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NCLAC teams up with Grambling to host ‘Pushout’ documentary

The North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) and Grambling State University recently partnered together to host both a physical and virtual screening of the feature-length documentary “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools.”

It was shown on Feb. 24 in the newly renovated Nursing Building Auditorium on campus.

The film is based on the groundbreaking book of the same name created by Monique W. Morris, Ed. D. The film's goal was to dive into Black girls' harsh reality within the education system. 

African American girls are the fastest-growing population in the juvenile justice system and the only group of girls to disproportionately experience criminalization at every education level, the film says. While the difficulties confronting young Black boys in this nation stand out, missing from that discussion is how young Black girls are being affected. This film tends to that topic. 

The narrative highlights the difficulties individuals of color face. In the film, several young Black girls from the ages of 7 and as old as 19 are featured. They portray exploring a public that frequently underestimates and excuses them.

Simultaneously, the narrative spreads out how grown-ups and policymakers can address the requirements of these little kids and ladies with positive reactions that can overcome the consequences of the misguided discipline of individuals of color. 

After screening the film, the audience could participate in a discussion moderated by Dr. Kathryn Newman and Dr. Ashley Pierre, both Black female educators. 

“It’s about how we respond. Is it with power and control, or is it implemented with love and patience?” Dr. Newman said.

Dr. Pierre offered some advice and posed a question.

 “I encourage you to look at how we transfer those same types of behaviors and policies in everything we’re doing,” Pierre said. “What can we do differently to make things better in our world?”