Documentary examines the criminalization of black girls in schools

PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools examines a new and alarming trend: African-American girls are the fastest-growing population in the criminal justice system and the only group of girls disproportionately experiencing criminalization and harsh discipline at every educational level.

This feature-length documentary will screen at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at Augusta University’s Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre. The screening, hosted by the Augusta University College of Education, will include a reception after the film. Reserve your seat here: http://bit.ly/aupushout.

Dr. Darla Linville, assistant professor in the Department of Advanced Studies and Innovation, says schools are grappling with data that shows students of different races get different punishments for similar misbehavior.

“This documentary is an opportunity for the black community and beyond to finally see that this is not a niche issue and can become a vicious cycle if we do nothing,” said Monique W. Morris, an executive producer of the film and author of the book of the same title.

PUSHOUT exposes the educational and judicial disparities African-American girls face in the United States.

The film includes heart-wrenching stories from young women ages 7 to 19 from across the country (Miami; Portland, Oregon; Oakland and Sacramento, California; and Columbus, Ohio) as they narrate the challenges they encounter daily.

The film also includes a local incident that made news in 2015 when a school resource officer in Columbia, South Carolina, violently reprimanded a student who refused to give up her cell phone. The viral video of the incident shows a student sitting at a desk until an officer overturns the desk with her in it, throws her to the ground and arrests her for causing a disturbance in the school.

“In the state of Georgia, we’re in the midst of a conversation about disciplinary disparities by race. Several districts in our area are rethinking discipline to include positive behavior interventions and supports and restorative school practices to change their approach to behavior issues and reduce suspensions and expulsions,” Linville said.

While the over-incarceration and criminalization that black boys face in this country has received national attention, how girls of color — specifically African-American girls — are affected is absent from the conversation. PUSHOUT addresses that crisis.

“For girls, education is a critical protective factor against involvement with the criminal legal system. This documentary explores how black girls are impacted by the policies, practices, conditions and prevailing consciousness that renders them vulnerable to criminalization,” Morris said.

PUSHOUT also features insights from experts across the country who have worked in social justice, gender equality and educational equity. These experts provide context for the crisis and a roadmap for how individuals who interact with African-American girls through the educational and justice systems can provide positive response to behaviors that are often misunderstood and misinterpreted by teachers, administrators and the justice system — the very institutions charged with helping them flourish.

“Morris’ book has already made a big impact on education research and practice, and it’s being used in this campus in criminal justice courses.  This is an opportunity to go deeper into some of the stories that Monique Morris presents in the book, and to engage in conversation with community members about the topics in the film, in order to find steps to take to understand what we can all do to advocate for educational opportunities for black girls,” Linville said.

PUSHOUT is a film by Jacoba Atlas and Monique W. Morris, produced by Women in the Room Productions with executive producer Denise Pines and director Jacoba Atlas. Funding is provided by NoVo Foundation, Meadow Fund, Ford Foundation, Ms. Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Stuart Foundation and Films for Purpose. Learn more about the film.