On March 21, 2018, seven students from WLP Dorsey participated in an interview with KPFK’s Feminist Magazine. The interview focused on the racial politics of the #MeToo movement and the marginalization of African American girls’ activism. Students discussed “misogynoirist” images (racist gender norms, stereotypes and misperceptions that are specifically aimed at black women and girls) and their efforts to raise awareness about the culturally specific impact of sexual violence, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, harassment, and homophobia on black girls in LAUSD schools. Nationwide, nearly sixty percent of African American girls have experienced sexual abuse by the age of 18. Because of misogynoir and economic inequities, African American girls are also less likely to report sexual abuse and receive trauma care than are white girls. Students and faculty advisor Ashunda Norris stressed the need for mandatory culturally responsive sexual harassment prevention training for K-12 schools that is geared toward communities of color. WLP also highlighted the nexus between over-policing, “random” searches and other criminalizing efforts that disproportionately target black students and precipitate pushout of black girls.
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