTIONS ON RAMADAN, APIDA HERITAGE MONTH, AND THE MEANING OF
INCLUSION

Posted by Aisha Ghori Ozaki | May 26, 2022 | Recent Posts, The Buzz | 0


Post Views: 279


Reflections… as I think back on the recent end of Ramadan where Muslims around
the world abstain from food, drink, and worldly desires in service of doing more
for others by creating a better community for those around us, I wanted to share
a few highlights.  

The start of the month coincided with the start of April, and it was lovely to
hear from so many non-Muslim friends and colleagues who sent messages of Ramadan
Mubarak/Happy Ramadan. I remember reflecting to my family that it was such a
new/different experience that Ramadan was more known/acknowledged — there were
news clips and stories too. They too agreed that more people wished it to them.
This may seem small, but as a marginalized member of a community, these
acknowledgments can still feel big because they are unique. As kids we didn’t
see items labeled for Ramadan or Eid-ul-Fitr (the high holiday post-Ramadan). We
sometimes quietly and sometimes outwardly longed for that public recognition, or
already-granted time off. Occasionally we’d see an ad recognizing our
holidays by a mainstream consumer company (it still catches us by surprise.)  

This year was such a different experience, as Ramadan was more acknowledged by
friends and colleagues. This may seem small, but as a marginalized member of a
community, these acknowledgments can feel big. Click To Tweet

Now, we see more public recognition, including a message pop-up that appeared
when my youngest was playing the mobile game Subway Surfers — is this what it
feels like to have a space? Maybe? Or for a second? The irony is, there is more
broad awareness of Ramadan in recent years and yet, I attended a DEI+ conference
in April, and there was no particular recognition. I was grateful it was hosted
virtually because if it were in person, travel wouldn’t have worked for me
during Ramadan. What I mean to say is: we’d likely never host a similar event
during other high holiday seasons (Christmas for example).  

There is more broad awareness of Ramadan in recent years and yet, I attended a
DEI+ conference in April with no recognition of it. Click To Tweet

So, I’m keenly aware of our place and while it may feel a bit like we’ve made it
– cards at Target, decorations at Party City and snap chat filters, oh my! – is
it inclusion, or a way that some vendors have figured out how to commercialize
cultural traditions? And it leaves me wondering, what’s more valuable? Public
recognition with missteps or nothing at all … this is a tough one and as a
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ+) practitioner, it begs the
question: who is still not in the room? Whether it is advertising or another
decision being made, if you don’t know what could be helpful or relevant for
some groups within vast global communities, are relevant vendors and members of
said communities actually being consulted, uplifted, and supported? 

When a decision is being made, if you don’t know what could be relevant for some
groups within global communities, are relevant vendors and members of said
communities being consulted, uplifted, and supported? Click To Tweet

The spring of 2022 brought forward a unique combination of holidays from many
communities co-occurring (which only happens about every 30 years) so that
offered some wonderful opportunities for stories, support and exchange. It also
left me curious about what will happen next year when it won’t occur that way
(our lunar calendar moves earlier every year by about 10 days). Will we still
have broad awareness and acknowledgment?  

As I plotted my personal floating holiday to take the day off for Eid to
celebrate with my family (grateful to have at least this option and supportive
colleagues as I know many don’t), I was keenly aware that many others don’t have
to do this to engage in their holiday celebrations. My college student couldn’t
return home for the celebration as he had classes (it fell on a Monday) so we
all navigated what it felt like to celebrate in a new way from a distance; his
first year celebrating Eid away and alone, and even he noted: “If Covid taught
us anything, I know I could have come home and taken my classes virtually, but
it wasn’t even considered as an option.” And my youngest commiserated that she’d
lose her perfect attendance because she chose to celebrate the day with her
family (it’s an excused absence, but an absence nonetheless that requires
catching up on missed work, etc.). My own multiracial/multiethnic family had a
beautiful day that included guests from around the world who didn’t have family
in the U.S. to celebrate with (Eid Mubarak to all those who celebrated!)

As I plotted to take the day off for Eid (grateful to have at least this option
as I know many don’t), I was keenly aware that many others don’t have to do this
to engage in their holiday celebrations. Click To Tweet

As we entered into May with our Eid holiday, my Pakistani/Japanese family also
entered into Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) Heritage month,
and while we know there needs to be recognition beyond this month, it once again
highlights how there is so much more to do to really understand the complex
identities and experiences of those in community with us.  

I often talk about this work as my life’s work and consider it being comprised
of the 5 Ps:  

 1. Patience – this work takes a long time (too long no doubt) 
 2. Positivity – you’ve got to stay focused (this is really hard) 
 3. Persistence – we can’t let up 
 4. Perseverance – be prepared for the long haul  
 5. Passion – I have to be fully committed and love doing it in all aspects of
    my life (it isn’t just a job and I have to keep at it, even when it is so
    difficult) 

In just the early days of May 2022, I was fortunate to have been inspired by
incredible social justice leaders and activists, including the powerful Bryan
Stevenson who encourages proximity as a way to deepen connection and
understanding. That doesn’t take away from the exhaustion and necessary
recognition of horrific histories in the U.S…. but prompts us to commit to a new
way of approaching truth and justice. I take the lesson of proximity to heart
and continue to attempt this as a means of expanding knowledge and growing
relationships.  

This month also provided me the chance to celebrate the 30 year anniversary with
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago where I have the honor of serving on
the board with staff and leaders who fight for racial equity through collective
advocacy. We have helped implement new and innovative programs like the Teaching
Equitable Asian American Community History (TEAACH) Act which amended Illinois
School Code, ensuring that every public elementary and high school student in
Illinois learns about the contributions of Asian Americans in the U.S. Content
like this was never taught to me as an Illinois student, and it leaves hope for
other generations (not just those in the APIDA community) to learn the truth
about their vast experiences and histories.  

We are also entering into a graduation season for many students; students who
have worked so hard to achieve their varied successes and are also asked in many
cases to provide the proper pronunciation of their name. They pass the
pronunciation card loaded with all its best intentions – yet I listened recently
to another butchered name of a dear friend’s daughter and I just think we can do
better. It seems so simple, but it’s another clear example where intentions and
actions don’t align.  

We are entering into graduation season for many students who worked so hard to
achieve their varied successes. They pass the pronunciation card, and yet we
still hear butchered names. We can do better. Click To Tweet

Recent weeks also brought forth numerous racially-motivated targeted shootings
across the U.S. So many of us watch in horror as we are once again faced with
the reality of hatred in our nation. We need to acknowledge this, and while we
often evoke prayers and support (which certainly are needed), there needs to be
more specific action and ownership of these never-ending tragedies. In addition
to creating space for the mourning and pain, what are we really doing to hold
ourselves and our society accountable for fueling race-based hatred and harm?  

So, as I continue to reflect on my personal experiences and history, and to bear
witness to those with further varied experiences, I also evoke gratitude for
access and space to connect and build, and the strength and time to do more to
address the trauma and tragedies. 

In addition to creating space for the mourning and pain, what are we really
doing to hold ourselves and our society accountable for fueling race-based
hatred and harm? Click To Tweet

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AISHA GHORI OZAKI

Aisha Ghori Ozaki is a justice, diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner
serving as an inaugural DEI Director at Northwestern University’s Office for
Research. She also recently spent 6 years on the enterprise-wide Inclusive
Diversity & Equity team at Allstate. Aisha is a frequent presenter and
facilitator on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as professional
development topics. She is devoted to ensuring that all individuals feel
welcome, find their passion and contribute toward creating an inclusive and just
environment. In addition to her corporate experience, Aisha spent about 18 years
in higher education and is thrilled to be back in higher education. Aisha holds
both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Sociology from DePaul University and is
certified in the administration and interpretation of the Intercultural
Development Inventory (IDI) and the MBTI. Aisha also holds Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion certificates from Northwestern University and Cornell University.
Aisha volunteers with multiple organizations and especially enjoys mentoring and
supporting organizations like Chi-Care, Upwardly Global Chicago, the DePaul
University Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK) program, My Block My Hood My City and
Rahmah Pantry. Aisha remains active in various professional associations
including the Forum on Workplace Inclusion where she has served on the
conference programming committee since 2016 and co-presented at the annual
conference in 2017 and 2019. Aisha is on the board of directors for Asian
Americans Advancing Justice Chicago, Muslim Women’s Alliance of Chicago and IL
Muslim Civic Coalition.


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