I Asked the Department of Education to Fight for Black Girls. They Ignored Me.

Walking down the hallway at school, an administrator stopped me in my tracks. I felt her eyes glare from the top of my head, past my torso and down my legs. She told me that my shorts were too short and that she didn’t want to see me wearing them ever again. I felt embarrassed and shaken, and for the rest of the day, I wondered if her impression of me had changed simply because of the shorts I was wearing.

My experience isn’t unique. Thousands of girls have similar stories of being pulled out of class or stopped by an administrator  because of what we look like. The plain truth is that Black girls are disciplined because of dress code violations much more frequently than our white peers are, and often face much harsher consequences.

And last month, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos endorsed this discriminatory discipline by revoking President Obama’s Rethink Discipline guidance — essentially giving school administrators the green light to criminalize students of color. 

To be clear, this decision doesn’t change the law, but it sends a disturbing message to students: Your government doesn’t care about creating welcoming, safe learning environments for all students.

In May, I co-authored Dress Coded: Black Girls, Bodies, and Bias in D.C. Schools with the National Women’s Law Center because I wanted to shine a light on how dress codes single out girls as objects of discrimination and contribute to pushing us out of school. I was excited that officials from the U.S. Department of Education granted our request to talk about the report and learn how they could ensure Black girls feel welcome and respected in school. In our meeting, I asked them to commit to preserving the Rethink Discipline guidance, which addressed unfair disciple in school. They agreed that disproportionally disciplining students of color is a problem and expressed concern about students losing classroom time. I believed they would make things right. Clearly, I was wrong.

Black girls are six times more likely to be suspended than their white peers. And in some states like the District of Columbia where I live, Black girls are 20 times more likely to be suspended than white girls.

The frequency of suspension is not because we misbehave or disrupt the learning of our peers more, but because Black girls are punished for minor and non-existent offenses, like dress or hair code violations. Stereotypes that influence the way teachers see and respond to students of color lead to severe disciplinary action that is often uncalled for. For example, society has learned to sexualize the curves and bodies of Black girls. As a result, teachers feel the need to “save” or “protect” Black girls from their perceived sexuality, which often comes in the form of being sent to the principal’s office for wearing a tank top or daring to bare your shoulders. Black girls are also punished for reasons such as “talking back” or “being loud,” which feeds into the angry black girl stereotype. We’re even punished for having experienced sexual harassment or violence because Black girls aren’t seen as victims.

That’s why the Obama Administration’s Rethink Discipline guidance was necessary. And it’s why the DeVos Department’s decision to remove its support for that guidance is so devastating.

There’s one small silver lining though. The guidance documents still exist, even though the Department has stepped away from them. Schools should still use them to reshape their discipline policies. And students should hold their schools accountable for discriminating against Black girls.

Girls at my school drafted an alternate dress code and met with administrators to negotiate this new policy. When they refused to take us seriously, we protested. My classmates spoke up about their negative experiences with the dress code — from feeling sexualized by our own teachers to being taken out of important class time to change clothes. We also laid out ways to change enforcement, so it doesn’t target Black girls. And we won. Our school finally agreed to adopt our proposed changes and implement a new system of dress codes that will no longer target Black girls.

I know I’m not the only one who believes that schools need to rethink discipline. There’s a whole movement of students, parents, teachers, and administrators behind me. We believe all students deserve to learn free from discrimination and stereotypes. If Betsy DeVos won’t champion that cause, we will.

Fatimah Fair is a student activist and co-author of Dress Coded: Black Girls, Bodies, and Bias in D.C. Schools. She graduated from DC’s School Without Walls High School in spring 2018 and currently attends Lafayette College. She is joined by 200 students from 14 states and the District of Columbia who believe schools should rethink unfair discipline policies that contribute to school pushout.

Jordyn Harris, Park School of Baltimore Maryland
Havana Frakes , The Bolles School, Florida
Aela Mansmann, Cape Elizabeth High School, Maine
Lillian Frame, Cape Elizabeth High School, Maine
Elizabeth Miller, Saint Martin’s University, Washington
Hazel Jordan, Olympia High School, Washington
Isiah Williams, Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, Washington, DC
Vivika Sweiven, Olympia High School, Washington
Amanda Chhouk, Century High School, California
Noemi Cortes, Goethe Elementary School, Illinois
Basil J. Mann, Inspired Teaching Demonstration School, Washington DC
Maeson Dewey, East High School, Utah
Valeria Jimenez, Idea Carver College Prep, Texas
Mallory Deprey, Consolidated School District of New Britain, Connecticut
Daijah Hill, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Maryland
Alexis Gray, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Maryland
Laura Jaso, Angleton High School, Texas
Dajinae Bell, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Maryland
Katherine Gallardo, Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences, Texas
Sasha Friese, Olympia High School, Washington
Jaylah Morton, Fort Vancouver High School, Washington
Athalia Jack, Richards, Clara Barton High School, New York
Jayda Allen, St.Anthony Academy, Texas
Gabrielle Justice, St.Anthony, Texas
Kenadie Hayes, St. Anthony Academy, Texas
Amiah Walker, Nova Academy, Texas
Kendal Taylor, Charles Rice, Texas
Torre Sullivan, St.Anthony Academy, Texas
Cortney Turner, St. Anthony Academy, Texas
Essence Moore, St. Anthony Academy, Texas
Natalie Vazquez, Marist College, New York
Gabriella Roldan, Itech Preparatory Middle School, Washington
Emilla Romero, McLoughlin Middle School, Washington
Aidan Tisnado, McLoughlin Middle School, Washington
Alexandra Serrano, Hudson Bay High School, Washington
Diana Villa Valdez, Mcloughlin Middle School, Washington
Aujine Curry, McLoughlin Middle School, Washington
Jordyn, iTech Prep, Washington
Andrea Serrano, McLoughlin Middle School, Washington
Beatriz Valencia, McLoughlin Middle School, Washington
Chara Lyons, Clara Barton High School, New York
Cynthia Huerta, The Young Women’s Leadership School Of Brooklyn, New York
Ajmaani Whitter, Clara Barton High School, New York
Mariam Illiassou, Clara Barton High School, New York
Cherrilan Perryman, Cherrilan Perryman, New York
Sekeyere Johnson, P.S.272, New York
Bernadine Thomas, Digitec Technical High School, New York
Aya, Billingsley, Minnesota
Tariq Yearwood, Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School, New York
Millisa Coward, Digital Arts and Cinema Technology High School, New York
Charlize Battle, W.E Greiner, Texas
Andrea Aguilera, Trinity Basin Preparatory, Texas
Alyssa Vargas, W.E Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy, Texas
Celeste Hernandez, Texas
Kennedy Freeman, Academy for Academics and Arts, Alabama
Nahla Bessent, Providence Elementary, Alabama
Kamari Bartlett, Hampton Cove Elementary School, Alabama
Karyah Jackson, Academy for Science and Foreign Language, Alabama
Tamea Edwards, Academy of Science and Foreign Language, Alabama
Nyla Ellison, Lakewood Elementary, Alabama
Skylynn Green, Rolling Hills Elementary, Alabama
Jaelynn Walker, Highlands Elementary, Alabama
Jesi McCroy, Oakwood Christian Academy, Alabama
Monique Johnson, Hansberry College Prep, Illinois
Darece Pickett, Hansberry College Prep, Illinois
Sa’Maya Taylor, Hansberry College Prep, Illinois
Yanira Balderrama, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Adrianna Jean-Jumeau, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Christianna Smith, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Cord Villdger, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Evan Halen, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Brianna, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Christian Holt, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Kennedy Johnson, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Laterric Spivey, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Aubrey Nelson, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Semari Murphy, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Teona Holman, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Kelsey, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Amelia Stanusood, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Yaseah Harris, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Zaire Jackson, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Nazaria Searcy, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Zania M, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Starkja Byrd, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Derriona Salter, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Kevah Phililps, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Alexis Jordan, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Makeria Johnson, Hillsboro High School, Tennessee
Sara Martinez, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Jenifer Juares, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Kierra Kay, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Izamar Martinez, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Asia Owens, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Kiara Redic, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Natasia Wiley, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Dametria Samuel, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Brooke Mitchell, Eastern Hills High School, Texas
Linda Guillotti , Florida International University, Florida
Izabelle Aguirre, Trinity Basin, Texas
Zoey Contreras, Rosemont Lower Elementary, Texas
Briana Martinez, Coral Reef Senior High, Florida
Camilla Contreras, Rosemont Lower Elementary, Texas
Brianna Vargas, Rosemont Upper Elementary, Texas
Aliyah Arrendondo, Trinity Basin, Texas
Chloe Ramirez, Hogg Elementary, Texas
Evelyn Pinson, Reagan Elementary, Texas
Jayla Perez, Trinity Basin, Texas
Christina Roca, Coral Reef Senior High School, Florida
Julie Anglen, Sandalwood High School, Florida
Lailah Mills, Florida
Michael Griffin, University Christian School , Florida
Marianas Fernandez, Alameda High School, California
Annabel Fiero, Alameda High School, California
James Ward, Coral Reef Senior High School, Florida
Leslie Zepeda, Coral Reef Senior High School, Florida
Nyla Tiller, Four Corners Charter School, Florida
Marsonise Fils, Clara Barton High School, New York
Cynthia Naomi Beall, Alameda High School, California
Lucia Meyer-Wilson, Coral Gables High School, Florida
Taleeya Brooks, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Mikayla Canty, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Eimony Conito, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Dalayla Davis, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Ellianna Diggs, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Rosalina Diggs, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Jaydin Edwards, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Jaleea Gipson, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Da’ishiya Jackson, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Danasia James, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Destiny Lugardo, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Cami Martin, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Malaya Perkins, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Brooklynn Peterson, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Syrena Richard, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Iyana Smith, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Najae Swanigan, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Tamia Walton, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Ashley Warren, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Jaylah Willis, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Dietra Reed, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Mariah Roper, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Zallina Miller, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Julia Rodriguez, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Natasha Lancour, Denfeld High School, Minnesota
Hilary Pataud, Clara Barton, New York
Kisiwaa Rockson, New York
Mhoreen Lumose, Clara Barton High School , New York
Monique Antoine, New York
Alexa Vigueras, Coral Reef Senior High, Florida
Tatiana Dorestant, Clara Barton High School, New York
Sophia Rojas, Coral Reef High, Florida
Matiam Illiassou, New York
Morella Espinosa, Coral Reef Senior High, Florida
Alexa Vigueras, Coral Reef Senior High, Florida
Sarah Smathers, Stanton College Preparatory, Florida
Chloe M Medina, Florida International University, Florida
Sylvanna Loo, Florida International University, Florida
Reshae Staples, Hansberry College Prep, Illinois
Angelique Miller, Hansberry College Prep, Illinois
Danny Fernandez, Florida International University, Florida
Jennessa Perez, Cinema High School, New York
Alex Baker, Talent Unlimited, New York
Jack Lehman, High School for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering at City College of New York, New York
Emily Garcia, High School of Telecommunications Arts and Technology, New York
Emilia Lord, The Bronx High School of Science, New York
Paola Mena, Pelham Preparatory Academy, New York
Alex Baker, Talent Unlimited, New York
Jack Lehman, High School for Mathematics, Science & Engineering at City College of New York, New York
Emily Garcia, High School of Telecommunications Arts and Technology, New York
Emilia Lord, The Bronx High School of Science, New York
Paola Mena, Pelham Preparatory Academy, New York
Sasha Gannon, NYC Museum School, New York
Rayan, Academy of American Studies, New York
Laura Saint Victor, Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women, New York
Anna Garrison-Bedell, Bard High School, New York
Cole, Neufeld, New York
Maya Karri, Hunter College High School, New York
Samantha Lipstein, NYC Lab School, New York
Kamali Baker, Gramercy Arts High School, New York
Arielle Silvan, The Beacon School, New York
Destiny Villa, Hartnell Community College, California
Rahma Tasnim, Bronx High School of Science, New York
Lily Bowman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, New York
Grace Carrier, Brooklyn Technical High School, New York
Alliyah Logan, NYC iSchool, New York
Aniz Inc, Martin Luther King Jr High School, Georgia
Mamourou Kone, Central Park East High School, New York
Alan Martinez, Queens Technical High School, New York
Ella Breiman, NYC Lab School, New York
Michelle Ramirez, Fort Hamilton High School, New York
Bryanna Antigua, Grace Church School High School Division, New York
Patricia Ramirez, Austin ISD, Texas
Melissa Berger, Academy for Health Careers, New York
Chase Johnson, Hansberry College Prep, Illinois
Jennifer Martin, UIS, Illinois
Annalisa Kewal, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, New York
Jhan Chavez Sanchez, Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, New York
Andrea Ramirez, Tafolla Middle School, Texas
Jojo Perell, Avenues The World School, New York