Counselors, Not Cops: A Narrative Inquiry of Youth Organizing for Police-Free Schools

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Eleven
  In Roundtable Session: Youth and Educators Organizing for Justice (Table 3)

Abstract

This study examines the narratives of youth organizers for the police-free schools movement in Chicago. The study elevates their experiences with policing and their motivations for demonstrating youth agency on this critical social issue. Through narrative inquiry, the results revealed that the Black youth leaders in this study experienced or witnessed traumatic experiences of policing in their schools and communities. These incidents coupled with other social injustices they faced catalyzed their leadership in youth organizing in general, but specifically on policing and schools. Findings also suggest that while youth demonstrated social justice leadership and worked with progressive adult allies, they often felt tokenized and exploited in their quest to bring about more just conditions in Chicago Public Schools.

Authors

• Zongqi Li, University of Houston
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rhoda Freelon, The Spencer Foundation
  Presenting Author