#thirdey

opening

the split

Treating black girls in school like criminals. #BlackGirlsMatter Girls who are suspended face a significantly greater likelihood of dropping out of school  and are more likely to have contact with the juvenile justice system. The long-term consequences of dropping out are particularly troubling for black as well as Latina girls, including a greater prevalence of low-wage work and unemployment. Because detachment from school carries so many negative consequences, efforts to reverse these patterns must be informed by a closer look at how girls experience the push and pull factors that shape their attachment to school. Even as adolescents, black girls must grapple with the cruelties of racism that will cause a wide range of socioeconomic consequences that could have harmful long-term mental health consequences. “Being disproportionately targeted for disciplinary action can lead to internalizing those beliefs,” psychology professor Kira Banks said. “Negative beliefs about oneself and racial group has been correlated with increased negative body image, drinking as a coping mechanism, and psychological distress.” It is hard being black in America at any age It is not surprising that such unfair treatment can lead to symptoms of hopelessness, anxiety and fears that cause mental health problems. Black people are 20 times more likely to report having serious psychological distress than white people, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health. How can black people deal with this? Finding ways to heal is crucial, as black people fight the white supremacist structures while maintaining their mental health. One resource is the Association of Black Psychologists, which may have a local branch near your city or town. The national organization hosts the Emotional Emancipation Initiative, a worldwide movement for the healing, wellness, and empowerment of black people. It’s impossible to deal with the stresses of racism all by ourselves. Black people will continue to bear the heaviest burden of American racism, but we don’t have to suffer while we fight it. #cityovgods #blackmatrix #rbg #thirdey