[DestinationVermont]

This is a great forum... I like to lurk, and there is definitely a lot to read and figure into our research! My situation is this - my partner and I and two pre-school kids are potentially moving from an urban big city in the Mid-Atlantic to the Burlington, Vermont area in two years. We both have terminal (JD, PhD) degrees and would consider ourselves mid-level professionals; we also may start a business but one thing at a time!

We want to be in a place that will accommodate our current lifestyle reflected in our 3000+ square foot home on .33 acre land and excellent schools in a place that is less rat-race and congested and more green and community-oriented. We can be a little forgiving on the material aspects of our lifestyle, so long as we can find good responses to this question:

As a multi-racial family and a strong commitment to diversity, how can we find both a place that values community as a core living principle as well as provides services and support to specific ethnic communities who are Asian, Black and essentially non-White? It seems that many have a response here and elsewhere like, "it's a supportive place" or "strong sense of community" - but, what are some examples, trends, and stories that might boost our confidence about Vermont as a diverse place to live?

If you have any thoughts about the job market, schools, and community activities, we would love to hear about those thoughts, too!

[68vette]

It all depends on were in Vermont you are looking to settle down. If you were to settle in the Burlington area I think that a multi-racial family would be more accepted. Most people are open minded and you would be accepted just fine. A more rural area and I would say you are most likely not going to be accepted as well. Vermont is one of the whitest states if not the most white state in the country. The gay/lesbian community is not very well liked in the more rural parts of the state.

[GypsySoul22]

Well, I can't speak for the state as I have only seen a bit of it. I was in White River Junction and saw a multiracial family (white mom, several kids, one was black--maybe a friend or a foster kids?).
In Lebanon, NH I saw another family, all white with one black kid.
Basically the demographics of the 99.9% white Vermont was not true. But I think a bigger city probably would be accepting.
Good luck.

[68vette]

This is information from the US census Bureau: total pop-623,908
White%-96.9%
Black%-0.6%
Asian%-1.0%
American Indian%-0.4%
Latino%-1.1%
people reporting two or more races-1.1%
You will find the majority of other races outside of white in the more populated areas of the state.

[flu189]

The diversity issue keeps coming up in the news in Vt especially recently with some sort of study on profiling. First, Vt is a primarily white state. Not by some design, but merely by history and economics. No we don't close our borders to other races, cultures, and creeds, but we do limit the types of opportunity to come here and find sustainable work. So for those who seek a high mix of diversity you will have to wait quite some time or look elsewhere as Vt is not going to change overnight. Demographic numbers show that in fact Vt is the the fastest ageing state with limited inbound migration. The profiling question comes up with incarceration rates giving the impression that we jail blacks at a much higher rate than anywhere else when considering their percentage of the population. The reality is that the majority are from out of state and were simply arrested and convicted here of crimes. The criminal justice system here is actually pretty lenient when compared to the rest of the country so I think it best to search for another cause to champion or dragon to slay. Afterall, it's not like we don't have other pressing issues here that deserve and need attention.

[DestinationVermont]

Thanks all for your comments. I am encouraged to hear that people believe that -- especially in larger cities like Burlington where we hope to live -- there is a sense of open-mindedness.

At the same time, I still am wondering about how specific racial and ethnic communities find a sense of home and support, especially in the Burlington area. I don't hear many comments on that (and I do thank those who HAVE replied with supportive comments and their stories and opinions); however, does the relative silence on this topic mean that there is no real support out there?

[MRVphotog]

I think Vermont is an unusually accepting state for both racial and gay/lesbian folks. Many of the farmers I know couldn't care less if your gay or black they just didn't like the civil union thing made into law.

For town governance Vermont is very unique as every town makes most of the major decisions on budgets and how the town is run and voted by the people of the town on Town Meeting day in March. The people of Vermont are very active and vocal about political issues and many times this gets misunderstood by people who do not understand the process.

Your going to find bigots no matter where you go. I feel that is the exception rather than the rule. People in Vermont care more about what kind of a person you are not the color of your skin or sexual preference.

Demographics are nothing more than statistics that offer little insight about how people feel or act towards their fellow man.

If your a mult-racial family and go to the local General Store and meet the owners or attend a local church you will be welcomed into the community. If after you just move to town you go to the local school board and demand that the school be closed for the Kwanza holiday your going the ruffle some feathers. How people are accepted into a community is a two way street.

BTW, Vermont has a long history of helping the black community plus there are several non-profits in Vermont who's mission is to help people of all races from oppressed areas of the world move to Vermont and start a new life.
VHS: Underground Railroad Vermont Timeline

[marcav]

Hi all,

I just came to this forum to post these same kind of questions.

I spent a great part of my life in Vermont, and most of my family still lives there. I have always planned on moving back after I retire, but recently adopted an AA child (I'm an "older", white mom!) I currently live in a community well known for its multiculturalism, and accepting of transracial families. I would like to move in about 4 years when my little one starts school, but am feeling very guilty about wrenching him from an environment where he'd feel more comfortable. My rationale is that with the state of our nation being what it is, he'd be in a much safer place, and that if I don't leave in that time period, it would be much harder to go after he starts school. I know that most people in Vermont are pretty progressive, but that still doesn't make them black!!!

Any people of color on this forum?

Thanks,

Mary

[Jay.Dee]

I've been wondering myself if there were people of colour on this forum, so I thought I'd join in and give my two cents' worth. My nationality is Canadian and my ethnicity is Asian, and having moved here a year ago from Toronto, I have never felt more "Asian" in my life than in this sea of mainly caucasian faces. Except for the black family living next door, I don't see many people of colour in my small town.

I haven't been on the receiving end of any negative comments, racial slurs or hatred. If anything, many people are interested in asking where I'm from. It's a little annoying when I hear, "you must be going to SIT (School for International Training in Brattleboro)" but that comes from an ignorant assumption and a lot of curiosity - not an interrogation.

Walking around town, people typically smile and say "hi" - not what I'm used to having grown up in a big city. People have been very friendly and welcoming. I have to wonder, of course, what it would be like if I didn't speak English. From what I've heard, there's a lot of negative sentiment over illegal immigrants, typically those from Latin America, who are working illegally on some farms in VT, but I don't think that it's caused a wider spread dislike of coloured people.

When I moved here it was with some hesitation that I wouldn't be welcomed, but it didn't stop me, nor do I think it should stop anyone from bringing their families here to grow up and go to school. I for one, like being the one who's different, and I like sharing tidbits of my culture with those who are interested. What better way to promote diversity in our lives than by being a part of it?

As for community programs, in Bratt there's a group called ALANA which, according to their website, "is dedicated to building inclusive and equitable communities throughout New England." Their webpage is ALANA Home page Perhaps it will help you find links to organisations in northern VT. I imagine Burlington's big enough to have such a network in place.

[MRVphotog]

The School for International Training outside of Bratt is an incredible program and even tho it's been doing it's thing for many years, it was doing great things when I lived in Putney in the late 60's, it's not all that well known.

Having programs like this and others mentioned does have a big effect in the formation of the foundation of Vermont's attitudes cause it's such a small state.

Today the big story in the paper is about a recent robbery/vandelism where a couple of swastika's were left behind by the perps. Montpelier has a very strong Jewish community but stuff like this happens. I know this cause I'm Jewish and I lived in Montpelier.

Last spring we had a violent wind storm destroy a couple of big barns in the valley. Much like the storm that ripped thru Brookfield and destroyed some barns. The community got together and rebuilt the barn. A pic in the paper showed at least 100 people working on the rebuild. I am happy to say this kind of thing is an everyday occurance in Vermont.

The perps that did the hate crime in Montpelier will be arrested and convicted.

The barns that were destroyed yesterday will be rebuilt, just like the barns that were rebuilt near me. Not by a big issurance payment but by the local community. If that's not community spirit I don't know what is.

BTW I didn't vote on the poll as none of the choices really match up for me.