When I was growing up, my elementary school celebrated the first new moon of the lunar calendar as Chinese New Year. I remember classrooms decorated with dragons and red accents, but at home, the celebration felt different.
In Korean culture, we call the holiday Seollal, short for Eumnyeok Seollal, which translates to “Lunar New Year” in English. This raises the question: Is it “Chinese New Year” or “Lunar New Year”?
In the United States, “Chinese New Year” has historically been the more common term, often used by non-Chinese communities and recognized as the official name in countries like Singapore and Malaysia. However, since 2010, there has been a gradual shift toward the more inclusive term “Lunar New Year,” recognizing that billions of people worldwide celebrate it, including Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese cultures. Even Chinese communities outside China use both terms interchangeably.
As Melakyu and Winkler highlight in the Harvard Business Review, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts should not rely on singular programs or titles but must permeate all aspects of organizational culture. At Child Action, Inc., our A.C.R.O.S.S. values emphasize Sensitivity, guiding us to foster inclusivity. Using “Lunar New Year” is one small way we reflect this value, embracing diverse cultural experiences.
Whether you call it Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year, the key is to celebrate with respect and cultural humility. Engage meaningfully, honor differences, and learn about traditions to foster true appreciation and inclusion.
References and external links:
Sacramento: The Year of the Dragon Celebration: http://cnyca.net/php/
What is Korean New Year: https://nationaltoday.com/korean-new-year/
Celebrating Lunar New Year in Japan: https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-kanagawa/in-yokohama/article-a0001933/
Vietnamese New Year (Tết Festival) : https://www.odynovotours.com/vietnam/tet-new-year.html
Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2022/06/are-your-organizations-dei-efforts-superficial-or-structural
Cultural Humility: https://youtube.com/shorts/i3Gjfc6CnMk?si=9pAINjo0_I3HIdfC
By Dr. Diggs