Throughout history, Black communities have been repeatedly let down by those in power who, despite their promises, ultimately choose to protect their own interests rather than standing with the marginalized people they profess to protect. Unfortunately, we are witnessing this pattern in Burlington, where Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, who was elected with significant support from Black citizens, has shown a troubling disregard for those who helped elevate her to office.
Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak pledged to prioritize racial equity and create a city where everyone feels valued. These promises were particularly important given the long-standing racial injustices in Burlington. However, her actions since taking office reveal a different story, marked by decisions that betray the very values she claimed to uphold.
- Dismantling of the REIB Department: The once-promising Burlington Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) Department has been stripped down, leaving Black residents in particular feeling abandoned and betrayed. The intentional gutting of the office, shifting its funding from general funds to ARPA to make it temporary, and failing to support the department has caused irreparable harm.
- Reappointment of Jon Murad as Police Chief: Despite his use of biased, coded language against Black residents, Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak continues to support Chief Murad, undermining her promises of inclusivity. The defamation of character and false claims against Tyeastia Green, including unfounded accusations at Juneteenth 2023’s gospel brunch, further exemplify this betrayal.
- Neglect of Tyeastia Green: The Mayor has failed to address the racial targeting of Tyeastia Green, allowing injustice to persist. The legacy of Tyeastia’s work has been erased, with the Juneteenth event diminished, and her contributions to projects like “Embrace and Belonging” ignored. The stagnation of the Reparations Task Force, the ending of Racial Justice training for city employees, and the loss of trust in the community are also direct consequences of this neglect.
These actions suggest that racial equity, particularly for Black residents, is being sacrificed. The Rutland Area NAACP recognizes the complexities of leadership but believes Burlington’s challenges cannot be effectively addressed without a strong commitment to racial justice, which is foundational to community safety, economic stability, and overall progress.
We demand that Tyeastia Green’s grievances be resolved through restoration and wellness, and we call on the restorative justice community to ensure this happens. Furthermore, we ask the city of Burlington to take substantial steps to prevent such harm from befalling another Black leader. How will the city change to ensure this never happens again?
This betrayal is a painful reminder that the fight for racial justice is often undermined by those who claim to be allies but fail to stand with us when it truly counts. We call on Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak to reflect on her promises and take immediate, tangible steps to restore trust with the Black community. Anything less would be a continuation of the betrayal that has already caused so much harm.
Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP 