Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, and Report for America
SHELBURNE — A new photo exhibit at Shelburne Farms highlights the stories of Black, Indigenous and people of color who help sustain Vermont’s food systems.
The exhibit opened with a reception Monday, July 6, in the newly-renovated Coach Barn. Harmony’s Kitchen, an Afro-fusion catering business and pop-up restaurant, provided food for the event.
Part of The Root Social Justice Center, the “I Am Vermont Too” project began in March 2014. The project was modeled after the “I, Too, Am Harvard” initiative, a photo campaign featuring faces and voices of Black students at Harvard. The project challenges racist micro-aggressions in Vermont by sharing personal stories that encourage reflection and increase visibility.
In the Coach Barn, nine color photographs are displayed on the brick wall, accompanied by a description of the project. The photos on display show Vermonters holding whiteboards displaying the racial micro-aggressions they’ve experienced while working in Vermont’s food system. One of them reads, “People say I’m the whitest Black man they know.”
“I Am Vermont Too” held its first photo exhibit at the Vermont Statehouse in 2017. Since then, there have been over 15 exhibits throughout the state.
This partnership with Shelburne Farms marks the first time an exhibit has centered on a specific theme. Because Shelburne Farms plays a prominent role in educating Vermonters about the state’s food system, the exhibit focuses on BIPOC Vermonters who contribute to that system.
“There are people who are contributing to the food system that are from everywhere, but we’re all Vermonters. That’s the bottom line,” said Yasamin Jenine, former director of inclusion and belonging at Shelburne Farms.
Sha’an Mouliert, coordinator and photographer of the project, said she hopes visitors leave inspired to create lasting change.
“I’d like people to move from performative action to transformative practices,” Mouliert said.
To create the exhibit, Jenine and Mouliert traveled across the state to meet farmers, food producers and agricultural workers on what they called the “Vermont BIPOC Farm Tour.”
Daniel Seals, owner of Yalla Foods in Brattleboro, is one of the people featured in the exhibit. As a Black business owner, Seals said he regularly encounters racial micro-aggressions in everyday situations. For example, when inspectors or other officials arrive at his business, they often assume someone else owns the business.
“I’m the guy you’ve been emailing, I’m the guy you were talking to on the phone,” Seals said.
After 10-plus years of living in Vermont, Seals thinks BIPOC residents are not fully seen and heard but that this project encourages visibility.
William Garley, who lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, attended the reception with his family. Garley’s wife was participating in a week-long Foundations in Education for Sustainability workshop through the Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools. As a teacher himself, Garley said he values the exhibit’s message.
“This is important. It’s a big deal,” Garley said.
The “I Am Vermont Too” photo exhibit is free and open to the public. It will remain on display at the Coach Barn through August 25.
Emily Rodin is an intern for UVM’s Community News Service through Report for America’s Local News Internship Program.