Statement on CRT from the Rutland Co Democratic Executive Committee
Statement on CRT from the Rutland Co Democratic Executive Committee
Please read the Rutland County Democratic Executive Committee’s letter to the editor in today’s Rutland Herald:
The Rutland County Democratic Executive Committee supports our public schools in following best practices to increase representation in lesson plans and to integrate restorative, equitable procedures. We support the research on systemic racism that is needed to dismantle hate. Systemic racism exists. For proof, just look at the attacks on best practices in diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools.
That’s the real source of the recent outrage directed at Critical Race Theory (CRT). Complaints about CRT strike at the essential bonds of our shared humanity, fueling division and mocking our efforts to build a more inclusive, resilient community.
No K-12 program is teaching CRT, because this theory is taught only to law students and, perhaps, to graduate students in a few other disciplines like history or sociology. But all K-12 programs should be supported in teaching ideas that can be found in CRT but aren’t specific to it. This includes equity and inclusion, both of which are core democratic values and the source of the USA’s strength. K-12 programs should also be teaching the truth about the damage done by racism both in the past and present. Failing to do so harms students of color and ill-prepares white students for an increasingly diverse and rich world. These ideas can be found in CRT, but they aren’t unique to it. They’re the basis of fundamental human decency. Attacking these ideas through an assault on CRT ultimately erodes the bedrock of our common identity.
We can’t afford for Rutland County or Vermont to become one of the places where simple human decency is banned thanks to the unfounded fear of CRT. Please make your voices heard. There’s too much at stake. Let’s support diversity, equity and inclusion. Let’s support our schools and our kids.
In solidarity,
Heather Juliussen
Rutland County Democrats,
Chair
Declaration of Inclusion
At the June 14, 2021 Rutland County Democratic Committee, we voted to pass a Declaration of Inclusion:
The Rutland County Democratic Committee condemns racism and discrimination of any type and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability, and will protect these classes to the fullest extent of the law.
As a committee, we formally condemn discrimination in all its forms and commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community.
As a committee, we formally condemn discrimination in all its forms and commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community.
The Rutland County Democratic Committee is committed to providing a space where the most marginalized can feel safe.
This declaration has been modeled on the declaration that’s already been passed in several towns in Rutland County, an event that’s making national news!
We encourage every town in Rutland County to pass a declaration. To read more about the declaration and to find talking points, you can go here.
If you would like to work on a Declaration of Inclusion in your town, but you aren’t sure how to get started, email us and we’ll put you in touch with people who can help: rutlandcountydemocratsvt@gmail.com
We can do this!
Democracy needs you!
Extremist Republicans are right here in Vermont and they are organized. Rutland County officeholders voted against state and local resolutions to condemn the January 6th assault on the US Capitol. Some repeated false claims about what happened that day and questioned the validity of the November election. We Democrats must be organized and prepared to fight back. We must restore honesty, decency and justice to move Rutland County forward.
Donate online: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/rutland
Or send a check to Rutland County Democratic Committee, PO Box 933, Rutland, VT 05702
Town Meeting Day municipal elections showed what we can do. We pulled out all the stops by supporting candidates in key races across the county. We need to push even harder to win local seats so that we can build the bench of candidates and ensure that our town officials reflect our values.
Republicans take corporate, out-of-town money but Democratic officials work for us, so they need grassroots funding from local Democrats like you. With your support we can win with strong candidates and effective campaigns. Every dollar stays in Rutland County and every cent helps.
Donate online: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/rutland
Or send a check to Rutland County Democratic Committee, PO Box 933, Rutland, VT 05702
Thank you for your support!
Heather Juliussen-Stevenson, Chair
Your Executive Committee out & about in 2020:
Your Executive Committee: Elizabeth Filskov, Kathy Hall, Scott Garren, Eugenia Cooke, Mary Droege, Carol Wright, and Heather Juliussen-Stevenson