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Racism Study Circle Program
Community Action Priorities

Project Overview and Update

CCAN worked with a group of community partners (representing grassroots activists, the School District, State and City government and United Way) to plan and execute a series of Study Circles (SC) on racism in 2003. Nearly 250 citizens participated in 20 circles. A diverse group of community leaders were trained as facilitators to guide the dialogue groups which met weekly over two months. This initiative brought together people who were often polarized around this emotionally volatile subject. Through dialogue and sharing, the community could begin to heal from personal and systemic wounds of racism and move into the future with real action.

Action groups emerged along eight themes including media, education, and law enforcement. To read about the history of the Racism Study Circles and the original action priorities, click here.

Below is a brief summary of accomplishments from the action groups over the past several years:

Media: Nine staff from the Burlington Free Press participated. Prior to the circles they were rated a 5 (on a scale of 1 - 10) by an independent service that rates US papers for their fair and comprehensive coverage of people from a variety of ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds. After the circles, they scored over an 8.5 and have instituted a range of practices to bring people of color onto the staff, boards, and guest columnists of the BFP.

Schools: Prior to the SC project there was a high level of animosity and mistrust between school administrators and the community. That has shifted dramatically. The schools' action groups, which started out of the Study Circles, met regularly for 3 years. Outgrowths included passing of State landmark legislation on harassment in schools, held community forums and celebrations, made changes to the curriculum, and hosted teacher and community trainings about racism in classrooms and school curricula.

Law Enforcement: The Burlington Police Department Officers, including the Chief and Deputy Chief, were significantly involved in the SC program. Since then, the BPD launched "Hiring in the Spirit of Service," a nationally recognized program to recruit, train and retain a more diverse police force. To design and implement the project, a team of community consultants comprised of refugees and people of color were hired.

Four years later, the effect of the SC project continues to influence race relations and policies in State government, schools, and businesses. Currently, the Burlington Police Department is engaged in a highly functional racial profiling initiative engaging a large and committed group of partners including the State's Attorney's office, legislators, the clergy, black activists, refugee associations, and police departments from neighboring cities. CCAN staff instigated this "Uncommon Alliance" which is now being directed by a steering committee of people of color. While not a direct outgrowth of the SC action groups, the trust and history of deep dialogue built through the Study Circle process helped lay the foundation for the birth of this initiative.

2003 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 were created to move to action to address racism in these 8 theme areas.  Broad community participation was encouraged on these action teams.  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. 

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 July 06, 2009

 

Burlington, Vermont
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Burlington City Hall, 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401 2009 City of Burlington, Vermont