Forging a People: The Ingredients of Vermont Character
Separatist movements are not merely political or economic projects; they are cultural projects that require a strong, cohesive sense of 'we.' In Vermont, this identity is often crystallized in the figure of the 'Vermont Yankee'—a stereotype imbued with values of independence, frugality, practicality, community-mindedness, and a deep, taciturn connection to the land. This cultural archetype, whether entirely accurate or not, serves as a powerful unifying symbol for the separatist cause. It represents a perceived contrast with a national culture seen as consumerist, boastful, rootless, and polarized. The Institute's work explores how this identity has been constructed and maintained through shared stories, historical memory, environmental interaction, and even linguistic quirks. The famed Vermont distrust of 'flatlanders' (outsiders) is not just parochialism; from a separatist perspective, it is a defense mechanism for a vulnerable culture. The annual town meeting is not just a governance tool; it is a ritual reinforcing the ethos of direct, local control. Every sugar-on-snow party, every commitment to buying local, every preference for quiet competence over loud ambition is woven into the tapestry of a separate peoplehood. Separatist thought seeks to politicize this cultural distinction, arguing that if the people are truly different, they deserve a political state that reflects and protects that difference.
The Tensions Within: Evolution and Diversity in Vermont Identity
This reliance on a monolithic cultural identity is not without its problems, and serious separatist thinkers must grapple with them. The 'Vermont Yankee' is historically a white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant figure. Vermont today is more diverse, albeit slowly, with growing communities of immigrants, people of color, and individuals with no multigenerational ties to the state. Furthermore, the state has a significant divide between the more progressive, populous centers like Burlington and the more conservative, rural 'Northeast Kingdom.' A viable independence movement must craft an inclusive nationalism that can speak to these groups. Can the child of a Bosnian refugee in Winooski or a tech worker newly relocated to Chittenden County find a place in the 'Vermont nation'? Proponents argue that the core values—community, sustainability, practical democracy—are universal and can be adopted by anyone who chooses to commit to the place. They point to the state's strong record on social issues like marriage equality as evidence of an evolving, inclusive identity. The challenge is to build a civic nationalism based on shared commitment to Vermont's land and future, rather than an ethnic nationalism based on blood and ancestry. This requires consciously expanding the mythos, celebrating new stories of belonging while honoring the old.
- Iconic Traits: Independence, frugality, practicality, taciturnity, local loyalty.
- Cultural Rituals: Town meeting, farmers markets, maple sugaring, mutual aid.
- The 'Flatlander' Dynamic: Tension between preserving culture and welcoming newcomers.
- Demographic Realities: Addressing the state's lack of racial diversity and urban-rural divides.
- Civic vs. Ethnic Nationalism: Building an inclusive identity based on shared place and principles.
The cultural work of separatism is perhaps the most subtle and profound. It involves curating a shared story that is compelling enough to motivate sacrifice and foster solidarity. The Institute studies not only Vermont's own folklore but also the nation-building cultural projects of other small countries, from Estonia to Iceland. How do you create songs, literature, art, and education that instill a sense of sovereign destiny? This goes beyond political pamphlets to the realm of myth-making. It involves answering the question: What does it mean to be a Vermonter in a world of globalized identities? For separatists, the answer must be robust enough to compete with the powerful, if often vacuous, pull of American identity. It must offer a sense of belonging that is more intimate, more meaningful, and more connected to tangible reality than the abstract idea of being an 'American.' It is about rooting identity in the smell of pine forests, the taste of sharp cheddar, the feel of a neighbor's help during a hard winter, and the sound of one's own voice being heard in a small hall—a package of experiences that, together, define a people worthy of self-determination.