Medium Post 9/16
Before immersing myself in this week’s materials, I was familiar with Michelle Alexander’s novel The New Jim Crow. As part of my Modern Dilemmas course in high school, I examined certain chapters of this work and gained an understanding of her argument, which prompted me to more deeply investigate institutionalized racism in the US. Prior to viewing the documentary Pushout: the Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, I was completely unaware of the multiple ways in which black girls face immense challenges in education and the criminal justice system. Both of these works forced me to consider how our government institutions perpetuate these inherent biases and ask why they have gone unchallenged for such a long time.
The recurring cycle of division between African Americans and poor and working class whites stood out to me as especially interesting. Alexander explains that throughout history, these groups begin to unite under a common motive for progress and equity. Yet time and time again, upper class groups and government parties drive a wedge between blacks and whites to reinforce racial divisions and promote racial solidarity among lower white classes. After completing the reading, I was shocked by how many times this strategy worked successfully. I began to wonder why more Americans, particularly lower class whites, have not noticed how their vulnerabilities are taken advantage of to continue discrimination.
The documentary highlights the criminalization of black girls in schools, due in part to their adultification. Throughout their lives, black girls deal with trauma which forces them to mature earlier than they should. Many education systems do not understand what these girls go through and unfairly punish them for misbehavior. This cycle plays a role in their criminality and incarceration. Again, I was disheartened by this repeated pattern of discrimination and wondered what changes need to occur in order to alter the narrative. I believe the addition of community programs similar to those seen in the documentary, such as SOUL sisters and EMERGE, will foster public accountability and create safe spaces for giving voice to those who feel unheard.
After contemplating the materials, I wondered how Americans can disrupt these patterns to truly create progress in the future. One aspect of the BLM movement which serves this purpose is the unification of several marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ and minority women. Coming together under a common goal has almost always worked to bring real social change in the past, so why can this possibility not hold true in the future? Most recently, I have seen this pattern reemerge in the 2020 election. In the beginning of September, President Trump travelled to Kenosha, Wisconsin in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake. Trump did not mention Blake during his visit or offer condolences to the family. He publicly conveyed his support to the police department and visited shops damaged by riots. By deliberately focussing his attention on law enforcement, Trump supports the stereotypes of black criminality and the dangers African Americans pose to others. He perpetuates the “tough on crime” narrative echoed by past leaders. These actions speak directly to the cycle of division between African Americans and white classes. Despite the actions of one political figure, I hope that the public can recognize when to come together in support of one another and develop plans for a more peaceful, unified, and equitable future. #relg102
