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Donkees

(31,084 posts)
Wed May 2, 2018, 04:19 AM May 2018

Beyond Bernie - Searching for Vermont's Political Identity - COMING MAY 9th - Vermont PBS



Examines what makes Vermont a trailblazing progressive force impacting the entire country.

Explore the character of the ‘Brave Little State’ of Vermont and the shared values that matter most to Vermonters, regardless of party affiliation. Although it may be one of the smallest states in the Union in both size and population, it boasts monumental firsts — from abolishing slavery in the 18th century to legalizing civil unions at the beginning of this century. Today, Vermont continues to punch above its weight boasting two presidential candidates in the last 12 years and two high profile senators currently serving in the U.S Senate. Learn what makes Vermont a trailblazing progressive force, not only within its own borders, but one that impacts the entire country.
#beyondbernie

Episodes:
https://www.vermontpbs.org/beyondbernie/


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Beyond Bernie - Searching for Vermont's Political Identity - COMING MAY 9th - Vermont PBS (Original Post) Donkees May 2018 OP
VT is a bastion of the establishment. lapucelle May 2018 #1
hmmmm handmade34 May 2018 #2
We sure try hard to be socially aware janterry May 2018 #6
There aren't many POC there and only one congress member JI7 May 2018 #4
Black Vermonters make up just 1.2% of its population, but 10.7% of its incarcerated. lapucelle May 2018 #5
yes handmade34 May 2018 #8
we do have the distinction... handmade34 May 2018 #7
Vermont PBS Videos: Donkees May 2018 #3

lapucelle

(18,039 posts)
1. VT is a bastion of the establishment.
Wed May 2, 2018, 06:19 AM
May 2018

It's the only state to have never sent a woman to Congress. Has it ever elected a person of color to national office?

 

janterry

(4,429 posts)
6. We sure try hard to be socially aware
Sun May 13, 2018, 09:17 AM
May 2018

Every political discussion I've heard begins with the premise that Vermonters need to be focused on issues related to equality and social justice.

Our biggest problem is population decline and money (lack of industry). We can't fund the things we want without a population base and income.

lapucelle

(18,039 posts)
5. Black Vermonters make up just 1.2% of its population, but 10.7% of its incarcerated.
Sat May 12, 2018, 03:49 PM
May 2018

There seem to be pronounced racial disparities in the criminal justice system in VT.

"Vermont has one of the worst track records when it comes to the criminal justice system. According to Vermonters for Criminal Justice Reform (VCJR) white people are equally as likely to be involved with drugs as black people are, yet, 'on average, black and brown people are incarcerated in Vermont state prisons at a rate 5.1 times higher the imprisonment of whites. Vermont has a higher rate of incarceration of black and brown men than any other state. 1 in 14 black and brown men in the state of Vermont are incarcerated.'”

https://middleburycampus.com/37955/local/vermonts-criminal-justice-system-a-series-unveiling-challenges-practices/

"Almost nowhere in the United States is the racial disparity in incarceration rates more pronounced than in Vermont, where a study by the Sentencing Project found that black people are jailed at a rate more than 10 times greater than those of whites."

http://digital.vpr.net/post/lawmakers-hope-sharpen-focus-racial-justice-vermont#stream/0

handmade34

(22,755 posts)
7. we do have the distinction...
Sun May 13, 2018, 09:55 AM
May 2018

of electing the first AA congress person...

http://www.blackpast.org/aah/twilight-alexander-1795-1857


Reputed to be the first African American in the United States to graduate from college, Alexander Twilight was born on a farm in Corinth, Vermont... The young Alexander was forced to work as an indentured servant on a farm neighboring his parents’ farm from the ages of eight to 21. Nonetheless, he managed to graduate from Middlebury College in 1823, after which he taught school in Peru, New York...

Elected to the Vermont General Assembly in 1836, Twilight became the first African American to serve in a state legislature in the United States.

Donkees

(31,084 posts)
3. Vermont PBS Videos:
Sat May 12, 2018, 11:57 AM
May 2018

Beyond Bernie 1. It’s the Person, not the Party


Beyond Bernie 2. The Eyes of the Nation on Vermont


Beyond Bernie 3. The Next Generation


Beyond Bernie 4. Burlington’s Socialist Mayor


Beyond Bernie 5. …They Ended Up Changing the World



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