Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools

by Monique W. Morris

I asked the girls in Chicago what issues or actions have set them off in the past. In response, they identified several triggers: “a look,” “the way you look at [us],” “boys,” “talking behind each other’s back.” “That’s the main thing. ‘I heard you was talking about me,’” Nala said loudly. “People hyping the situation up,” Michelle offered. “Especially the boys . . . but the security guards and the teachers get in it too,” said Nala. I wasn’t expecting that one. “Yeah, the security guards are the worst, though,” Michelle said. “Because the security guards will get cool with the students, and then they’ll get to talking to them about the situation and then go back and tell.” “And that’s how the fight starts,” Nala said. “So what happens when there’s a fight?” I asked. “Then the security guard will break it up and get them suspended,” Michelle said. “After they done hyped this all up . . . they live for fights, so they can have a job to do.”