Rural Realities

Author: Crystal Belle

When most folks think of Vermont, images of pastoral countryside, cows and, yes, Caucasians, come to mind. As a Brooklyn born-and-bred black woman new to Vermont, I often compare my current rural surroundings -- rustic cottages among rich, fertile farms -- to my typical urban setting of crowded subways and polluted sidewalks. In that respect, being of African descent leads me to wonder how black history is recognized in rural Vermont. Is there black history in the Green Mountain State, where blacks make up a mere 0.5 percent of the resident population of 616,592 people? Much to my surprise, after some research I discovered astonishing facts concerning historical black figures in Vermont as well as Black History Month celebrations currently in progress.
As white and bucolic as Vermont may seem, it has a small, yet significant, array of cultures -- an American Indian population of 0.4 percent, an Asian population of 0.9 percent and a Hispanic/Latino population of 0.9 percent. Africans, followed later by African-Americans, have been coming to Vermont since colonial times to live and work. How about a quick quiz on Vermont black history? Did you know that Vermont was the first American territory to abolish slavery in 1777? Or did you know that the first African-American to graduate from an American college (Alexander Twilight, Middlebury College Class of 1823) was from Vermont? If you find this interesting, you should further investigate black history in Vermont. You may learn stimulating and educational facts revealing the state's hidden truths.
As I investigated current Black History Month celebrations in Vermont, I was pleased to find many events taking place at the state's colleges. At the University of Vermont, these events included screenings of African-American films, along with lectures on topics ranging from slavery to black ghettoes across the United States. St. Michael's College also hosted a range of activities, notably a panel discussion on the Harlem Renaissance. Interestingly, both the University of Vermont and St. Michael's College are located in the heart of Burlington, the largest city in Vermont. Burlington boasts a more urban vibe, unlike many other areas of Vermont, such as Middlebury. You are probably wondering how predominantly white Middlebury has decided to celebrate Black History Month. There were lectures that touched on topics from affirmative action to hip-hop, and a luncheon featuring Francois Clemmons and his choir, for which, there was a marginal turnout. Does this indicate a lack of interest among the Middlebury College community in black history and black affairs? I leave the answer up to you. Consider the state's motto: Peace and Unity.