Vermont students to ‘critically examine systems of oppression’ in classroom

The ACT 1 Ethnic and Social Equity Standards working group met online Monday to discuss social justice issues in education policy, including a lengthy debate over what terms to use to describe non-European Americans.

Several prominent social justice activists, including professors, attended from across the state. The effort aims at developing a policy document that will be used for guiding education practices in K-12 schools regarding social justice matters.

The Vermont State Ethnic Studies Framework

The primary document is called the Vermont State Ethnic Studies Framework, which includes four “pedagogical commitments” to specific teaching methods on these issues in Vermont classrooms.

Wikimedia Commons

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE CLASSROOM: The ACT 1 Ethnic and Social Equity Standards working group met Monday to examine the State Ethnic Studies Framework, which would implement several controversial positions on social matters into school curricula.

The first part begins by asserting that the current history and social teachings are incomplete. The first pedagogical commitment is to “center the identities, knowledge, histories, experiences of indigenous and racially marginalized students and their communities.”

The second commitment is to “value community cultural wealth and support community actualization” which will include “learning that students, families, and communities of color come from generations of people who have rich intellectual and cultural traditions.”

The third part includes language specifically highlighting white supremacy and structural racism. It aims to “cultivate systems literacy to understand and change the impact of racism and intersectional forms of oppression on racially marginalized communities.” This includes “learning how systems work to critically examine systems of oppression and exclusion (i.e. white supremacy, patriarchy, heteronormativity, ableism, classism, institutional and structural racism, etc.).”

The fourth seeks to “uplift collective liberation, well-being, and joy,” which includes “acknowledging that we have a social responsibility to address the ways systemic racism, poverty, and intersectional oppressions have caused harm to all communities.”

LGBTQ under attack in schools?

One participant at the meeting was Amanda Garces, director of policy, education and outreach for the Vermont Human Rights Commission. She asserted that disciplinary action occurring at schools is often “based on [the student’s] skin color.”

“When I think about this work, when I think of the language that we use, it’s always the way that the students have been disciplined based on their skin color or disabilities, the way that groups are attacking our LGBTQ,” Garces said.

She claimed that black students and students with disabilities in Vermont are 2-3 times more likely to be suspended, and that “the LGBTQ don’t feel safe in the schools.”

Even positive stereotypes are suspect of being racist

Cynthia Reyes, the associate dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs of UVM’s College of Education and Social Services, also attended the session. She suggested that Asians are likely held in a high regard by white people as part of a “tool of white supremacy.”

“I think of the Asian as being referred to as a certain stereotype, a model minority kind of Asian who’s propped up as being successful, and really that is a tool of white supremacy,” she said.

Reyes added she has concerns for minority students.

“That’s just because of my experiences living in Vermont,” she said, which is a really interesting experience to have, because I’ve never really thought of it as much when I lived in Chicago.”

Too many acronyms

At one point in the meeting, a lengthy discussion took place over which terms and acronyms were preferable when referencing various minority groups.

Xusana Davis, the state’s first director of racial equity, expressed frustration with the often shifting terms used to identify minority groups.

“We’re kind of on this euphemism treadmill, right?” Davis said. “We don’t like calling people colored anymore but we’re OK with ‘people of color.’ We invent new and exciting terms it feels like twice a year to describe people who are not white.”

By the end of the meeting, participants decided that debate will continue into future meetings. There was some general agreement that “people of color” will be the place-holder term for the time being.

Davis warned against always trying to use the most popular terms.

“I find that one thing I really want to stay away from is trendy terms,” she said. “All the new and emerging terms — I mean now people are calling me BIPOC, and it’s just like there’s a new acronym every week, and it’s hard to keep up with.”

Michael Bielawski is a reporter for True North. Send him news tips at bielawski82@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TrueNorthMikeB.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

50 thoughts on “Vermont students to ‘critically examine systems of oppression’ in classroom

  1. Here is some real oppression going on, surely in Vermont schools….

    https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/alaska-dad-school-board-book

    Watch at 1:05….this is how to calmly, politely conduct yourself before a board. There are many people in Vermont would gladly standup against this nonsense.

    You may note. this is considered a class c felony. If we had any justice in this state, there would be prosecutions being done immediately.

    This is a classic example of how to defeat them by just exposing them and not letting THEM frame the conversation. When the issue is framed properly and with full truth and light, the people will see they hypocrisy and you will win hearts and minds.

    We have to be wiser than snakes and more innocent than doves.

    • As a former school board member, I think everyone should watch as much of this Alaska school board meeting as they can. It’s an excellent example of the public-school governance process, regardless of the specific pornographic topic emphasized. By its nature, that of being one-size-fits-all, school board policies, combined with the collective bargaining agreements between districts and unions, render decision-making extremely cumbersome, to say the least. For anyone to think a community can come to an agreement on any specific policy is pure delusion. No two people, let alone a school board, can possibly serve the individual parental and student needs in a diverse community except to homogenize them. The public-school monopoly is the antithesis of the liberty and freedom prescribed in our rule of law – which is evident in the agenda discussion of this video. The only way a monopolized public school system can exist in its current form is to overthrow the U.S. Constitution. And, clearly, that is what it is doing.

  2. I have been involved with the Windsor County Republican Committee since 2010 and chaired it for 2 years. I read what the people write on here and could easily be encouraged about the future of this state, because the input here shows the true problems that we deal with year after year, however when the committee meetings are held to organize and plan ways to deal with the issues not enough people show up to say that a meeting was held. I know that those of you on here have it figured out that the Republican Party is a lost cause. Uniparty. I do wish that our party did have some unity. If we did then maybe we could organize our towns and get some people on the ballots and fight the fight that needs to be fought. Since I have been part of the committee I have not had one run in with a democrat, but you can be sure that I have had more than my share of spats with know it all Republicans. I wish it were different. Of the 150 house seats in the state house republicans ran 90 in 2022 and got 38 elected. Maybe some support from those of you with all the answers would help.

    • Mr. Perry: James Madison warned that the “… zeal for different opinions … divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good.”

      It is in our human nature. It is why ‘checks and balances’ are built into our Constitution in every way possible. It is why we are cautioned to limit government whenever we can. It is why the Constitution does everything possible to protect individual freedom of choice. It is what Free Enterprise is all about.

      Most of us are averse to being in government. If I were to run for office, it would only be to do as little as possible. To provide a vehicle only for the common defense and a judiciary for the redress of the inevitable grievances that occur in the exercise of freedom that inevitably infringe on common law. That’s it. I have no interest in telling anyone how to run their lives. My only interest is to enter into those relationships that demonstrate mutual benefit without imposing on the rights of others. Again, Free Enterprise.

      As Milton Friedman opined – “The great virtue of a free-market system is that it does not care what color people are; it does not care what their religion is; it only cares whether they can produce something you want to buy. It is the most effective system we have discovered to enable people who hate one another – to deal with one another – and help one another.”

      And as Ben Franklin opined, we have a Republic, if we can keep it. And it will end in despotism only when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.

      The Milgram Experiments, conducted in the 1960s, demonstrate the human tendency to increase the assertion of authority over others, especially when accountability is absent. As the Nazis in the Nuremberg trials asserted, they were just following orders. Today, our government officials are just serving the public. And their atrocities are beginning to resemble those of WWII.

      The only answer I can offer you is that we get the government we deserve. And it is best that we do what we can to avoid tyranny, not become part of it.

      • Agree with it all Jay..
        It’s all part of our survival instinct- and the more we feel threatened, the more that is going to kick in- and perhaps that is why we are where we’re at today.
        It is human instinct and over half this nation is not happy at all with what we’re being forced to endure.

        We finally got one of our own elected on the school board in my heavily Democrat area (heavily Democrat because we’ve been invaded by outta staters) and the guy is censured darn near every time he weighs in.
        It’s horrible.. they are on this poor fella like wild animals for attempting to do largely what you just described.
        Who wants to do this job with their precious time- and how can we feel good electing people for this!?

        They’ve made a clear example of this guy and those that elected him– it’s not unlike just what happened to Donald Trump actually- who we had the audacity to elect.

        I’m glad Mr.Parry has had such a wonderful experience with his fellow Democrats- perhaps it’s because he agrees with them too much and his own party is holding him accountable.. which he interprets as “spats with know it alls.”
        I’m just guessing- it’s not like we’ve not seen plenty of that.
        I mean there is a reason afterall why things have declined to the state he describes.

        \\

          • Mr. Parry – I mean. And perhaps I’ve misunderstood his political affiliation. He may be an Independent.

          • Because, Joy, Mr. Parry was discussing those who “… figured out that the Republican Party is a lost cause.”

            I just wanted to be sure I didn’t incorrectly characterize him. And I too am not one to worry so much with which party one is affiliated… unless of course it matters to you.

        • Stone: Mr. Parry has stated that he is on the REPUBLICAN committee. I haven’t seen another post of his so, I will assume he hasn’t posted.

          So here he is a first time poster (maybe not) and you make up sh*t about him like – he is a Dem – JUST SO YOU CAN ATTACK HIM.

          Did you become an over-the-top Repub because you are crazy or did you become crazy because you are a Repub?

          By the why didn’t you and Eshelman ask Mr. Parry how he labels himself politically instead of gossiping about him here? Nothing here has been more mean-spirited and disrespectful than the bullies who cross-talk about another poster.

    • Hey Rich,

      The folks in Barre seem to get it, they are pretty well put together ( I abhor using the word “organized” even though accurate)……perhaps you’re in a very deep blue are like many of us.

      The whole idea of getting people to run, is wrong. Here’s why. If you are in a deep blue area, anyone knows there is slim chance of winning. We are in a cancel culture, short of nailing people to a maple tree we aren’t far from the Roman times. So you are asking someone to risk their career, with a high probability of losing, plus the party isn’t going to back them with money, people and support because it doesn’t exist, like you mention.

      Once you get a working team, get small victories, and work other areas…..you’ll see more help. Getting people to run for the sake of running is really stupid, people aren’t set up to win either…..so they become cannon fodder. Good people laying on the field in a pulp.

      However, there are many of us who have a will support others in areas that might win. You have to pick your battles and not be cannon fodder. This is where you build a team. We can’t play in the major leagues, make ” a sweeping change” in Vermont, we don’t even have enough people to play the game.

      We do have enough people to start making some serious change. We do have many, many people that know what is going on. There is a serious conflicting messaging problem within, it’s a fact not a criticism. There is no game plan, it’s the same for the last 20 years.

      In Washington county, home of capital, home of governor, went to a meeting. They didn’t even have voting lists. They didn’t have names. That’s the only important thing they could have. You can’t say the governor doesn’t know how to run a campaign, so what gives, it could be modeled like him at the very least.

      When your friend has broccoli in their teeth or poppy seeds, you say something. If you don’t care about somebody, you don’t say anything. These people care about Vermont, the Constitution and the party that is supposed to be defending…well they both are.

    • Shame on you Mr. Parry, for working with the enemy!!! Don’t you know you are suppose to spread hate>

      So how helpful was Eshelman’s post?

      As for the other comments, darting throwing is the expectation. You have to post with armor on.

      There greatest skill is blaming others. Shocking how much they call out others for the same.

      Sad how much they hate people.

      • Okay, Joy (now there’s a contradiction of terms). Let’s talk about you for a moment. That seems to be all you want to do. Enough of our trying to understand your logic and explaining ourselves and our political position on various issues to you. I’m beginning to think you enjoy the vitriol… throwing darts, blaming others, spreading hate. After all, if you can’t handle the echo, why do you continue to return to the chamber?

      • Jay, just watched this video……IT’s even worse if you could believe that.

        he’s talking about “a legally protected health care activitiy” and you can’t sue and you will be sued for bringing a lawsuit in protection of yourself.

        What might also fall under this? Vaccines? What about if they pass and our traitors agree to follow the healthcare mandates from WHO….

        He’s “talking to the 24 republicans”…..this just proves, we are all uniparty. To their credit we have the biggest cancel culture since the Roman Empire, so it’s understandable people might be concerned about their self preservation….but what about our souls? Has pfizer bought all of them?

        Best video out, it should be a lead story here and on Vermont Daily Chronicle, we really need to be wiser than the snakes we’re dealing with. They are pretty clever.

        • I’ve heard rumors that some of those who voted for this bill didn’t read it. At least that is their excuse at this time. It is a more and more typical example of the gross dereliction of duty occurring in our legislature, in my humble opinion.

    • Jay: There is nothing more important that you will ever say or do on this site that is more important than sharing this video!! I am grateful. This is my issue. I didn’t get the guy’s name but I will get in touch with him via his email.

      Recently, you and another poster suggested that Dem and Repub politics are irreconcilable. I don’t want to be believe that. This is an issue where our differences can’t overshadow are humanity and the wellbeing of children.

      What’s been on my mind all week is that the UVMMC announced it is petitioning the ‘Health Care Board’ for a new 130ish million dollar surgery building in So. Burlington. In their own words, they are planning ahead for the surgeries coming down the pike (profiteers). Meanwhile, also in the news, the Legislature moved to protect trans surgery providers from lawsuits. Exactly, what the video mentioned.

      I think TNR needs to give the video greater exposure that doesn’t require clicking on a different story to get access to it. I hope you are seeing this TNR.

      The video belongs on public access tv. Needs to be shown in ALL public spaces – libraries, colleges, etc. Some brainstorming and organizing is needed.

      The one thing I didn’t like about the video was his dramatization at times.

      I’m not saying the pictures shouldn’t be shown but, just like the pro-life placards of aborted fetuses, I don’t think they are effective. These aren’t quite like that though. I think that may stay on peoples minds more than those placards.

      I think comparing trans surgery to female mutilation is exactly right but, much worse. FM was and likely still is happening in VT. Theirs are the stories Vermonters need to hear.

  3. Vermont is the tip of the iceberg, we are the lab rat, the guinea pig for what is working in our nation. It is clear our children are not safe in this state. It is clear there is only one way to solve our problem, we can’t save ourselves, this is clear.

    We’ve developed a self-righteous attitude, a prideful thought that we are perfect and “everybody” else is wrong. If we are at all self-reflective, we know well none of us have loved our neighbor, let alone our enemies.

    It’s much like the parable of the Good Samaritan. To which they have twisted, to make themselves feel self-righteous, by one act or deed, by laws and someone else’s money.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXmKQ52ByUM

    This is our problem in Vermont, we are controlled by a spirit that is not in our best interest. We need to change our direction

    • Johnson: Don’t you ever tire of your self-righteous Bible thumping. And don’t you see the contradiction between all your mean-spirited, name-calling, labeling and sarcasm and it?

      • Nope not at all, bible rocks. I’m a sinner, not sure whom I called a name above, though I have in the past. Yes as I said, I have not loved my neighbor as I should.

        Bible rocks, 24/7/365 day a week, hopefully I never tire of it.

        Great practical book, aside from the biggest benefit.

        When you have the Holy Spirit, there is peace, love and joy. All things I wish for you. I ask in The name of Jesus Christ, king of kings.

  4. I challenge anyone of you, or all of you, to submit your views on this to VTDigger. I know it is more likely than not, that they wouldn’t print it but, I think it is worth the try.

    Given the context, it would be exciting reading. And oh the responses!!

    Accept anyone?

    • We did, they cut off all commentary years ago…..some call it censorship. They wouldn’t print rebuttals in commentary. They tamped down commentary, they censored and reviewed all commentary before allowing it to go up.

      Joy you are incredibly smart, honestly look for the truth, you’ll be surprised. I didn’t realize it was you whom I was arguing and debating……you are way smarter….cheers. We aren’t your enemy; we are your brothers and sisters.

    • Joy, there is a whole lot more that goes on than what you are aware.
      And it’s been going on for far more time than you are aware of- you might consider this point when you come here and tell us that we are not doing anything- or enough.
      None of us just fell off the turnip truck.
      Many of us are lifers in this- and we’re not young anymore.

      I recall the days when Digger used Disqus and people were actually *allowed*to converse over there- until they began going full on Totalitarian Freakazoids.

      You’re looking a huge part of the VTDigger comment section right here now- enjoying actual ‘dangerous’ Free Speech as is our Constitutional Right- since we were all moderated (and not posted) then banned, then entirely shut down over at the Digger.
      We’ve been at this for a long time now -and there is quite a back story.

      Darn near everything we say here is entirely opposing the assigned narrative that Digger brainwashes Vermont with.
      In fact, I blame that site for a whole lot of the problems that Vermont is plagued with today.
      I have personally had many phone calls with the people running that place and they have zero interest in hearing a single thing we have to say.
      Do you think we all just sat there and did nothing as we were literally silenced?

      • I do believe Stone, that this is your attempt to be civil with me.

        I’ve heard your complaint about Digger before and I have had some experience with their censorship myself. So I agree with you, Digger is a big part of the problem. It has certainly crossed my mine to publicly protest in front of their office. Just today speaking about it on public access tv comes to mind.

        Still, I was shocked to come to this site only to read the most idiotic, name-calling statements. I was majorly turned off.

        • Joy you are addressing me by my last name when my first name is clearly right there.
          Your addressing people this way is uncivilized and yet you want to be treated yourself with civility- in a non-patronizing manner as you shout people down by their last names.

          You have called me several names and now you are complaining about name calling- as you do this yourself.

          I’m glad you are here Joy, I’m glad that you recognize problems and that you are putting in the work to try and create change.
          That is nothing but admirable..

          But I think that you should understand that we are all likely going to see things wildly different than you do, the Left and the Right no longer even speak the same language anymore. We can’t even agree on what a woman is anymore.
          So I expect you’ll be “majorly turned off” quite often at this site full of “idiotic name calling statements” that yet you continue now to return too.
          Hopefully we won’t continue to feel the brunt of your major turnoff.

          • You have projected a lot of falsehoods on me, just picked them out of the air to satisfy your mean-spirited sarcasm. What’s worse than that? You will remain Stone to me, if not B.
            Come on, who’s doing the shouting?
            I’m VERY sure you are not glad I am here. And I couldn’t care less.
            Maybe you shouldn’t read my comments.
            But no, who would you have to throw darts at?

  5. For over 50 years, liberal-minded thinkers have flocked to education as a career. For over 50 years we have witnessed the slow decline of important skills in our children, as things they really need to know are no longer taught by these same liberal minded teachers. US History displaced by “social studies”.
    Competency in basic math dismissed, to move students thru the system. Parents that dismissed their responsibilities as parents to insure a good education- all done with the assurance that government run schools could and would do a better job. For all but the most highly motivated students, we have failed them with this approach- and now those liberal minded in education want to include racism and “systemic racism” in the causation of the mess created. “systemic racism” requires “systems”. I would remind all that the “systems” have been under liberal control for half a century.
    xusana davis is but one of thousands of race grifters, profiting and making race baiting a career. DBean, in his comment above really does have a solution- pay attention to what Thomas Sowell writes and says. Sowell’s ideas and writings if followed show the path out of the race and poverty game for those that choose it. He should know, he did it himself.

  6. Re: ‘critically examine systems of oppression’ in classroom”

    The classroom IS the system of oppression.

    • And anyone who tries to hold these government institutions accountable in the courts will be deemed by House Bill 89 as being guilty of ‘abusive litigation’.

  7. What their finally going to learn about our fascist government oppressing the poor taxpayers???? Ops sorry of course its all about race baiting….
    It’s been 157 years either blame the real culprits, blacks in Africa who kidnapped and made the slaves available for sale or blame the democrats who were the KKK and plantation owners…….Revisionist history is misinformation and indoctrination.

    • perhaps the Kids should be made better aware of quotes by the Great Black Author and Economist Thomas Sowell who was spot on and shows the future of teaching racism.

      ” Ours may become the first civilization Destroyed, not by the powers of our enemy’s, but by the ignorance of our teachers and the dangerous nonsense they are teaching our children”

  8. “…aims to ‘cultivate systems literacy to understand and change the impact of racism and intersectional forms of oppression on racially marginalized communities.’…”

    How about we just focus on literacy? You want to help our kids, and erase barriers for success? Try preparing them to succeed. Vermont is failing in English, Math and Science, with no grade tested even reaching a fifty percent competency level. Our schools are failing, our teachers are failing, Vermont is failing, despite having the second highest school expenditures per capita in the nation.

  9. I agree with all the commenters.

    Lets not forget that part of the goal here is to demoralize and break down the peace in Vermont by getting everyone at each others throats. “Divided We Fall” remember– so they work non-stop to divide us.

    These people are trying to say that because Vermont is largely all white- this must be because all the Vermonters are racists. (and I guess we are here in NH too and so are the Mainers, how odd that we are all so racist huh?)
    Nothing could be further from the truth.
    They are agitators and this is yet another distraction from the serious and pressing issues that they are trying to pull off on the people- as they look at this giant squirrel -Or Balloons.

    • I want to expand on my own comment here, I just remembered something that I listened to today that is quite relevant here.

      I listened to radio program today, Hugh Hewitt was interviewing Peter Thiel.
      This was one of those interviews that was so good that I sat in my car at the grain store to continue listening.

      Mr.Thiel said that this nation is in far more danger from Communist China than we understand and a great deal of what we are hearing and dealing with is really what is Chinese Propaganda- carried out by bought and paid for puppets.

      Follow the money on this entire “Racism” agenda okay- see where that all goes too.
      Then think of that as a dust cloud being kicked up so that CHINA can then get a whole lot of other stuff that is in their best interest done and passed as we are in blind and lost in the dust cloud they kicked up.. THAT is what is going on here in many ways Mr.Thiel explained,
      We are being distracted by all sorts of non-issues and fake problems to divert our attentions off the tasks at hand.

      This lengthy, in depth interview today with Hugh Hewitt interviewing Peter Thiel on a wide range of current topics was a truly fascinating conversation, it’s available on podcast through Hugh Hewitt. I highly recommend tracking that down and listening. It’s so good that High even had a written transcript of it made for people that prefer to read.
      I don’t have a link- I recall Hugh telling us this. He aired over an hour of the interview on his show today but the interview went on for another hour- that is on the podcast.

        • That interview with Peter Thiel was scary as heck Jay.
          And I have to laugh at the useless idiots that push this- I have no idea what they think they’ll gain in the end- special status of some sort?
          Clearly they have no idea how this all really works.
          When we say “They always eat their own” this is not a joke.
          They’ll all be taken down when their usefulness is over.
          These people are even taking Joe Biden down right now..

  10. What a disgusting dumpster full of crap! The speakers managed to include all of the necessary ingredients to create a word salad that even Kamala Harris would envy. Judging people solely based upon their skin color and labeling all BIPOCs as victims and all whites as guilty beyond a doubt is the absolute essence of racism. Vermont is no longer racing to insanity, it has already arrived. My ancestors who settled this state must surely be demanding from beyond the grave that their names be removed from all of the historical records of this little socialist paradise.

  11. I think Davis is having an excruciating time justifying her salary in current times of extreme economical, mental and addiction difficulties many Vermonters are experiencing. When the gravy train of federal money will stop, perhaps the taxpayer money spending in Vermont will finally need some serious justification. Debating about the right terminology to describe a Vermonter is not a serious justification. Davis’ divisiveness is nothing short of appalling.

  12. How about not balkanizing people into defined special interest groups and antagonizing them against one another? Teach them math. Teach them literature, American and world history. Economics. And, most important, critical thinking. We’re Americans. Educate us. Unite us. Don’t indoctrinate on issues, debate them rationally, not dogmatically. Teams are assigned, the subject is known, and you don’t know whether your team has to support it or oppose it until you sit down for the debate. The competition compels cooperation and critical thinking.

  13. Vermont is insane. And evil. Leave, if you can. Otherwise, get your kids into a private religious school. Vermont government schools will destroy their souls.

  14. African-, European-, Asian-, Indigenous Americans. Not so difficult. Even easier if you just consider everyone as Americans, particularly as mixing it up has been going on for millennia. PS: Most people are “marginalized”, scrabbling for crumbs from the table.

  15. Latinx Xusana doesn’t want to be called BIPOC? She sounds confused about her own racist terminology. She certainly isn’t ADOS….

    This is all just racism — judging people based solely on skin color; categorizing people solely based on racial heritage. And the audacity to claim that the success of Asian Americans is a product of white supremacy….. Of course it is: anything that factually displays the folly of Critical Race Theory (which, remember, Vermont school authorities assured Vermonters was NOT being taught in schools) must be perverted. Is there ANY evidence that this Chicago speculation is anything other than laughable tripe?

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