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I mentioned earlier the problems with whiteness in librarianship (DM me for reading packet or pointers) but here's a very short thread about problems with whiteness in Vermont. I like it here, but it's a white state and that brings whiteness problems.
Incarceration rates and traffic stop rates in VT are significantly higher for BIPOC ppl than for white people even though white people are more likely to be carrying contraband. In fact, VT just started keeping "race data" on traffic stops in 2014. https://stephanieseguino.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/2/7/23270372/recommendations_on_revisions_to_race_data_collection_statute_20_v_8.22__v7.pdf (pdf)
There's a steady leafletting campaign by out-and-proud white supremacists leaving their crap in libraries and on bulletin boards up and down the Route 7 corridor. https://vtdigger.org/2018/04/05/vermont-libraries-find-white-nationalist-materials-placed-books/
In 2018, hate crime incidents were at a 23 year high in Vermont. https://vtdigger.org/2018/11/13/reported-hate-crime-incidents-reach-23-year-high-vermont/
In 2018, hate crime incidents were at a 23 year high in Vermont. https://vtdigger.org/2018/11/13/reported-hate-crime-incidents-reach-23-year-high-vermont/
VT talks a good game about being the first state to make slavery illegal (it's in the constitution) Less is talked about how if you had already-enslaved people, you could come to VT and keep them. Children could be legally enslaved. This book has receipts. https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/uvm-slavery-study-challenges-vermonts-abolitionist-rep/Content?oid=2296191
And the Klan was here, just like everyone else. Thriving in the 20s, mostly gone (or gone underground) by the 30s. Rutland was a hotbed of Klan activity and still has problems.
https://vtdigger.org/2019/07/26/rutland-talks-racism-in-hate-free-vermont-forum/
https://vermonthistory.org/kkk-in-vermont-1924
https://vtdigger.org/2019/07/26/rutland-talks-racism-in-hate-free-vermont-forum/
https://vermonthistory.org/kkk-in-vermont-1924
My town's high school held many open forums deciding to fly the #BlackLivesMatter 
flag & had a big fight going b/c our school mascot (the Galloping Ghost) looked like a Klansman. Gentle work over years by principal & students finally got it painted over. https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/giving-up-the-ghost-randolph-high-schools-kkk-mascot-is-erased/Content?oid=29752869
flag & had a big fight going b/c our school mascot (the Galloping Ghost) looked like a Klansman. Gentle work over years by principal & students finally got it painted over. https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/giving-up-the-ghost-randolph-high-schools-kkk-mascot-is-erased/Content?oid=29752869
I'm on the board of a statewide humanities organization. The board was nearly all white when I joined and still is. The staff was all white when I joined and no longer is. Our statewide reads have been books by BIPOC authors 4 of the last 6 yrs. The Hate U Give is 2020's, timely
At a meeting some board members asked why this was a "VT book" and I got to trot out my stats about incarceration rates & traffic stops. When I step down there's a good chance (with new Director) my place will be filled by a BIPOC person but we needed to do the work to get there.
Vermont is my chosen home. I love it here. However, it could be better, not just for me but for all Vermonters. And part of doing that work, the work of talking to white people about the problems with white people, starts with me.
I had 1 min at a selectboard meeting today to speak to why the town should have a #BlackLivesMatter flag on the town hall (as a citizen in support). I only got to mention a few of the above issues and the response from 2/5 of the board showed me just how much work needs doing.
flag on the town hall (as a citizen in support). I only got to mention a few of the above issues and the response from 2/5 of the board showed me just how much work needs doing.
I noted:
- VTs history w/r/t slavery (not as good as we say)
- VTs incarceration rates for POC (horrible)
- My friend who had women in the office (in town) trying to touch her hair
Was heartened by how many people from town showed up w/ words of solidarity. Didn't pass... yet.
- VTs history w/r/t slavery (not as good as we say)
- VTs incarceration rates for POC (horrible)
- My friend who had women in the office (in town) trying to touch her hair
Was heartened by how many people from town showed up w/ words of solidarity. Didn't pass... yet.
