Every black, brown adult, youth and child matters in Vermont and in our nation!

Prevent Child Abuse Vermont works to end adverse childhood experiences, and racism is one of them. The harm we do to children from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and or neglect seems apparent to most people. It may not be as clear why we consider racism a great harm to children. The harm to children caused by racism, like other adverse childhood experiences, can last a lifetime. Racism leads to children, youth of color and their parents internalizing self-hatred. Racism is a way people can justify small and large impactful actions that decrease opportunities for people of color in education, work, housing, safety, mental health, health, and justice. Greed is often at the core of why racism is part of so many systems, both public and private. The statistics for people of color remain staggering: more infant mortality; greatly disproportionate numbers of black men and other people of color imprisoned in this state and this country; and more youth and adult drivers of color stopped by police in Vermont and nationwide. In Vermont, according to the most recent statistics available there is not a history of disproportionately more children of color in out of home placement than white children. That is one important thing we can be quite proud of in Vermont.

WE ALL HAVE A ROLE IN STANDING UP TO RACISM. HERE ARE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS:

• Speak up when comments are made and actions taken. Make it clear to those around you, especially children, that you do not agree with racist comments, beliefs, and practices.

• Report to authorities racist policies and practices at work, in schools, organizations and government. Internal racism exists in policing, as we have so horrifically, once again, witnessed through media.

The murder of Mr. George Floyd and the pain of his family cannot be ignored. As a Vermonter, I am so proud of Governor Phil Scott for speaking out against racism. The Governor’s formation of a task force on racism in Vermont is a strong message, and appreciated. As with all good intentions, we will be looking for outcomes, and for change. This takes time and lots of messaging and modeling. Governor Scott’s appointing Ms. Xusana Davis, the first Executive Director of Racial Equity in Vermont, is a critical part of this undertaking.

We support speaking out and teaching, to all our children, through our actions, that racism has no place in our communities and justice systems. Talking to our children about why people are marching and peacefully protesting, and even when some are causing destruction in their communities, is important. We must explain why many people of color are done waiting after more than 300 years of harm. And we must also tell children there are quite possibly more people working for justice and to end racism than ever before! Tell them you are one of them and invite them to be one, as well.

Being part of the healing, means standing with those marching for justice. Applaud those taking a knee when given the opportunity; raise a Black Lives Matter Flag. These actions are signals to people of color and to those who are racist, that people of color are safe and respected here. When we stand up, we create the healthy, nurturing world we want all BPOC people to inherit. We at PCAVT will not allow this moment to pass. It is time to take on racism, this deadly adverse childhood experience together and not bring it forward into our children’s futures.