Embargo Period

8-16-2018

Degree Name

MA in Sustainable Development

First Advisor

Rachel Slocum

Second Advisor

Udi Butler

Abstract

The purpose of this capstone paper is to create a citizen centered advocacy strategy plan, which will be launched through the Girls Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), in order to at the very least, slow the school to prison pipeline. It refers specifically to the zero tolerance policy, which has intensified the movement of Black girls into the pipeline. After reviewing the literature, it was evident that the zero tolerance policy in combination with historical gender and race stereotypes surrounding Black girls, had resulted in implicit bias as a motivational factor in the way Black girls are being punished. Furthermore, there are various socioeconomic issues that affects Blacks girls’ gendered racialized identity that are usually overlooked when addressing Black girls’ behavior.

However, the lack of research on the zero tolerance policy and the school to prison pipeline that accounts for gender, would have one think that Black girls are not subjected to the same pressures to which their Black male counterparts are subjected. The question then arises, what can be done to assist Black girls? In response to this question, I present the Bridge To Her Education (BTHERE) policy and a Girl Scouts of the USA’s led advocacy campaign. The BTHERE policy counters the most harmful points of the zero tolerance policy as it relates to Black girls. The project also present a strategy plan and communications memo to guide GSUSA in their launch of the BTHERE policy.

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Education | Social and Behavioral Sciences

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