By Darius Johari
The month of October is more than the “spooky season,” but is also a time to celebrate unsung histories and bring awareness to unspoken issues.
Tusk spotlights four events to strike the activist in you and raise awareness to causes that don’t get the attention they deserve.
Pilipinx American History Month
Pilipinx American History Month was established in 1992 by the Pilipinx American National Historical Society. The event commemorates the first recorded presence of Pilipinx migrants who landed in the Morro Bay area in California on October 18, 1587.
Pilipinx American History Month, not to be confused with Pilipinx Heritage Month, sheds light on the contributions of Pilipinxs in America like their efforts during the 1962 farm labor movement in California.
The Pilipinx American Student Association will host its 35th annual Friendship Games on Oct. 23 and 24, and it’s a great way to support their efforts.
For more information on advocating and supporting the Pilipinx community at CSUF, follow the Pilipinx American Student Association on Instagram @pasakaibigan or Twitter @PASAKaibigan and follow the Bayanihan Kollective on Instagram @bayanihankollective.
National Disability Employment Awareness
The month of October also observes National Disability Employment Awareness. Celebrated as Disability Awareness Month at the CSUF campus, NDEAM celebrates American workers with disabilities and serves as a reminder to employers of the importance of inclusiveness in hiring.
Originally called the “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week,” National Disability Employment Awareness Week was first introduced by Congress in 1945 and it’s efforts helped disabled veterans. By 1988, the week turned into a month and the word “physically” was dropped to include those with all types of disabilities.
For more information and future events pertaining to disability awareness on campus follow Abled Advocators on Instagram @abledadvocators or visit the Disability Support Services website here.
LGBTQ+ History Month
Founded in 1994, LGBTQ+ History Month is an observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history, celebrating the history of the gay rights movement. The month of October coincides with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and the anniversary of the first march on Washington by LGBT people in 1979 on October 14.
The LGBTQ Resource Center on campus also hosts an annual drag show, inviting local drag queens to participate. This year the drag show will happen via Zoom.
For more information and CSUF events on LGBTQ+ History Month, you can follow the LGBT Queer Resource Center on Instagram at @lgbtq.csuf.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Also held in October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services states, the month started “from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.”
Raising awareness of the issues with domestic violence is now more important than ever with the lockdowns due to the coronavirus. CSUF’s Women’s and Adult Reentry Center is now hosting a new segment called Gender Chat, where they discuss different topics relating to the issue, and how to tackle it.
For information on the services and events at CSUF follow the Women’s and Adult Reentry Center on Instagram @csuf_warc.
