Unfortunately for Black boys, being an “unruly” child in school could have you sent to prison and not just the Principal’s office.
Black boys in schools are treated poorly based off of stereotypes based on the definition of unruly. This is one of the causes of the high numbers of Black boys being suspended from schools.
If we’re going to change suspension and drop out rates of Black boys in schools, we’re going to have to invest time in training teachers in social justice.
We all know that Black boys have been unjustly characterized as unruly students at school. What are we going to do about it?
Black male teachers can help support Black boys facing discipline challenges through mentorship as opposed to suspension.
Profound Gentlemen has taught me take a little more time in making decisions regarding the discipline of Black boys in schools. The organization supports and empowers Black male educators by incorporating social justice best practices in our schools.
It’s important for parents of Black boys to know how the law defines unruly behavior. Unruly behavior includes offenses of minors that have legal implications include but are not limited to truancy, running away from home and incorruptibility.
A juvenile is defined as one who is charged with an offense which would not be a crime if it were committed by an adult identified as “unruly” behavior.
Every parent raising Black boys should know this!
The (7) things that define unruly behavior. The unruly behavior of a child:
- Is subject to compulsory school attendance and is habitually and without justification truant from school
- Is habitually disobedient of the reasonable and lawful commands of the child’s parent, guardian, or other custodian and is ungovernable
- Has committed an offense which is applicable only to a child
- Has without just cause and without the consent of the child’s parent or legal custodian deserted the child’s place of abode
- Wanders or loiters about the streets of any city, or in or about any highway or any public place, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.
- Disobeys the terms of supervision contained in a court order which has been directed to such child who has been adjudicated unruly
- Patronizes any bar where alcoholic beverages are being sold, unaccompanied by such child’s parent
Jason has worked in education for over 15 years as a teacher, blogger and community advocate. He speaks and writes primarily about the need to improve education for Black boys, particularly increasing the number of Black male educators in schools. In addition to blogging here at EdLanta, Jason is also a featured writer at Education Post.