We Must Continue to Advocate for Black Girls and their Childhood
Join the Alliance! Ruth’s Way is a proud partner of Gwen’s Girls and the Black Girls Equity Alliance (BGEA)
We Must Continue to Advocate for Black Girls and their Childhood
By now, you have probably seen the disturbing video of police pepper-spraying a nine-year-old Black girl as she cried out for her father to help her. This is yet another unfortunate example of what our partner, Dr. Jamilia Blake has researched and presented to us about the Adultification of Black Girls. This ordeal occurred in Rochester, NY, however, the horrendous act could have unfolded anywhere in the country, including right here in our backyard. Nationally and locally, Black girls are at the highest risk of being arrested and detained by the juvenile justice system. In Pittsburgh, they are ten times more likely to be arrested than white girls. Many juvenile justice-involved girls have unaddressed mental health needs and a history of complex trauma. As illustrated in the video, police, at times, escalate situations rather than taking a trauma-informed approach, creating a safe, secure and developmentally appropriate space.
Gwen’s Girls and the Black Girls Equity Alliance is fighting for this system change. If we don’t do something to change current practices and interactions between law enforcement and Black girls, today’s headline will be a reoccurring news story. The girl in the video could be a girl in your neighborhood, a girl in your child’s class or a girl you pass on the street. You can’t pass up this call to help her. Be a part of system solutions and attend our next BGEA meeting.
Juvenile Justice Workgroup: Co-conveners Kim Booth and Dr. Sara Goodkind
Next Monthly Meeting: 2/18/21, 3-5 pm EST
https://gwensgirls-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApdu-rpjouE92W1CghDTzw0kj46-eqdaQc
Meetings will occur on the 3rd Thursday of every month, 3-5 pm EST