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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.
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.
Page last updated
July 06, 2009
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