About Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Principal's Office?
Beginning
as early as preschool, Black students are disproportionately suspended and
expelled from school. As many of these students reach adulthood, these
punishments can lead to legal trouble, creating what some call the
“school-to-prison pipeline” that affects many Black communities.
Why
are Black students punished more than others in the classroom? Based on his
extensive research and teaching experience, Abe demonstrates that the racial
achievement gap cannot be solved without first addressing the discipline gap.
In communities across the state, crucial questions must be faced: What is the difference
between subjective and objective forms of discipline? What is “academic
self-esteem” and “Cool Pose?” And in a state where 90% of teachers are White
and the student body is only 56% White, would a more diverse teaching staff
help? Does the discipline gap affect other communities of color? And what
solutions can we can learn to help ALL students succeed? Explore how all of
us—citizens, educators, law enforcement, and others—can close the gap.
About
the Speaker:
Dr.
Daudi Abe is a professor, writer, and historian who has taught and written
about race, gender, education, hip-hop, and sports spanning four decades.
Dr.
Abe’s forthcoming book, Emerald Street: A History of Hip-Hop in Seattle,
will be published in 2020 by University of Washington Press. His writing has
been featured locally in The Stranger, The Seattle Times, and Crosscut,
and he has appeared on national media such as MSNBC, and NPR. In 2013 6 N
the Morning: West Coast Hip-Hop Music 1987-1992 & the Transformation of
Mainstream Culture (Over the Edge Books) was published.
Dr.
Abe has taught all levels from kindergarten to graduate school, serving the
last fifteen-plus years as an instructor at Seattle Central College, where he
has developed several courses, including 'HUM 125: Hip-Hop Theory &
Culture' and 'HUM 130: Sports & Culture'.
Working
with educators has always been of great interest, and recently Dr. Abe has
helped develop the Academy for Rising Educators (ARE), a partnership between
Seattle Central College and Seattle Public Schools to develop and certify
homegrown, culturally responsive teachers.
Dr.
Abe has expanded this critical discourse with educators into law enforcement,
including the design and delivery of a first-of-its-kind 'History of Race &
Policing' pilot course at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training
Commission.
Dr.
Abe holds an MA in human development and earned a PhD in education from the
University of Washington.