May 2nd 2024.
A recent report from the National Women’s Law Center and Southern Poverty Law Center has shed light on the increasing difficulties faced by Black girls in terms of school safety and policing. Titled "Keep Her Safe: Centering Black Girls in School Safety," the report delved into the experiences of a group of Black girls and young women between the ages of 14 to 24 in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. It was discovered that these students often face harsh treatment from school resource officers and security guards, including incidents of sexual harassment from the guards, such as making inappropriate comments about their appearance.
One of the major issues highlighted in the report was the lack of privacy for Black girls due to strict bathroom regulations. This resulted in them being subjected to public humiliation during in-class searches by police officers and even K-9s. Additionally, the limited support available for students at risk or those who have experienced sexual harassment and assault meant that discipline measures, such as detention, often mimicked the conditions of a prison.
A 12th grade student from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their thoughts on the matter, stating, “Schools are where we spend the majority of our time, so the environment needs to feel safe. You need to have some level of comfort being in your school. And, of course, there should be no risk of bodily harm.”
The report also highlighted the concept of "adultification," which refers to the perception that Black girls are older than they are, and are often seen as less innocent and more promiscuous compared to their white counterparts. One junior from the same high school recalled an incident where a security guard was arrested and is currently facing charges for inappropriately touching two female students and requesting sexual favors from another student.
The issue of discriminatory practices by Florida school security officers has come under scrutiny in recent times. One sophomore from Miami Northwestern Senior High School claimed to have witnessed security officers being more "gentle and compassionate" towards students with lighter skin tones. This is just one example of the racial disparities faced by Black girls in the education system.
Furthermore, Black girls are more likely to receive out-of-school suspensions or expulsions compared to white girls. Shockingly, approximately 25% of Black girls involved in school-based incidents are arrested instead of being given a civil citation.
A student from Homestead Senior High School shared their perspective on this issue, saying, "I feel like when you’re a Black student, and you go to school, they don’t see you as 'just a kid.' No, they see you as a grown person who’s responsible for your decisions, and of course, you are, but I feel like, as kids, we should be given second chances."
The report revealed that during the 2020-2021 school year, there were close to 1,300 security guards listed as employees in Miami schools, which is nearly double the number of full-time school counselors. Miami Northwestern Senior High School alone had around 20 security guards in addition to police officers.
Bayliss Fiddiman, the Director of Education Equity at the National Women’s Law Center, emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for Black girls in schools, stating, “Black girls everywhere deserve to feel safe in schools. In discussions about school safety, the experiences of Black girls are often overlooked, resulting in ineffective measures that fail to address the specific barriers, stereotypes, and harms they face based on their race and gender.”
Fortunately, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. seem to share this sentiment. In February 2024, representatives Robin Kelly, Yvette Clarke, and Bonnie Watson Coleman reintroduced the Protect Black Women and Girls Act, which was initially introduced in 2021. The bill has received support from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and aims to create a task force to examine the conditions and experiences of Black women and girls in areas such as education, economic development, healthcare, and more.
The legislation also seeks to promote community-based methods for addressing harm and ensuring accountability, as well as studying the societal effects on Black women and girls. This is a crucial step towards bringing about positive changes for students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools and beyond.
The report also provides recommendations for schools and lawmakers to promote "holistic school safety," which involves addressing the psychological, emotional, and physical safety needs of all students. This includes investing in student support services and engaging in meaningful conversations with students to ensure they feel safe from sexual harassment and assault, particularly from school-based police officers and security guards.
It is time for schools and lawmakers to take action and prioritize the safety and well-being of Black girls in the education system. By implementing the recommendations from this report and enacting legislation that addresses the specific challenges faced by Black girls, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students.
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