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Racism Study Circle Program
Community Action Priorities

During the month of April 2003, over 250 citizens participated in one of 20 different racism study circles held throughout Burlington. These facilitated, small group discussions focused on racism and white privilege in our community. On May 13, 2003, over 250 people gathered to hear the priority actions identified by the 20 Study Circles that met throughout April.  The priority actions have been organized into 8 theme areas:  schools; business; housing; media; government and civic participation; community resource center; community education and awareness; and celebrations, arts and culture.

Teams have been created to move to action to address racism in these 8 theme areas.  We would like to encourage broad community participation in these action teams.  For an update on what the action teams have been working on, click here.  To see the original action priorities, click on the links below.

Schools - provide additional cultural competency training for all school personnel; curriculum changes to reflect the community's diversity.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for Burlington schools.  

Convener:   Lyman Amsden, Superintendent of Burlington Schools
                150 Colchester Avenue
                Burlington, VT 05401
                864-8461

Business - Cultural diversity trainings for employees to help improve services to diverse customers.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for Burlington businesses.  

Convener:   Ron Redmond, Director of the Church Street Marketplace
                2 Church Street, Suite 2A
                Burlington, VT 05401
                865-7254

Housing - lack of affordable housing citywide, make available more information on housing programs/services for minorities, educate realtors to avoid "prescreening" of customers and neighborhoods. Click here to view the initial community action priorities for housing in Burlington.  

Convener:   Robert Appel, Human Rights Commission
                135 State Street, Drawer 33
                Montpelier, VT 05633-6301
                (802)828-2480 or (800) 416-2010

Media - improve community relations through positive reporting of ethnic, cultural and community events.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for media groups.  Conversations on Race is available online.

Convener:   Mike Townsend, Burlington Free Press
                191 College Street
                Burlington, VT 05401
                660-1871
    

Government and Civic Participation - Passage of H113 (Enforce anti-discrimination in Vermont schools), creation of Equity Coordinator position(s) and ombudsman for the City of Burlington, additional research to provide benchmarks on problem areas/progress.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for government and civic participation.  

Convener:   Mayor, Bob Kiss
                City Hall, Room 34
                149 Church Street
                Burlington, VT 05401
                865-7272

Community Resource Center - create a central resource to provide access to information and resources on a broad range of avenues for addressing racism and prejudice in our community.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for the community resource center.  

Convener:  Laura Clemmons
                Baird Center
                1110 Pine Street
                Burlington, VT 05401

Community Education and Awareness - provide educational opportunities throughout the year through continued/expanded study circles and discussion groups, public awareness activities and anti racism trainings.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for community education and awareness.  

Convener:  Gretchen Morse
                United Way of Chittenden County
                412 Farrell Street, Suite 200
                So. Burlington, VT 05403
                864-7541

Arts, Celebrations & Culture - develop a living museum of diversity, set up a Permanent Trail in downtown Burlington that depicts the history or face relations, "Acting Against Racism" which is improvisation drama to raise awareness about racism.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for arts and culture.  The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 12, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. in the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts, 2nd Floor.

Convener:  Doreen Kraft, Director of City Arts
                149 Church Street
                Burlington, VT 05401
                865-7156

Individual - support and participate in anti-racism activities and bring an anti-racist perspective to all activities in which one is involved.  Click here to view the initial community action priorities for individuals.

 

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Page last updated April 07, 2008

 

Burlington, Vermont
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Burlington City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401 2007 City of Burlington, Vermont