One of Missouri State’s pillars of public affairs is Cultural Competence, the goal of which “Students will recognize and respect multiple perspectives and cultures.”
This holiday season, try to recognize the multitude of holidays that are celebrated by your neighbors. It is not only Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Other holidays celebrated during this time of year include:
· Diwali: The Festival of Lights, of Hindu origin, meant to celebrate the goddess Lakshmi
· Kwanzaa: a celebration of African culture and community
· Hanukkah: eight nights of celebration, of Jewish origin, meant to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem during the Meccabean Revolt
· Chinese New Year: also known as the Spring Festival, recognizing the beginning of the lunar new year
· St. Lucia’s Day: celebrated throughout Scandinavia and Italy, in honor of the martyr Saint Lucia
· Las Posadas: of Mexican origin, to honor the Virgin Mary’s journey to Bethlehem
· Lohri: celebrated in India, marking the end of winter and the change of the sun’s course
· St. Nicholas Day: also know as the Feast of St. Nicholas, celebrated in Northern Europe, to honor Saint Nicholas
· Omisoka: the Japanese New Year
(shared by the Diversity Committee, Residence Life, Dining and Housing)