Ways of seeing: We must all learn our *real* history

Unless you have been living under a complete media blackout for the last six weeks, you’ve probably heard of Critical Race Theory and the latest efforts to keep it out of U.S. K-12.But do you know what Critical Race Theory is? I wanted to make sure I had the correct definition, so I turned to good old Wikipedia. There, CRT is defined as “an academic movement of civil rights scholars and activists in the United States who seek to critically examine the law as it intersects with issues of race and to challeng … (read more)

This letter is from three women in Addison County who are all good friends, and who work together on a number of campaigns to promote equity and anti-racism in Vermont. Two of us are Jewish and one of us has many Jewish family members. Last week we baked … (read more)

When I first moved to Vermont, a dear friend of mine on the West Coast sent me a novel. “Everyone in our town is reading this,” she told me, “We all love it.” The novel, “Outlander,” told the story of an army nurse who, while having a romantic holiday in … (read more)

I was fortunate enough to meet Esther Thomas shortly after she moved to Middlebury, and I am thrilled that she is running for a seat on the Middlebury selectboard. Esther has shown herself to be one of those people who looks for ways to be of service by b … (read more)

Vermont’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases, and subsequent restrictions are scary and sad. It’s Thanksgiving week, and I’m proud of all my friends who are choosing to stay home with immediate family only, instead of risking larger gatherings that we know wi … (read more)

Have you ever read a book that taught you so much and moved you so much that you wanted to wave it around and get everybody you know to read it? This happened to me when I read the book “Chasing the Scream,” by Johann Hari. This book documents the origins … (read more)

The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Tony McDade at the hands of police officers have prompted a summer of protests, vigils and demonstrations in cities and small towns across the country. Here in Addison County, many residents put toge … (read more)

It’s Week Ten of The Quarantine and I am obsessed with bread. I apologize in advance to anyone who doesn’t tolerate gluten, you may not enjoy this column. Back when things were regular, when a trip to buy groceries didn’t feel life threatening, I wasn’t m … (read more)

We would like to thank the estimated 375 fellow citizens who joined us on the Cross Street Bridge, on very short notice, for Saturday evening’s vigil for Black Lives. Collectively, we bore witness to the sadness and outrage we felt on hearing of the killi … (read more)

You have probably heard that the singular “They” pronoun was the Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s Word of the Year for 2019. But in case you’ve been too busy putting away holiday decorations (or in my case, freezing several gallons of turkey stock after simme … (read more)

In September of 2018, a 30-year-old, off-duty police officer in Dallas, Texas, named Amber Guyger mistakenly entered her neighbor’s apartment, instead of her own. Guyger’s apartment was on the third floor, but she entered the apartment of her neighbor, Bo … (read more)

Back in August, WomenSafe marked Advocacy Week by celebrating our fabulous advocates who do so much to support people in our community who are experiencing domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking. WomenSafe dreams of a world where violence against … (read more)

I write regarding the recent editorial by Bill Schubart called “Imagine If Vermont Got Immigration Right.” I appreciate many of the points he made. But I want to draw your attention to the last sentence, “There are those among us who choose to forget that … (read more)

On July 28, I was arrested in Williston, Vt., for blocking a road outside the ICE Data Center. This unassuming brick building is the home of a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week hotline, where United States citizens can report their undocumented neighbors. About 4 … (read more)