PUSHOUT: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF BLACK GIRLS IN SCHOOLS is a feature length
documentary, based on a book of the same name by Dr. Monique Morris, EdD, that takes a
deep dive into the lives of Black Girls and the practices, cultural beliefs and policies that disrupts
one of the most important factors in girls ‘ lives – education.
The documentary underscores the challenges Black Girls face with insight from experts across
the country who have worked extensively in the field of social justice, gender equality and
educational equity. These experts give context to the crisis and provide a roadmap for how our
educational system and those who interact with Black Girls can provide positive rather than
punitive responses to behaviors that are often misunderstood or mis-represented.
While the challenges facing Black Boys in this country has garnered national attention, absent
that conversation was how girls of color, particularly Black Girls are being impacted. PUSHOUT
addresses that crisis. We hear from girls as young as seven and as old as nineteen, as they
describe navigating a society that often marginalizes and dismisses them.
At the same time the documentary lays out how adults and policy makers can address the
needs of these young girls and women with positive responses that can short circuit the
pervasive over punishment of Black Girls.