Dear Campus Community,
At Sacramento State, we are proud to celebrate National Arabic American Heritage Month, established by President Biden’s declaration on April 19, 2021, two years after California recognized Arab American Heritage Month through a state Senate resolution on March 19, 2019. These actions establish April as a time to recognize and honor Arabic American history, culture, contributions, and community. Additionally, on April 28, 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a proclamation declaring April Arab American Heritage Month.
Arab people are a vibrant, social, kind, innovative, and entrepreneurial community. Arab Americans represent a significant portion of the nation’s (3.5 million) and California’s (700,000) population. At Sac State, approximately 1% (323) of our students self-identify as Arab.
It is vitally important to recognize and acknowledge the diversity within our nation, state, and campus. Specifically, it is critical to uplift and humanize our Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) communities and combat the systemic and intentional stereotyping, tropes, and dehumanization that Arab peoples within the SWANA diaspora have endured.
Despite systemic oppression, Arab Americans have contributed greatly to the political, economic, medical, educational, cultural, and social landscape in the United States. The achievements of Arab Americans are multidimensional and impactful. Arab American Heritage Month invites us to explore and learn about Arab people and expand our understanding and appreciation for the Arab American community.
In partnership,
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and University Diversity Officer