It’s April – that means National Celebrate Diversity Month is here! There are so many things you can do to be inclusive, even though the coronavirus is still impacting our lives. If you’re wondering how to do something that’s meaningful as well as enjoyable, these ideas may point you in the right direction:
Make it a multicultural movie moment
Invite a small group of friends for a socially distanced movie night in the backyard. Rent or purchase (they are pretty cheap now) a projector, use a sheet or the side of your house and watch one or two movies that not only teach but can drum up additional conversation. It’s easy to sit back and watch what’s happening on the news, but when there’s a movie in the mix that speaks to the “other” stuff no one really addresses … that’s movie magic gold.
Learn a cultural dance
Cultural dances can be fun to learn. Have a professional dance instructor demonstrate five dances from different countries for your friends or coworkers, and learn them to the music that’s playing on the radio today. Not only will it be hilariously difficult, but it helps everyone keep an open mind while merging the past with the present.
Read a multicultural book
This is great for book clubs that want to explore other cultures and countries. Choose a book for the group to read and have it as the book of the month. This can also be done with friends or family members who value the connection of good conversation while being able to look at their own culture and values in comparison to what’s being read.
Host an international food festival
There’s no need to travel to an international food festival when you have all the resources you need at home. Have your friends and family in your “Covid bubble” pull countries from a hat or online and have them prepare a dish from that country (having wine from the same country wouldn’t hurt). It can be more interesting if the preparers dress up in traditional clothing and give a brief history of the country and why they chose their particular dish.
Learn a language
Learning a new language can be challenging, but learning a few words and phrases with a bunch of friends can be fun. Select a language from a different culture and commit to learning all you can within a certain timeframe. Up the ante and choose a prize for the person who learns the most and has the best diction.
These five ways to infuse new cultural moments into your life while celebrating National Diversity Month will not only provide perspective but also give everyone a chance to spend time with the people that matter the most, whether in person or through video chat. Take these activities and infuse them into your life beyond April to keep a positive pulse on other cultures throughout the year.
