Both the Woodland City Council and Yolo County Board of Supervisors have been approving (or are scheduled to approve) a number of resolutions and proclamations recognizing special weeks, individuals or groups.

Supervisors were set to proclaim May as Older Americans Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month.

Meanwhile, the Woodland council will declare May as Asian, American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month,” along with Older American Month, May 18-24 as Public Works Week and May 11-17 as National Police Week.

Nothing is wrong with any of these events. Rather what got my interest was a little-seen post from the Muslim community in Woodland about the formation of a “Community Task Force” to support Muslim parents and students in Woodland and Yolo County.

According to the information I came across, the Muslim Education and Equity Task Force will soon host meetings and seminars “to strengthen educational success and life skills.”

The “vision statement” of the Task Force is to “build a thriving and inclusive educational environment where Muslim students in the Woodland School District are seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential — academically, socially and emotionally through equitable access, culturally aware practices and strong community-school partnerships.”

The Task Force is a “collaborative initiative between the Muslim community and the Woodland School District. Our mission is to promote equity, academic achievement and positive engagement for Muslim students and families.

“Through MEET, we aim to meet each other where we are — as educators, families and community members — so we can move forward together in supporting the next generation with equality and equity,” according to the statement.

I looked through the Woodland School District’s website and couldn’t find any mention of the Task Force. (But I’ll admit I didn’t comb through every nook and cranny).

I did find a May 14 post from Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is a “time we proudly recognize and honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of AAPI individuals and families throughout our nation’s history and within our WJUSD schools and community.”

I also found information about the African-American Advisory Council.

All this raises a question of effectiveness. Recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month year after year is fine, but as time goes by, the action becomes trite, as does Public Works Week, Older Americans Month, etc. It’s not that they’re unimportant, it’s just that in the fullness of time, they become so many words on a slightly more expensive piece of paper.

What impresses me is when I see action taken to rectify or promote people or cultures, because then we as a society are the real beneficiaries. In brief, we’re supporting “diversity, equity and inclusion” at the local level.

That might sound offensive to some given the political climate, but the African-American Advisory Council can make real change beginning at a young age. So, too, can the Muslim Education and Equity Task Force. Why? Because both recognize the need for understanding and respect.

I would suggest something similar for local government as well. I would suggest sponsoring forums or seminars, essay contests, musical and artistic tributes for distinctive nationalities and cultures.

This wouldn’t be hard. We know some of these events will be taking place in the years ahead and recognizing our society’s diverse cultures and individuals can only lead to greater understanding and acceptance.

Jim Smith is the former editor of The Daily Democrat, retiring in 2021 after a 27-year career at the paper.