The Impact of No Excuses Policies on Black Males Exposed to Cumulative Trauma

• In Event: Psychological Perspectives, Race, and Healing in Black Education

Abstract

Zero tolerance discipline policies like ‘No Excuses’ have been scrupulously crafted, packaged and sold to low income people of color as the prescription for academic proficiency and career excellence. Many of the students who attend ‘No Excuses’ schools happen to be young Black males who have faced or are facing an inordinate amount of cumulative trauma. Yet, few research studies exist questioning if the discipline structure carries not only intellectual and ethnic identity related hazards, but psychological and emotional ones as well. Therefore, this manuscript is dedicated to examining if prolonged exposure to cumulative trauma impacts how Black males navigate ‘No Excuses’ schools and whether that exposure inhibits or enhances their ability to achieve academically at school.

Author

• Ramon Markee Jevon Griffin, H.U.R.T. LLC