Caught Up in the Aftermath: The Hypercriminalization of Black Girls in an Urban School

• In Event: Women and Girls Navigating Educational Experiences: Supports, Challenges, Sufferings, and Restoration

Abstract

While extant literature has largely focused on Black boys, the unique- and complex- disciplinary experiences of Black girls remain under-researched. To better understand the school pushout phenomenon for Black girls, this qualitative study explores the aftermath of a school fight between 30 Black female students in an urban school. The disciplinary consequence led to the suspension, expulsion, and/or arrest of each girl; however, we contend that an alternative response could have potentially mitigated the hypercriminalization these Black girls experienced during and following the event. Given that exclusionary discipline has proven ineffective at correcting behavior, we recommend that educators/administrators consider restorative practices as a disciplinary intervention.

Authors

• Abiola Farinde-Wu, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Bettie Ray Butler, University of North Carolina - Charlotte