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Pushout: Film Screening: Fri., Dec. 4th (6:00-7:30pm) & Panel Discussion: Sat., Dec. 5th (2:30-4:00pm)

Pushout Documentary Livestream and Panel Discussion

Hosted by MaldenCORE with Malden Public Library

On Friday, December 4th from 6:00-7:30pm the Malden Public Library and MaldenCORE will host a livestream of the documentary film, “Pushout.” The public is invited to view the documentary together (79 min.). Register online at Eventbrite for the film screening at: https://bit.ly/PushoutScreening

On Saturday, Dec. 5th from 2:30-4:00pm, join us for a discussion with panelists from the Malden community. Register online, at Eventbrite for the panel discussion: https://bit.ly/PushoutDiscussion

The award-winning film, based on the book Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique Morris, examines the disproportionate discipline Black girls face beginning in preschool, as compared to white girls. National statistics show that suspensions and arrests happen much more frequently to Black girls in school and that even very young Black girls are punished more severely than white girls for age-appropriate behaviors that a teacher may dislike. The unjust system helps to create a pipeline to prison for Black girls. Through the stories of Black girls and their families, the film illustrates how being unjustly criminalized attacks a Black girl’s self-esteem, mental health, and social relationships, pushing girls out of school and all too often, into self-harm and prison. The film explores both the depth of the impact and the possibilities for solutions.

After the film, panelists will take the issue of the criminalization of Black girls to a local level. The panelists include educators and students from the Malden community. Sharing their personal experiences and perspectives, the panelists will reflect: Are Black girls over-disciplined in Malden schools? What is the impact on girls and their families? Why is this happening, and what must we do to change minds, hearts, and the system, so that Black girls in Malden schools will no longer suffer disproportionate punishments?

Panelists include Jennifer Hedrington, Malden middle school teacher and 2020  Massachusetts Teacher of the Year; Bwann Gwann, a Malden resident and a Lesley University administrator; and Shataeya Smith, a 2019 Malden High School graduate, sophomore at UMass Lowell, and racial justice activist. By hosting this event, MaldenCORE hopes to not only lift up this aspect of the school-to-prison pipeline but also to energize Malden’s people, school district, and community to work toward change.