ABA CENTER FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY
Diversity Quick Facts
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November 2008
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state, getting endorsements from 24 state governments, to have a day to honor American Indians.
- 4.5 million - As of July 1, 2007, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race.
- 5 - Number of states where American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest race or ethnic minority group in 2007. These states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
October 2008
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October 2008
Violence and abuse affect all kinds of people every day.
- Native Americans are victims of rape or sexual assault at more than double the rate of other racial groups.
- Approximately 40% of African American women report coercive contact of a sexual nature by age 18
- 48% of Latinas in one study reported that their partner's violence against them had increased since they immigrated to the United States.
ABA Commission on Domestic Violence is once again sponsoring a used cell phone donation drive throughout the month of October to assist victims of domestic violence. Learn more about the HopeLine program.
September 2008
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. The U.S. celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
August 2008 |
Minorities, now roughly one-third of the U.S. population, are expected to become the majority in 2042, with the nation projected to be 54 percent minority in 2050. By 2023, minorities will comprise more than half of all children.
July 2008
Roughly a third of all American high school students drop out. Another third graduate but are not prepared for the next stage of life – either productive work or some form of post-secondary education.
Source: Bob Herbert, Clueless in America, THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 22, 2008, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/opinion/22herbert.html
June 2008
The term, “Native American,” came into usage in the 1960s to denote the groups served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs: American Indians and Alaska Natives (Indians, Eskimos and Aleuts of Alaska). It is, therefore, an umbrella term that includes both American Indians in the contiguous 48 states, and Alaska Natives in Alaska. Sometimes, the term, as used, also includes Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders who receive benefits in some federal programs.
- Mary L. Smith,
National Native American Bar Association's delegate to the ABA House of Delegates
