History

The Juxtaposition: Vermont, the First State to Abolish Slavery-ish 10/12/2022

From the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance:

Amending the Vermont Constitution is an incredibly long and arduous process. The road to prohibit slavery through this process has been exponentially longer. First, why is Vermont prohibiting slavery if it was already abolished? Second, what was the process that led us here? Finally, what will the impact of prohibiting slavery be in Vermont in moving forward?

Homework: Read Article 1 of the Vermont Constitution (30 seconds)

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance remains committed to prohibiting slavery and indentured servitude in all forms in Vermont. The existing slavery exception clauses in Vermont constitution are NOT symbolic but carry the same weight as any other language in our constitution and therefore MUST be amended with prohibition language. We're grateful that the constitutional amendment process in Vermont (one of the most comprehensive in the nation) has afforded this State the due diligence required for such an important matter. Never having been a State (or nation) where slavery hasn't existed leaves us uncertain of the impact that this constitutional amendment will have over time, but we know that it is morally right to constitutioinally prohibit slavery. We do know that this reprehensible crime against humanity has left us with the insidious monster of systemic racism and we remain committed to eradicating it on all fronts. This constitutional amendment is a part of that process and will serve as a memorial in perpetuity.

Positively Vermont: Interview with Lindsay Varner of the Rokeby Museum 10/03/2022

Interview with Lindsay Varner, Director of the Rokeby Museum.

Please visit www.rokeby.org to follow the programs and learn more about the museum.

The Con Hogan Award 2022 09/28/2022

The Vermont Community Foundation and the organizing committee for the Con Hogan Award for Creative, Entrepreneurial Community Leadership are pleased to announce that Joe Wiah will be honored with this year’s award. Wiah is Director of the Ethiopian Community Development Council’s (ECDC) Multicultural Community Center in Brattleboro.

For more information, visit: https://vermontcf.org/our-impact/impact-stories/joe-wiah-2022-con-hogan-award

Proposition 2 - Prohibition of Slavery in Vermont 101 09/22/2022

From Vermont Racial Justice Alliance:

Are you interested in learning more about Proposition 2, the constitutional amendment to prohibit slavery in Vermont?

This session provides much needed background to help us understand why it is NECASSARY to amend the Vermont Constitution to prohibit slavery in all forms. We’ll provide details on the legislative, public and executive processes that have taken place to bring us to this important stage of the process of constitutionally prohibiting slavery in all forms in the State of Vermont.

Ethan Allen Homestead Enrichment Program: Dressing the 18th-century Working Woman with Skye Makaris 09/18/2022

From the Ethan Allen Homestead:

This event is not just for the ladies! Revolutionary War buffs and artisan crafters won't want to miss this! Head of Historical Dress at the EAHM will broaden our perspective of this richly fascinating time (and maybe even teach us a little about today).

For more information: ethanallenhomestead.org

What's Going On?: Discussion about Mikhail Gorbachev and the Queen 09/13/2022

Host Sandy Baird discusses with Eric Agenro and Kurt Mehta, Esq., about the recent deaths of Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, and Elizabeth II, Queen of England.

South Sudan Update and Interview 08/30/2022

Akol Aguek interviews Chiengkuach Mabil Chiengkuach on the current situation in South Sudan.

First African Landing Day 2022 Part 2 08/27/2022

From VRJA:

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance is happy to have the opportunity to bring the 2022 Vermont First African Landing Day program “We’ve Come This Far By Faith." There has been nothing more vital to the persistence and tenacity of American Descendants of Slavery than their faith. Through trials and tribulations and unimaginable adversity, embracing faith has often been the only way forward. Black folks have depended on the church as a place of refuge and a headquarters from which a movement that would change a nation would operate. When we look back over our lives and think things over, most American Descendants of Slavery would agree that nothing short of a miracle has brought us as a people to this point in time. This year, Vermont First African Landing Day highlights and celebrates our faith with the words that echo through the generations, “We’ve Come this Far By Faith!"

This year Vermont First African Landing Day features “Reflections, Acknowledgements and Aspirations,” a panel discussion on where we have come form and where we agree we should be going, 403 years after the landing of the White Lion at Point Comfort!

For more information visit: firstafricanlandingvt.org/2022-program

First African Landing Day 2022 Part 1 08/27/2022

From VRJA:

For more information visit: firstafricanlandingvt.org/2022-program

Preservation Burlington: Champlain Club Preservation 08/25/2022

Ron Wanamaker interviews John Antram from the board of the Champlain Club to talk about their efforts towards restoration, preservation, and outreach.

More information: champlainclub.org | preservationburlington.org

Featured Story

Applications Now Open for the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship Program

Town Meeting TV is excited to announce that applications are now open for the Spring 2025 cohort of the Neighborhood Community Media Internship program. Join up to 8 other youth to engage in interesting media making projects! This paid media internship opportunity is designed for youth aged 16-20 who are eager to gain professional experience in the audio-visual field and develop a deeper understanding of their local community. The group will meet under the leadership of Town Meeting TV's Travis Washington from the end of January 2025 to the beginning of June 2025, on a schedule agreed upon by the whole cohort. Click here to apply!