Tag Archives: PBS

Have Black Girls Been Criminalized in Schools? The Answer Might Be in This New PBS Doc

A
lot of research has been done on the criminalization of Black boys, but few
have taken the time to properly unpack how Black girls are treated by the
media, authorities and in their very own communities. However, Dr. Monique W.
Morris, a social justice scholar and the founder/ president of the National
Black Women’s Justice Institute has stepped up to draw attention to this
crisis.

On
average, few people ever connect the dots and that boils down to value and awareness:
just consider all of the missing girls in this nation, those we know have been kidnapped
and enslaved in Nigeria for trying to get an education in a Chibok school or
the countless ones we read about throughout the world.  Consider all the young girls that are wrapped
up in the R. Kelly mess, and people saying that they (even as teens) knew what
they were doing so they deserved it.

Black
girls just are not valued.

Despite
what seems like a collective dismissal of a problem, PBS will debut a new documentary
entitled PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
on March 16th to dissect the problem by sharing the alarming numbers
of African-American girls facing “unfair and inequitable treatment in schools
across the country and outlines initiatives to help them cope and heal.”

Based
on Morris’ two books PUSHOUT: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” and “Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues,” the documentary, according to
Forbes magazine’s Jane Levere
shows how  “African-American
girls are the fastest-growing population in the juvenile justice system and the
only group of girls disproportionately experiencing harsh discipline at every
educational level.”

She further says that the documentary features
“the heart-wrenching stories from girls ages seven to 19 from across the
country as they narrate the personal challenges they have encountered in their
learning environments and beyond, including the testimony of 12-year-old
Samaya, who was dragged out of class – and out of her school building – at age
seven by her teacher, and left outside to wander the streets for hours before
her parents were notified. The documentary also offers insights from noted
experts who have worked in social justice, gender equality and educational
equity, and explores critical interventions that have been effective in
interrupting criminalization in schools.”

Last December by
Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Bonnie Watson
Coleman (D-NJ) introduced a federal bill inspired by the film called The Ending
PUSHOUT Act of 2019. Perhaps, some things are gonna change.

The
film also will be shown on the PBS WORLD Channel nationwide starting March 17.

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Tavis Smiley Has To Pay PBS $1.5 Million In Countersuit Case

Celebrity Sightings in New York City - December18, 2017

Source: Raymond Hall / Getty

The legal tussle between PBS and Tavis Smiley is still ongoing, and a blow was handed out to the former television host this week. On Wednesday (March 4), the network won $1.5 million citing that Smiley violated a morality clause.

As reported by Variety, Smiley, 55, will have the pay the broadcaster stemming from his admission that he was involved in sexual relationships with members of his staff. Smiley has long contended that these relationships were consensual but PBS stood on the merits of the clause for seeking the damages. Smiley launched a $1 million lawsuit after he was fired in 2017 in the wake of the several allegations of sexual misconduct levied in his direction.

Smiley stated in his lawsuit that he was fired due to racial bias thus launching his legal missive and suing for back pay. PBS countersued having conducted an investigation launched in 2017 and discovered evidence of the allegations that apparently conflicted with the so-called morality clause.

PBS issued a statement in approval of the jury’s decision, citing that their side was “pleased.”

“PBS expects our producing partners to provide a workplace where people feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect. It was important for us to ensure that the courageous women who came forward were able to share their stories and that we continue to uphold the values and standards of our organization,” read part of the statement.

The D.C. Superior Court decision will present a boost to those who spearheaded the #MeToo movement, with hopes that this could change the outcome in other similar cases down the line.

“Because of their voices and determination, and PBS’s fight against harassment, today another jury believed the women and reinforced their right to a safe and dignified workplace in a history-making verdict,” Tina Tchen, CEO of the Time’s Up Foundation, said in a statement.

Photo: Getty

Source: HipHopWired.com

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