Ways of Seeing: Who are our actual criminals?

Recently I read a statistic that really blew my mind. If you add up all the theft that happens in the U.S. annually, shoplifting, car break-ins, robberies, burglaries, the total amount is not even 4% of what employers steal from workers each year.

Letter to the editor: Criticizing Israeli regime is not antisemitism

I would like to offer another (Jewish) perspective on the Apartheid Free Communities measure on the Vergennes town meeting ballot.

Local project that pays people of color to do yoga is thriving

In 2020, Joanna Colwell launched a radical program at her yoga studio in Middlebury. The Yoga Equity Project would pay people of color to take classes there. The idea was to make Otter Creek Yoga a more inclusive space by breaking down two of the barriers … (read more)

Ways of Seeing: Crises showing our vulnerability

Have you heard of the Thin Veneer Theory? This is the idea that underneath a thin layer of civility, inside we are all selfish brutes. Veneer Theory holds that in times of crisis, such as a natural disaster, people will be violent and harmful in order to … (read more)

Ways of Seeing: Harris should apply Leahy Law

It’s a rainy Monday afternoon in Ripton, and outside I hear crickets chirping. Tonight is the beginning of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and my heart is with the protesters calling for Kamala Harris to end all arms sales to Israel.

Ways of Seeing: ‘His will that every need be supplied’

If you ask me how I am doing these days, I don’t know how to answer. My heart is breaking for Palestine. And my heart is breaking for American Jews, many of whom have dear friends and family in Israel, who are longing for safety and security.

Ways of Seeing: Let’s connect the dots for peace

It has now been more than six months since the Hamas attack of October 7, and about six months since Israel began raining bombs onto the people of Gaza.

Vermonters join march for peace

Joanna Colwell and Lindsey Berk have for years faithfully rallied around humanitarian and environmental causes at the local level.

Ways of Seeing: On preventing future suffering

I taught my first yoga classes over thirty years ago, when my teacher and mentor Gayna took her annual two-month long winter trip to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, and asked me to fill in for her while she was away.

Letter to the editor: Human rights must apply to everyone

The recent killing of three hostages by the Israeli military makes it even more clear that war has never been and will never be the answer.

Ways of Seeing: Challah bread for the senator

Yesterday, Peter Welch joined the call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and today we will be bringing him a fresh loaf of challah bread to say thank you.

Ways of Seeing: Time to improve your apology skills

Every day seems to bring a new revelation of a public person behaving badly and then botching their apology. Why is saying “I’m sorry” so very difficult?

Letter to the editor: ACSD must to more to prevent acts of racism

I was sad but not a bit surprised to learn of the overt racism Esther Charlestin experienced during her year as Dean of Culture and Climate at Middlebury Union Middle School. 

Ways of Seeing: Celebrating all the rainbows

It’s okay to have questions about queerness and trans identities. Most of us have been raised to understand the world in terms of a gender binary.

Ways of Seeing: Trauma prevention is a real priority

I think about trauma a lot, because I earn my living working with people’s bodies, and the body is where unresolved trauma lives.

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