As demographic change reshapes New England, longstanding narratives of inclusion are increasingly at odds with the lived realities of communities of color. New research from Dartmouth College, combined with our reporting at New England Ascent Tribune, reveals that racial and social exclusion persist across both rural and urban New England—even in places that pride themselves on progressive values.
Rural New England and the Limits of “Live and Let Live”
In a January 2026 analysis published by Dartmouth College, sociologist Emily Walton documents how racial and ethnic minorities experience exclusion in rural northern New England despite the region’s reputation for tolerance. Drawing on more than seven years of fieldwork and interviews with over 200 residents, Walton introduces the concept of “misrecognition”—the failure to fully acknowledge and affirm the humanity and belonging of people of color.
Walton’s research shows that exclusion in rural New England is rarely overt. Instead, it is embedded in cultural norms shaped by whiteness, reserve, and rugged individualism. These norms often translate into polite distance, colorblind expectations, and social isolation, leaving newcomers and long-term residents of color feeling unseen and disconnected.
Her findings challenge the idea that neutrality or passive tolerance is enough. As Walton argues, a “live and let live” approach may avoid conflict, but it does little to build real belonging in increasingly diverse communities.
Urban New England Reflects Similar Patterns
These dynamics are not confined to rural areas. Our reporting at New England Ascent Tribune has documented rising exclusion faced by immigrants and communities of color across New England’s cities, where diversity is growing, but structural inequities remain deeply entrenched.
In Immigrants of Color Face Rising Exclusion Across New England, we reported on how immigrant communities encounter barriers ranging from social isolation and dehumanizing rhetoric to unequal access to housing, employment, and public services. While the settings differ from rural Vermont or New Hampshire, the underlying patterns mirror Walton’s findings: exclusion often operates subtly, through systems and norms that privilege long-standing identities while marginalizing others.
A Regional Pattern, Not Isolated Incidents
Taken together, Walton’s research and our reporting point to a broader regional reality: Progressive identity does not automatically translate into inclusive practice, Exclusion often operates quietly, through misrecognition and structural barriers, and Demographic change is exposing unresolved tensions around belonging and identity.
From rural towns to major metropolitan areas, communities across New England are grappling with who is seen as “from here” and who is treated as a permanent outsider, even after decades of residence and contributions.
What Inclusion Requires Moving Forward
Both academic research and community-based reporting make one point clear: inclusion requires intentional action. It cannot be achieved through silence, politeness, or symbolic diversity alone.
For New England to live up to its values, institutions and communities must move beyond passive tolerance and confront the social, cultural, and structural forces that continue to exclude people of color, whether in small towns or large cities.
Abdullahi Hussein is a community journalist focused on uplifting immigrant voices and local stories in Boston. He is also our director of editorial and development.
