Celebrating Juneteenth in Vermont

Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation day, recognizes the end of slavery in the United States and honors Black history across the nation. Juneteenth is a long-standing holiday commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, dating back to June 19, 1865.

In 2008, Juneteenth was adopted as a state holiday in Vermont. While it is celebrated in most states and the District of Columbia, the U.S. Congress recently passed a resolution that was signed by the President to establish Juneteenth National Independence Day.

[caption id="attachment_31812" align="aligncenter" width="450"] A solid wood Black Lives Matter sign outside of Green Mountain Club.[/caption]

This year on June 19, our neighboring town of Montpelier—also Vermont’s state capital—will be commemorating Juneteenth with a celebratory evening on the State House Lawn with the theme, Living Liberation. The celebration and reflections will be focused on the word ‘Liberation’ while sharing Black History in Vermont and making space to discuss the continued impacts of systemic racism in the state. This community event will feature speakers and performers from across the state along with food available for pre-order from Black businesses and home cooks. Similar to last year’s event, this casual celebration on the lawn offers opportunities to connect.

In the city of Burlington, Juneteenth will be celebrated all weekend long with musical performances, food vendors, educational opportunities, museum exhibitions, art installations, and fun. The city’s inaugural Juneteenth event is organized by the City's Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and is a chance for all to celebrate Black liberation in the United States both in-person and online to align with current safety protocols.

While Juneteenth is celebrated on June 19, there are opportunities to make our state a welcoming and inclusive place to visit and live by educating yourself on the impacts of racism and also supporting Black-owned businesses throughout Vermont. 

[caption id="attachment_29968" align="aligncenter" width="451"] A panel discussion organized by Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, "Being a BIPOC Artist in Vermont Part 2: The Intersection of Art and Spirituality."[/caption]

Stowe celebrates the influence and contributions of Black Americans throughout the year. The Lamoille Art & Justice Project, led by people of the global majority (or PGM*), is a collaboration that merges public art, oral histories, podcasting, and literature to foster connection and community for PGM in Vermont across generations. This project seeks to engage local artists, educators, students, allies, and organizations in advancing racial equity and justice in Lamoille County. Among the many collaborators is Will Kasso Condry, lead mural artist and illustrator of Juniper Creative Arts, who is a visionary and Afro-futuristic artist well-known for his use of bold color and layers. His life’s work centers on using mural arts as a vehicle for community-building, activism, beautification, and healing. He will be one of several speakers participating in a virtual panel discussion, Being A BIPOC Artist in Vermont Part 2: The Intersection of Art and Spirituality, that will take place on Wednesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. The free panel discussion, organized by Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, will explore the reality of racial and social equity and unique challenges faced by BIPOC artists in Vermont. 

[caption id="attachment_31815" align="aligncenter" width="275"] Showing support of Black lives outside of PK Coffee.[/caption]

*The Lamoille Art & Justice Project adopts the term “People of the Global Majority” (or PGM) as an alternative to BIPOC to honor the fact that indigenous, brown, and black people make up the majority of the global population, decenter whiteness, and reject the “othering” or “minoritizing” of PGM in our language and communities.
Featured photo courtesy of Mark Vandenberg.