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Day 17 –Criminalization of Black Girls
Now that we have looked at the effects of mass incarceration on marginalized groups let us take a closer look at how these practices have influenced other systems in our country. Our current school systems are modeling our justice systems approach to disciplining and reforming black youth. Black children are more likely to be suspended, expelled, and even face criminal charges for basic adolescent behavior while in an academic setting. Black girls are targeted and are being pushed out of the learning environment. Together we will look at the Criminalization of Black girls in schools. We will learn their stories and see what we can do in our own school community to change this narrative.
Did you know that a black girl's educational experience is vastly different than their white counterparts? Check out this website and listen to the stories of young black girls who recount their school experience.
Harsh school disciplinary actions not only affect young black girls. It also affects ALL black and brown youth. Check out this article which details the school to prison pipeline that black and brown children are funneled through.
The discussion of black women has become a movement stemming from the Black Lives Matter movement. Say Her Name is deeper than police brutality. The number of black women who are incarcerated is increasing in rapid numbers. Check out this Ted Talk where we look at the beginning practices of criminalization of black girls. The results of these racial practices are a high number of women who are experiencing the wave of mass incarceration. Read about how many women are incarcerated in the U.S. Lastly, let's look at this the Protect Black Women campaign which is a call to action for the black community to have the same response given to black men who are violated daily by racial injustices. Read Protect Black Women Isn’t Just a Slogan. It Requires Real Work.
After you engage with the challenge materials on criminalization black girls and youth in education, share ideas on how classroom teachers, counselors and administrators can approach school discipline differently. You can share your responses with us @LWScienceHealth on Instagram.
