Slavery

From VRJA:

Please join us for 5th Annual Vermont First African Landing Day.

This year’s theme of First African Landing Day “Through the Fire” embodies the resilience and strength of American Descendants of Slavery. For over 15 generations Black folks in the United States have consistently triumphed over seemingly insurmountable oppression.

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance’s establishment of First African Landing Day was inspired by the creation of the 400 Year African American History Commission and the 1619 Project. Governor Philip B. Scott’s supporting Proclamation encourages Vermonters to “…expand understanding and appreciation of the significance of the arrival of Africans in the United States and the contributions of African Americans in the United States.” The Governor has proclaimed that the 4th Saturday of August “shall be henceforth recognized and Commemorated as First African Landing Day in Vermont”.

For more information visit: firstafricanlandingvt.org

A montage of footage from past First African Landing Day events in Vermont hosted by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance.

From VRJA:

The commemoration takes place on August 26, 2023, at the Intervale Center and the Richard Kemp Center in Burlington. There will be ethnic food, music, dancing, speakers, exhibits, a youth “Home Base” and a 50 Year tribute to Hip Hop! The legendary Bobby Hackney will be on the main stage and the Keynote Speaker will be our own Dr. Wanda Heading Grant. The Richard Kemp Center will host the Vermont African American History Wall, local African American cultural and art exhibits and the 1619 Traveling Exhibit from Hampton, VA. Activities go from 11:00 till 6:00 PM.  

For more information visit: firstafricanlandingvt.org

From the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance:

Amending the Vermont Constitution is an incredibly long and arduous process. The road to prohibit slavery through this process has been exponentially longer. First, why is Vermont prohibiting slavery if it was already abolished? Second, what was the process that led us here? Finally, what will the impact of prohibiting slavery be in Vermont in moving forward?

Homework: Read Article 1 of the Vermont Constitution (30 seconds)

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance remains committed to prohibiting slavery and indentured servitude in all forms in Vermont. The existing slavery exception clauses in Vermont constitution are NOT symbolic but carry the same weight as any other language in our constitution and therefore MUST be amended with prohibition language. We're grateful that the constitutional amendment process in Vermont (one of the most comprehensive in the nation) has afforded this State the due diligence required for such an important matter. Never having been a State (or nation) where slavery hasn't existed leaves us uncertain of the impact that this constitutional amendment will have over time, but we know that it is morally right to constitutioinally prohibit slavery. We do know that this reprehensible crime against humanity has left us with the insidious monster of systemic racism and we remain committed to eradicating it on all fronts. This constitutional amendment is a part of that process and will serve as a memorial in perpetuity.

From VRJA:

The Vermont Racial Justice Alliance is happy to have the opportunity to bring the 2022 Vermont First African Landing Day program “We’ve Come This Far By Faith." There has been nothing more vital to the persistence and tenacity of American Descendants of Slavery than their faith. Through trials and tribulations and unimaginable adversity, embracing faith has often been the only way forward. Black folks have depended on the church as a place of refuge and a headquarters from which a movement that would change a nation would operate. When we look back over our lives and think things over, most American Descendants of Slavery would agree that nothing short of a miracle has brought us as a people to this point in time. This year, Vermont First African Landing Day highlights and celebrates our faith with the words that echo through the generations, “We’ve Come this Far By Faith!"

This year Vermont First African Landing Day features “Reflections, Acknowledgements and Aspirations,” a panel discussion on where we have come form and where we agree we should be going, 403 years after the landing of the White Lion at Point Comfort!

For more information visit: firstafricanlandingvt.org/2022-program