RCC will be closed Monday, Feb. 15 in honor of Presidents Day. Have a great long weekend! For important dates, please see the Academic Calendar.
Here are some cultural and historical events worth learning more about:
Lunar New Year 2021 is today, Feb. 12! Unlike the Western New Year, celebrated on Jan. 1, the Lunar New Year is based on a lunar calendar cycle. This holiday is celebrated within China and other Asian countries and is known by various iterations: For example, it can also be known as Seollal (Korean New Year(link is external)), Tet (Vietnamese New Year(link is external)), Spring Festival (Chinese New Year(link is external)), Tsagaan Sar(link is external) (Mongolian New Year), etc. Depending on the culture and even particular familial traditions, the way Lunar New Year is celebrated can vary. It can include dances, elaborate clothing, carnivals, fireworks, special foods, ancestral rites, and extravagant gifts.
I reached out to my Amah (grandmother) as an expert to hear her thoughts on what should be highlighted for those unfamiliar with this holiday since she preserved this tradition across China, Vietnam, and America. Please keep in mind Amah’s perspective is Chinse/Vietnamese influenced. Amah shared these wisdoms:
- Lunar New Year is centered on the importance of family and recognizing those who have passed on.
- Honor the family by having the living family come together to cook, eat, and make offerings to our ancestors. It is a shared time when all of the generations can be together, both living and beyond.
- Enter into the New Year with a clean house. Cleaning is important as it cleanses the previous year’s misfortunes, and new good luck and fortune can stick.
- Welcome the year in new clothes. And don’t cry on New Year! Bring your best self and joy because New Year’s day will determine the luck of the rest of the year.
– Amy Peterson, RCC Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator
The RCC Diversity Programming Board invites you to join Courageous Conversations for a community discussion on “Black History Month: Did You Know?” Join this event via Zoom(link is external) from 12-1 p.m. Feb. 23.
Here are a few links where you can immerse yourself in Oregon’s Black pioneer history:
Virtual Exhibits:
Black In Oregon 1840-1870(link is external)
Racing to Change(link is external)
Oregon Black Pioneers(link is external)
Videos/Documentaries:
Oregon’s Black Pioneers: OPB’s full documentary(link is external)
Why Aren’t There More Black People in Oregon A Hidden History(link is external)
Articles:
Renaming Ben Johnson Mountain; Oregon Historical Society(link is external)
Black Pioneers and Settlers; End of the Oregon Trail(link is external)
The Faces of Black Oregon(link is external)
Wishing you good health and good fortunes,
RCC Communications
P.S. Don’t forget! The deadline to apply for scholarships through the RCC Foundation is March 1.