National Observance Committee celebrates diversity

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Tristan Hinderliter
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
If you've been watching CNN or ESPN, you may know that Sunday's game pitting the Chicago Bears against the Indianapolis Colts will be the first time in history two black coaches have faced off against each other in a Super Bowl.

It is an appropriate start to February, which is Black History Month. Each year, the president of the United States issues a proclamation declaring this month as a time to celebrate the achievements and progress African Americans have made in the United States.

Black History Month is one of nine special observances celebrating diversity that Fairchild's National Observance Committee will orchestrate this year.

The committee, headed by Master Sgt. DeeDee DuBose of the Military Equal Opportunity office, has six members, with at least one representative from each group.

"What we want to achieve is wide dissemination and participation across the base," Sergeant DuBose said. "These events are for everyone. I think there's the misconception that to celebrate a particular heritage month, you have to be of that race."

Not so, she said.

"You don't have to be black to celebrate Black History Month, you don't have to be Asian to celebrate Asian/Pacific Islander Month," she said.

The purpose of these celebrations is to highlight contributions of minority groups to American culture, she said. Events usually focus on the history of a particular race, and where they want to be in the future.

Other observances planned for this year include Women's History Month in March, Holocaust Days of Remembrance in April, a joint multicultural fair in July, Women's Equality Day in August, Hispanic Heritage Month in September, and American Indian Heritage Month in November.

The NOC committee plans educational events, displays, luncheons and speeches to highlight each month. This year the committee will be soliciting project officers to head up each observance, and are currently seeking volunteers.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Sergeant DuBose at 247-2555.