A Black Paper

A Plea on Behalf of Marginalized and Underrepresented People **This letter was submitted as written testimony to legislators as written testimony. Thursday, February 27, 2025 Dear legislators, I remember learning about the Holocaust in third grade and asking my teacher, “But where were all of the good people?” Even at a young age I questioned how such a large number of people could allow such atrocities to happen. It was at that time that I decided I would never sit silently when I saw unjust actions that would cause mass harm. Of course at eight years old that seems like a million lightyears away. Fast-forward a mere twenty years later and here we are. After recent legislative actions, I find myself needing to, at the very least, plead with the committees that have the most power over marginalized lives. In a time when the federal government cannot be trusted to protect the lives of all of your constituents, the responsibility largely falls to you. The lives of Black Vermonters, the ...

H. 313  Upigaji Kura wa Chaguo la Kiwango Lengo kuu la Sera kwa Watu ni kuwasaidia Wavermont walio chini ya uwakilishi kuelewa jinsi sheria zinazopendekezwa zitakavyoathiri maisha yetu ya kila siku. Leo, ninawasilisha kwenu muswada unaohusiana na uchaguzi (hasa uchaguzi wa rais). Kama kawaida: sauti yako ni muhimu. Tafadhali tumia taarifa utakazozipata hapa kufanya mazungumzo ya kina na wabunge wako kuhusu jinsi maamuzi yao yanavyoweza kuathiri maisha yako. Kinachosema: Kama ilivyoandikwa sasa, sheria hii ingeleta mabadiliko katika mchakato wa upigaji kura lakini haitawaathiri wale wanaoweza kupiga kura. Kwa ujumla, inalenga kufanya mchakato wa upigaji kura kuwa "jumuishi". Wanaoweza Kuathirika (Ikiwa muswada huu hautajumuisha marekebisho dhidi ya mapungufu haya...) Wapiga kura wanaoshindwa kuelewa mifumo changamano. Wapiga kura wenye ulemavu na/au ufanisi mdogo wa uandishi wa Kiingereza. Upigaji Kura wa Chaguo la Kiwango unaweza kuwa na manufaa kwa jamii zilizowakilishwa ki...

  H. ३१३ रैंक गरिएको-चुनाव मतदान जनताको नीति को मुख्य उद्देश्य भनेको प्रतिनिधित्व नपाएको भर्मन्टवासिहरूलाई प्रस्तावित कानूनी प्रावधानहरूले हाम्रो दैनिक जीवनमा कसरी प्रभाव पार्नेछ भन्ने कुरा बुझ्नमा मद्दत गर्नु हो। आज, म तपाईँको ध्यानमा एउटा विधेयक ल्याउँदैछु जसले चुनावसँग (विशेष गरी राष्ट्रपति चुनाव) सम्बन्ध राख्छ। जसरी सधैं: तपाईँको आवाज महत्त्वपूर्ण छ। कृपया यहाँ प्राप्त जानकारी प्रयोग गरी आफ्ना विधायिका प्रतिनिधिहरूसँग अझ गहिरो संवाद गर्नुहोस् कि उनीहरूको निर्णयहरूले तपाईँको जीवनमा कसरी प्रभाव पार्न सक्छ। यसमा के भनिएको छ: यसलाई अहिले जस्तो लेखिएको छ, यो कानूनी प्रक्रिया मतदान प्रणाली परिवर्तन गर्नेछ तर यसले को को मतदान गर्न सक्छ भन्ने कुरामा असर नगर्नेछ। कुल मिलाएर, यसले मतदान प्रक्रिया "समावेशी" बनाउन चाहन्छ। कसलाई असर पर्न सक्छ (यदि यो विधेयक यी असफलताहरूसँगको विरोधमा इन्जिनियर गरिएको छैन भने…) जटिल प्रणाली बुझ्नमा कठिनाइ हुने मतदाता। अपांगता भएका र/अथवा सीमित अंग्रेजी साक्षरताका मतदाता। रैंक गरिएको-चुनाव मतदानले प्रतिनिधित्व नभएका समुदायहरूको लागि फाइदाजनक हुन सक्ने सम...

H. 313 Vote à Choix Classés L'objectif principal de la Politique pour les Gens est d'aider les habitants sous-représentés du Vermont à mieux comprendre comment les lois proposées affecteront notre vie quotidienne. Aujourd'hui, je porte à votre attention un projet de loi concernant les élections ( en particulier les élections présidentielles ). Comme toujours : votre voix compte. Veuillez utiliser les informations que vous obtenez ici pour avoir des conversations plus approfondies avec vos législateurs sur la manière dont leurs décisions peuvent affecter votre vie. Ce qu'il dit : Tel qu'il est actuellement rédigé, cette loi changerait le processus de vote mais n'affecterait pas qui peut voter. Dans l'ensemble, elle cherche à rendre le processus de vote plus "inclusif". Qui cela pourrait impacter (si ce projet de loi n’est pas conçu pour éviter ces échecs...) Les électeurs qui ont du mal à comprendre des systèmes complexes. Les électeurs en situatio...

H. 313  Votación por Orden de Preferencia El objetivo principal de la Política para la Gente es ayudar a los habitantes de Vermont subrepresentados a comprender mejor cómo las leyes propuestas afectarán nuestras vidas diarias. Hoy, quiero llamar su atención sobre un proyecto de ley que trata sobre las elecciones (especialmente las elecciones presidenciales) . Como siempre: su voz importa. Utilice la información que obtenga aquí para tener conversaciones más exploratorias con sus legisladores sobre cómo sus decisiones pueden afectar su vida. Lo que dice:   Tal como está redactada actualmente, esta ley cambiaría el proceso de votación , pero no afectaría quién puede votar . En general, busca hacer que el proceso de votación sea más "inclusivo". A quién podría impactar (si este proyecto de ley no está diseñado para evitar estos fallos...) Votantes que tienen dificultades para comprender sistemas complejos. Votantes con discapacidades y/o limitaciones en la alfabetización en ing...

H. 313  Ranked-Choice Voting The main goal of Policy for The People is to help underrepresented Vermonters better understand how proposed laws will affect our everyday lives. Today, I bring to your attention a bill that deals with elections (especially presidential elections).  As always: your voice matters. Please use the information you gain here to have more explorative conversations with your legislators about how their decisions may impact your life. What It Says:  As it is currently written, this law would change the voting process  but would not impact who can vote. Overall, it seeks to make the voting process more "inclusive".  Who it Could Impact (If this bill is not engineered against these failures...) - Voters who struggle with understanding complex systems.  - Voters with disabilities and/or limited English literacy  Ranked-Choice Voting has the potential to be beneficial for underrepresented communities by providing more diverse represe...

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS Today we celebrate Black History Month through Vermont's local culinary artists, caterers, and chefs. This post is dedicated to showcasing restaurants and food trucks that are owned and operated by members of our Black community in hopes that you will continue to put your money where your mouth is after this month is long gone. Bennington County - Island Flavor - Bennington Town (https://islandflavorvt.com/) Jamerican Cuisine Food Truck - Manchester Depot (https://www.facebook.com/jamericancuisinefoodtruck) Caledonia County - Genuine Jamaican  - Barnet -  (https://www.facebook.com/p/Genuine-Jamaican-100063674106953/) Chittenden County - A Taste of Abyssinia Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine - Burlington - (https://atasteofabyssinia.com/) Kismayo Kitchen - Burlington - (https://sites.google.com/view/kismayokitchen/home) Jamaican Supreme Food Truck  - South Burlington - (https://www.facebook.com/JamaicanSupreme.org/) Thingz Fro...

Continuing with my Living Legend series, today we celebrate Black History Month by recognizing the career of American political strategist, campaign manager, political analyst, college professor, and Democratic National Committee member Donna Brazile.  As noted on her website, "A proud native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Donna got involved with politics at nine years old, when she worked to elect a local city council candidate who promised to build a playground in her neighborhood...She serves as an adjunct professor in the Women and Gender Studies Department at Georgetown University and served as the King Endowed Chair in Public Policy at Howard University and as a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. She has lectured at nearly 250 colleges and universities on diversity, equity and inclusion; women in leadership; and restoring civility in American politics... Donna is the author of the 2004 bestselling memoir Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots...

यद्यपि म सामान्यतया मात्र राज्य नीति (त्यो कानून जुन भर्मन्ट राज्यलाई असर पुर्याउँछ) मा ध्यान केन्द्रित गर्दछु, हाम्रो संघीय नीति जनताको नियन्त्रणबाट बाहिर जाँदैछ। संघीय कानूनहरू (राष्ट्रव्यापी... सबै राज्यहरूलाई शासित गर्ने) प्रायः केहि पनि भन्दा बढी शक्तिशाली हुन्छन् जुन हाम्रा राज्यका विधायिका सिर्जना गर्न चाहन्छन्। यस कारण, म आजको बक्तव्यलाई तपाईंलाई हाम्रो संघीय परिप्रेक्ष्यको वर्तमान स्थिति बुझाउन समर्पित गर्दैछु (सिधा भन्नुपर्दा: ट्रम्पको कार्यालयमा के भइरहेको छ र यसले तपाईंको दैनिक जीवनमा कसरी असर पुर्याउन सक्छ भनेर बुझ्नु)। संक्षेपमा, उनी प्रोजेक्ट २०२५ लागू गर्न काम गर्दैछन्। यो योजना धेरै संघीय विभागहरू हटाउने समावेश गर्दछ। यसमा कडा आप्रवासन नीतिहरू, भूतपूर्व सैनिकको मामिलामा फण्ड कटौती, र अन्य निर्णयहरू समावेश छन् जसले अल्पसंख्यक जनतालाई असर पुर्याउँछ। यसको महत्त्व के हो: अन्ततः, तपाईं जो हुनुहुन्छ पनि, तपाईं प्रोजेक्ट २०२५ र पारंपरिक संघीय वित्तपोषणलाई पुनः निर्माण गर्ने योजनाबाट प्रभावित हुनेछन्। यी नीतिहरू सबै मेडिकेयर/मेडिकेड प्राप्तकर्ताहरूसम्म फैलिइरहेका छन्, तपाईंल...

Ingawa mimi kawaida nazingatia sera za jimbo (sheria zitakazoshirikiana na jimbo la Vermont), sera zetu za shirikisho zinaenda nje ya udhibiti wa Watu. Sheria za shirikisho (zinazosimamia majimbo yote) mara nyingi huwa na nguvu zaidi kuliko chochote ambacho wabunge wetu wa jimbo wanajivunia kuunda. Kwa sababu hii, leo natoa maelezo kuhusu hali ya sasa ya mandhari yetu ya shirikisho (ili kusema wazi: kuelewa kinachoendelea katika ofisi ya Trump na jinsi kinavyoweza kuathiri maisha yako ya kila siku). Kwa kifupi, anafanya kazi ya kutekeleza Mradi 2025. Huu ni mpango unaojumuisha kufuta idara nyingi za shirikisho. Pia unahusisha sera kali za uhamiaji, kupunguza fedha kwa huduma za mashujaa wa vita, na maamuzi mengine yanayoathiri watu wasiowakilishwa vya kutosha. Kwa Nini Hii Inahusu: Mwishowe, haijalishi wewe ni nani, utapigwa na Mradi 2025 na mpango wa kubadili ufadhili wa shirikisho wa kiasili. Sera hizi zinafikia hadi kwa wapokeaji wa Medicare/Medicaid, hadi kwenye maelezo kama vile j...

Bien que je me concentre normalement uniquement sur la politique de l'État (les lois qui affecteront l'État du Vermont), notre politique fédérale échappe au contrôle du peuple. Les lois fédérales (nationales... gouvernant tous les États) sont presque toujours plus puissantes que tout ce que nos législateurs d'État ont envie de créer. Pour cette raison, je consacre le discours d'aujourd'hui à vous aider à comprendre l'état actuel de notre paysage fédéral (pour être clair : comprendre ce qui se passe réellement dans le bureau de Trump et comment cela pourrait affecter votre vie quotidienne). En résumé, il travaille à mettre en œuvre le Projet 2025. Il s'agit d'un plan qui comprend la suppression de nombreux départements fédéraux. Il inclut également des politiques d'immigration strictes, des réductions du financement des affaires des anciens combattants et d'autres décisions qui affectent les personnes sous-représentées. Pourquoi cela importe-t-il ...

Aunque normalmente solo me enfoco en la política estatal (leyes que afectarán al estado de Vermont), nuestra política federal está descontrolada fuera del alcance del Pueblo. Las leyes federales (nacionales... que rigen todos los estados) son casi siempre más poderosas que cualquier cosa que nuestros legisladores estatales decidan crear. Por esta razón, dedico el discurso de hoy a ayudarles a entender el estado actual de nuestro panorama federal (para decirlo claramente: entender qué demonios está pasando en la oficina de Trump y cómo puede afectar tu vida cotidiana). En resumen, él está trabajando para hacer cumplir el Proyecto 2025. Este es un plan que incluye eliminar muchos departamentos federales. También incluye políticas de inmigración estrictas, recortes en la financiación para los asuntos de los veteranos y otras decisiones que impactan a personas subrepresentadas. Por qué esto importa: En última instancia, no importa quién seas, serás afectado por el Proyecto 2025 y el plan ...

Although I normally only focus on state policy (laws that will affect the state of Vermont), our federal policy is spiraling out of the control of The People. Federal laws (national...governing all states) are almost always more powerful than anything our state legislators feel like creating. For this reason, I'm devoting today's spiel to helping you understand the current status of our federal landscape ( to put it bluntly: understanding what the hell is going on in the office of Trump and how it may affect your everyday life ). In short, he is working to enforce Project 2025. This is a plan that includes getting rid of many federal departments. It also includes strict immigration policies, cuts to veterans affairs funding, and other decisions that impact underrepresented people.  Why This Matters:  Ultimately, no matter who you are, you will be affected by Project 2025 and the plan to overhaul traditional federal funding. These policies are reaching as far as all medicare/...

Leo ninaleteni muswada nane ambazo zinaweza kuathiri maisha yenu ya kila siku kama Mvermonter. Hizi ni mpya kutoka kwa magazeti ya sheria na sijawahi kuzitaja hapo awali. Katika orodha hii ya vifurushi mtapata mapendekezo ya muswada yanayounga mkono wazazi waliokamatwa na watoto wao, wanachama wa AmeriCorp, wafanyakazi wa elimu ya juu, na zaidi. Tafadhali wasiliana na wawakilishi wenu na/au wadhamini wa muswada ili kuonyesha msaada wenu kwa vitu vinavyohusu wewe, familia yako, na jamii yako. Sauti yako inahesabu. Marekebisho/Mahakama H.219 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.219 Pendekezo la kuanzisha Programu za Msaada wa Familia katika Kituo cha Marekebisho cha Chittenden na Kituo cha Marekebisho cha Northern State ili kutoa huduma za msaada wa familia bure na programu kwa wazazi na walezi waliokamatwa. Mtu wa Kuwasiliana Naye : Mwakilishi Michelle Bos-Lun mboslun@leg.state.vt.us Elimu H.180 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.180 Pendekezo la kuun...

आज म तपाईंलाई आठ वटा विधेयकहरू ल्याउँदैछु जसले तपाईंको दैनिक जीवनलाई असर पुर्याउन सक्छ, यदि तपाईं भर्मन्टका निवासी हुनुहुन्छ भने। यी विधेयकहरू हालैको कानूनी मञ्चबाट आएका छन् र मैले तिनीहरूलाई पहिले उल्लेख गरेको छैन। यस सूचीमा तपाईंले बन्दी भएका अभिभावक र तिनीहरूको बच्चाहरू, अमेरिकरक सदस्यहरू, उच्च शिक्षा कर्मचारीहरू र अरूका लागि समर्थन गर्ने विधेयक प्रस्तावहरू देख्नुहुनेछ। कृपया आफ्नो विधायकहरू र/वा विधेयक प्रायोजकहरूसँग सम्पर्क गरेर तपाईंका, तपाईंको परिवारका र तपाईंको समुदायका लागि महत्त्वपूर्ण वस्तुहरूको समर्थन देखाउनुहोस्। तपाईंको आवाज महत्त्वपूर्ण छ। सम्पादन/न्यायिक H.219 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.219 यसले चिट्टेन्डन क्षेत्रीय सुधारक संस्था र उत्तर राज्य सुधारक संस्थामा पारिवारिक समर्थन पाइलट कार्यक्रम स्थापना गर्ने प्रस्ताव गर्दछ जसले बन्दी भएका अभिभावक र संरक्षकहरूलाई निःशुल्क पारिवारिक समर्थन सेवा र कार्यक्रम प्रदान गर्नेछ। सम्पर्क गर्नुपर्ने व्यक्ति: प्रतिनिधि मिशेल बोस-लुन mboslun@leg.state.vt.us शिक्षा H.180 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/st...

Aujourd'hui, je vous présente huit projets de loi qui pourraient avoir un impact sur votre vie quotidienne en tant que Vermontois. Ces projets viennent tout juste d’être publiés et je ne vous en ai pas parlé auparavant. Parmi cette liste de propositions, vous trouverez des projets de loi soutenant les parents et enfants incarcérés, les membres d'AmeriCorps, les employés de l'enseignement supérieur, et bien plus encore. N'hésitez pas à contacter vos législateurs et/ou les sponsors des projets de loi pour montrer votre soutien aux sujets qui comptent pour vous, votre famille et votre communauté. Votre voix compte. Corrections / Judiciaire H.219 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.219 Propose d’établir des programmes pilotes de soutien familial dans les établissements correctionnels régionaux de Chittenden et du Northern State pour fournir des services de soutien familial gratuits et des programmes aux parents et tuteurs incarcérés. Qui contacter : Repré...

Hoy les traigo ocho proyectos de ley que pueden afectar su vida cotidiana como habitantes de Vermont. Estos son recién salidos de la prensa legislativa y no los he mencionado antes. En esta lista de propuestas verán proyectos de ley que apoyan a los padres y sus hijos encarcelados, miembros de AmeriCorps, empleados de la educación superior y más. Por favor, comuníquese con sus legisladores y/o los patrocinadores de los proyectos de ley para mostrar su apoyo a los temas que son importantes para usted, su familia y su comunidad. Su voz importa. Correcciones/Judicial H.219 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.219 Propone establecer Programas Piloto de Apoyo Familiar en el Centro Regional de Corrección de Chittenden y el Centro Correccional del Estado del Norte para ofrecer servicios gratuitos de apoyo familiar y programación a los padres y tutores encarcelados. Quién contactar: Representante Michelle Bos-Lun mboslun@leg.state.vt.us Educación H.180 - https://legislature.v...

Today I bring you eight bills that may affect your everyday life as a Vermonter. These are hot off the legislative press and I have not mentioned them before. On this list of goodies you will see bill proposals supporting incarcerated parents & their children, AmeriCorp members, higher education employees, and more. Please reach out to your legislators and/or the bill sponsors to show your support for items that matter to you, your family, and your community. Your voice matters. Corrections/Judicial H.219 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.219 Proposes to establish Family Support Pilot Programs at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and Northern State Correctional Facility to provide free family support services and programming to incarcerated parents and guardians. Who to Contact: Representative Michelle Bos-Lun mboslun@leg.state.vt.us Education H.180 - https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.180 Proposes to create a process by which...

Today, in honor of Black History Month I offer a song.  For young Black children in the early 90s and 2000s this was an anthem. Very few rap songs encouraged children from our communities to pursue their wildest dreams, stay in school, and chase success. My dad would play this for me all the time. I hope you will share with your children as well.  "I Can" was written by Nas, a sixteen-time Grammy nominee who won his first Grammy in 2021 for his 13th studio album, King's Disease. His career spans thirty-three years and helped pave the way for many of today's mainstream artists (including several artists outside of the rap genere). The lyrics of his most popular song, "I Can", are powerful because they shift a young Black child's ideas for their future into their own hands. This song makes anything attainable for children who have to battle a world that tells them there is something wrong with their Blackness.  You can listen to "I Can" here:  ht...

Arifa ya Kusikiliza Hadharani Kamati za Bunge la Vermont na Seneti za Fedha zitafanya vikao viwili vya pamoja vya hadharani Alhamisi, Februari 13, 2025, saa 7:45 mchana na Alhamisi, Februari 20, 2025, saa 11:00 jioni kupitia mkutano wa ana kwa ana au mtandaoni. Taarifa kamili ya vyombo vya habari ipo hapa . Hii Inamaanisha Nini: Hii ni fursa ya kushiriki maoni yako kuhusu marekebisho ya bajeti yaliyopendekezwa na Gavana. Hizi ni maamuzi ya kifedha ambayo yanaweza kuathiri maisha yako ya kila siku na hakika yatafaidika na ushuru wowote utakao lipa. Unachopaswa Kujua: Habari kutoka kwa Hotuba ya Bajeti ya Gavana (Januari 2025) ipo hapa . Bajeti iliyopendekezwa ni "takriban $9 bilioni." "$3.1 bilioni ni fedha za shirikisho, ambazo – isipokuwa nusu bilioni kwa ajili ya usafiri – hasa zinaunga mkono Medicaid na programu nyingine za huduma za kibinadamu." "Kati ya $5.9 bilioni zinazotoka kwa fedha za serikali, karibu nusu yake inaenda kwa elimu ya pre-K-12. Kwa saba...