DAY 14: LOVE AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE

Today is commonly referred to as Valentine’s Day, the day on which St. Valentine is honored around the world. This observance is commonly associated with romantic love and the ritualistic purchase of greeting cards, roses, chocolates, and commercial goods that are pink and red colored. Aside from this conspicuous consumption, the underlying story of the patron saint is less commonly known: Valentine was canonized as a saint after being martyred for disobeying a decree that forbade conducting marriages. Valentine continued to perform marriages and also ministering to persecuted Christians. As a result, he is now associated with the concept of love.

Saint Valentine was martyred because he defied the orders of the emperor and dared to be a clergyman for all. Today, we acknowledge what it means to rebel in the name of love by sharing the inspiring words of two remarkable Black scholars: bell hooks and Dr. Mae Jemison.

"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations." -Dr. Mae Jemison

“The word ‘love’ is most often defined as a noun, yet all the more astute theorists of love acknowledge that we would all love better if we used it as a verb.” -bell hooks

Never Stop Loving

Photo of Richard and Mildred Loving

Poster for the 2016 film “Loving”

Speaking of banned marriages, have you seen the film chronicling the story of Loving v. Virginia? Watch the trailer for the film that illustrates the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, who were sentenced to a year in prison for marrying each other. Why? Because Richard was White and Mildred was Black in a time and place where it was illegal to marry between races. Their case was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that laws banning interracial marriage violate the Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Film: Loving (2016)

Sometimes Love Hurts

Building resilience

Here’s a detailed article with five strategies to build resilience. Reflect on how many of these you employ and share them with others to continue building strong communities.

READ IT HERE

What we really love is hearing from YOU

Since we began this 28-day BHM series, we have enjoyed hearing your feedback on each day’s contents. Several of you have educated us with new and fascinating information. Here are some of the things you’ve shared with us over the last two weeks:

On Day 1, we shared a presidential proclamation that referenced the 13th Amendment. In response, Rick shared that there’s important context to understanding the 13th Amendment, including the fact that it still permits slavery through prison labor, and shared this link to further information: Lawmakers Seek to End Slavery
On Day 3, we highlighted Phillis Wheatly. In response, Rick shared the exciting news that a previously unknown poem of Wheatley’s was recently found. Learn more about the discovery here: UAlbany Professor Finds New Poem by Famed Early American Poet Phillis Wheatley

On Day 9, we shared a quote and photo of Shirley Chisholm. In response, Corbett told us about how it felt to work on Shirley’s campaign in the midwest.
Liz shared an insightful article that discusses Black management practices and the ways in which they teach us about business success. Read it here: Black business history reveals potent management lessons
William shared an article that profiles Carter Godwin Woodson, the founder of Black History Month. Read it here: Why February is Black History Month

Yesterday’s Pop Quiz

Yesterday, we asked you “Where was hip-hop invented?” Here’s how you answered:

The answer is C. Bronx stand up! Hip-hop was first experienced at a house party in an apartment building on Sedgwick Ave & Cedar Park on August 11th, 1973. That’s why in the U.S., August 11th is National Hip-Hop Celebration Day. In fact, the City of New York renamed a portion of Sedgwick Avenue “Hip Hop Boulevard” in 2016. Hip-hop and rap has had such a big impact on New York that in 2018, the City renamed St. James Place in Brooklyn “Christopher Wallace Way,” and that same year they renamed the Vanderbilt Ave and Targee St cross-street “Wu-Tang Clan District.” Later in 2021, the City renamed the intersection of Fordham Rd and Grand Concourse “Big Pun Plaza.”

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Pop Quiz question about unity in times of crisis…

Coming up

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

TOMORROW 2/15 – LitClub History Present & Future Feature

What: A space to share poetry and build community, featuring Black creatives.

Logistics: This event is being held on Wednesday Feb 15th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Radio Bean, located at 8 North Winooski Ave. in Burlington.

2/16 – “Soul Food: Honoring Black Voices in Music”

What: A late-night musical experience that “honors Black music of yesterday and today.”

Logistics: This free event is being held on Feb 16th from 9:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. at Club Metronome, located at 188 Main St. in Burlington. Learn more here: Soul Food

2/17 – Black Artist Showcase

What: A space to share poetry and build community, featuring Black creatives.

Logistics: This event is being held twice: [1] On Friday Feb 10th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Venetian Soda Lounge, located at 266 Pine St. Suite #122 in Burlington. [2] On Friday Feb 17th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Kru Coffee, located at 2 Church Street in Burlington.

2/18 – Black History Month event at Rabble Rouser

What: A celebration of local Black performers and artists during an all-day function. The event will include a photo-story project titled ‘I Am Vermont Too;” performances from artists including Khalilah Rose, Freedom seeds, and Rajnii Eddins; a jewelry showcase by SoulSimone; Colombian food; and live music.

Logistics: This event is being held on Saturday Feb 18th from 2:00-10:00 p.m. at Rabble Rouser, located at 64 Main St. in Montpelier. Free to people of color; everyone else is encouraged to donate.

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.

This Week’s Raffle

Congratulations to this week’s winners: Lauren, Geera, Daniel, Melissa, and Brenna. They will be receiving prizes that include the items featured below. The next drawing will take place on Tuesday of next week.

Prizes include "Between the world and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a package of coffee from BLK & BOLD, and two tickets to "Undreamed Shores" composed by a VT-based multiracial composer.

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.

Our mailing address is:

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe