Addressing Our College's History
Dublin Core
Title
Addressing Our College's History
Subject
While the author doesn't necessarily endorse the actions of Shireman- Grabowski, he calls attention to the problematic history that is inherent in support for the American flag, as well as highlights Middlebury's history of racism that has yet to be rectified.
Description
Volume 112, Number 2
Creator
Sam Koplinka- Loeher
Publisher
The Campus
Date
09/19/2013
Contributor
Sam Koplinka- Loeher
Coverage
"Using the American flag carries a long legacy of American imperialism, colonization, and genocide on this land."
"At Middlebury, we rarely talk about the colonization and our college's role in the genocide of the Abenaki people who are still living in Vermont. Many of you who are reading this are probably sitting inside Proctor dining hall. Our dining hall is named after Redfield Proctor, Jr., who was the 59th Governor of Vermont. Proctor directly advocated for the forced sterilization bill that passed in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1931. Under this racist and classist policy, the Abenaki people were targeted for forced sterilization. In order to protect themselves, many Abenaki families were forced to deny their heritage, their language, and their culture in order to 'pass' as settlers in Vermont. In doing so the legacy of colonization continued."
"The action on Sept. 11 should remind us that we have a duty to not only remember the 3,000 people who died 12 years ago but also address our history of colonization and the genocide of millions of indigenous people on this land we call 'America.'"
"At Middlebury, we rarely talk about the colonization and our college's role in the genocide of the Abenaki people who are still living in Vermont. Many of you who are reading this are probably sitting inside Proctor dining hall. Our dining hall is named after Redfield Proctor, Jr., who was the 59th Governor of Vermont. Proctor directly advocated for the forced sterilization bill that passed in the Vermont House of Representatives in 1931. Under this racist and classist policy, the Abenaki people were targeted for forced sterilization. In order to protect themselves, many Abenaki families were forced to deny their heritage, their language, and their culture in order to 'pass' as settlers in Vermont. In doing so the legacy of colonization continued."
"The action on Sept. 11 should remind us that we have a duty to not only remember the 3,000 people who died 12 years ago but also address our history of colonization and the genocide of millions of indigenous people on this land we call 'America.'"
Hyperlink Item Type Metadata
URL
Collection
Citation
Sam Koplinka- Loeher, “Addressing Our College's History,” Archives of Anti-Racist Activism, accessed October 27, 2026, https://twilightprojectantiracistrecords.middcreate.net/items/show/582.