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DAY 20: FIGHT, BUT ALSO FROLIC

Today is World Day of Social Justice. This observance is intended to bring international communities together to eliminate discrimination based on poverty, gender, ability, literacy, race, or religion. The 2023 theme of this annual observance is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice,” which is defined by the United Nations as being focused on “rising inequalities, conflicts and weakened institutions that are meant to protect the rights of workers.” We say this often, but it bears repeating: There is a collective benefit to equity. The list above represents factors or identities that may not remain the same throughout a person’s life. For example, most humans will develop disabilities as they age. Many people who experience poverty do not experience it their whole lives. Others may discover later in life that their racial group may not be what they thought it was. Whatever the case, it is important to remember that equity and inclusion truly benefit everyone. Think of the Curb-Cut Effect as one example. What are some of the ways in which you benefit from policies that were intended to make things more inclusive for others?

The answers are A, E, G, I, J, K, M (Viola Davis, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Harry Belafonte, and Quincy Jones). Whoopi Goldberg was the first Black performer ever to receive this distinction, and Viola Davis was the most recent addition to the club (she just won a Grammy award 15 days ago!).

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Pop Quiz question about language prominence…

TOMORROW 2/21 – “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 twice: [1] On Tuesday Feb 21st from 9:00-10:00 a.m. [2] 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

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

This Week’s Raffle

Each week, we will draw 5 names from the list of those who signed up for this e-mail series. We hope you win (yes, you!). The drawings are random; we use the True Random Number Service, which will pick 5 numbers each week from the sign-up list. You don’t need to do anything from here—we’ll e-mail you if you’re a lucky winner.

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.