DAY 21: SPEAKING FROM THE HEART

Today is International Mother Language Day. This observance celebrates multilingual communities and focuses on the importance of multilingual education. As described by the United Nations, “Multilingualism contributes to the development of inclusive societies that allow multiple cultures, worldviews and knowledge systems to coexist and cross-fertilize.” In particular, multilingual education begins in the language that the learner masters most and then gradually introduces other languages. States like Vermont receive and resettle community members who arrive under refugee status, and multilingual education helps bridge the gap for those who have mastered languages beyond English and are beginning a new journey in the United States.

You Are Protected From Discrimination

The mission of the Vermont Human Rights Commission (HRC) is to promote full civil and human rights in Vermont. The HRC does this by

Enforcing laws through investigations and litigation,
Conciliating disputes,
Educating the public and providing information and referrals, and
Advancing public policies on human rights.

It’s important to understand your right to be free from discrimination. The HRC has helpful video guides in 11 languages to explain its role and process, including how a person can file a complaint. You can find those videos here:

SEE THE VIDEOS

Vermont Language Access Report

Cover of the Language Access Report

Last month, the Office of Racial Equity published a report on language access in Vermont, which included strategies to create comprehensive language access plans in organizations. If you’re short on time, there is a one-page summary at the end of the report.

Click here to read the report.

READ THE REPORT

One of the report’s main findings is that any meaningful policy on language access must include considerations of accessibility and disability. In Vermont, over 70,000 people are affected by some form of hearing loss, and as we stated on Day 20, most of us will age into disability. When we discuss language access, we must think not just about spoken languages, but also signed ones. On that theme, we highlight Nakia Smith, who is a member of the deaf community. Nakia is fluent in Black American Sign Language (BASL), and educates others about the cultural and accessibility impact of BASL in her everyday life. Check out this 2-minute video to see her in action: Nakia Smith on BASL

Pop Quiz!

A one-question trivia check to make sure you’re on your Black History A-game. How many will you get correct throughout the month? Click the button that reads “Today’s pop quiz” to see today’s question.

In honor of today’s exploration of language, today’s pop quiz question tests your knowledge of the timeline.

TODAY’S POP QUIZ

Coming up

Check out some of the events happening throughout Black History Month 2023.

TOMORROW 2/22 – Farmers’ Night: Alexander Twilight

What: At this event, “Middlebury Historian Bill Hart and others pay tribute to Rep. Alexander Twilight of Brownington, elected in 1836 as the nation’s first legislator of African descent.”

Logistics: This free event is being held on Wednesday Feb 22nd at the Vermont State House, located on State St. in Montpelier. Learn more here: Farmers’ Night

2/23 – The Rebel Women of Mathematics

What: A deep dive into the worlds of 30+ women who broke barriers and made their mark in STEM fields — from rocket science to computer programming. Hosted by professor, speaker, and PBS host Talithia Williams

Logistics: This free event is being held online on Thursday Feb 23rd from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Register here: Registration for Rebel Women of Mathematics

2/25 – Black Children’s Books

What: A virtual event to “discover the latest books centering Black children's stories and celebrate the impact of real representation at this opening of a virtual ‘museum’ devoted to Black literature.”

Logistics: This event is being held online on Saturday Feb 25th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Register here: Visit the Black Children’s Book Museum

2/25 – The Black Experience

What: This free event will feature discussions and panels with local artists and speakers, and a keynote presentation by iconic activist and scholar Dr. Angela Davis. There will also be a performance by the Philadanco dance company.

Logistics: This free event is being held on Saturday Feb 25th at 5:00 p.m. at The Flynn, located at 153 Main Street in Burlington. Learn more here: The Black Experience 2023

2/26 – “BIPOC Soul Food Sunday” in the NEK

What: An affinity space open only to people of color to experience entertainment from Toussaint St. Negritude and a photo booth by I Am Vermont Too. Attendees are encouraged to bring any kind of dish to share.

Logistics: This event is being held on Sunday Feb 26th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at The Whirligig Brewing, located at 397 Railroad St. in St. Johnsbury.

2/26 - Alexander Twilight Book Release Gathering

What: A presentation from Bill Tulp, a Vermont author and artist who has released a graphic story about Alexander Twilight.

Logistics: This free event is being held on Sunday Feb. 26th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Grammar School building of the Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village, located at 1569 Hinman Settler Rd. in Orleans. Learn more here: A New Alexander Twilight Graphic Story

2/28 – “50 Ways to Fight Bias: Black Women in the Workplace”

What: A presentation session centered around the biases & microaggressions Black Women face in the workplace

Logistics: This free event is being held online on Tuesday Feb 28th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. To register or learn more, visit here: Lean In - 50 Ways to Fight Bias

This Week’s Raffle

Congratulations to this week’s winners: Karen, Susan, Ethan, Charlie, and Mary. They will be receiving prizes that include the items featured below. The next drawing will take place on Tuesday of next week.

This week's raffle prizes, which include an anthology of Langston Hughes' work, a package of coffee from BLK & BOLD roasters, and "Rocket Says Clean Up" by Nathan Byron

This is an installment in the State of Vermont’s 28-day Black History Month e-mail series, offered by the Vermont Human Rights Commission and the Vermont Office of Racial Equity. The Human Rights Commission protects people from unlawful discrimination in housing, state government employment, and public accommodations. Learn more about the HRC here. The Office of Racial Equity provides guidance and oversight to identify and mitigate systemic racism in state government. Learn more about the ORE here. Did you receive this e-mail from a friend? Want to sign yourself up for the remainder of the month? Subscribe to this list here.

Copyright (C) 2023 State of Vermont Office of Racial Equity. All rights reserved.

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