‘Are our kids going to be targets?’ Black parents fear new Florida law arming teachers

Mar 9, 2018

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Three days ago, the Florida Senate passed Bill 7026, The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which allows teachers to arm themselves in schools and in classrooms.

The bill also increases the legal age of gun purchase from 18 to 21.

But there is widespread concern about the implications and detrimental impact The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act could have on students of color.

Especially Black boys.

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Parents, Democratic lawmakers, and civil rights groups came out in strong opposition to the bill and claim their perspectives were largely ignored by lawmakers.

“My voice was never heard,” said Miami Democratic Rep. Roy Hardemon to CNN. “No one heard our cry.”

Given that there is statistical proof that students of color are disproportionately subject to punishment more than their white counterparts for the same offenses these representatives and parents of color have every reason to be concerned about The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

With this bill, someone who meets the specified criteria to carry firearms in school will be granted the ability to be armed on their school’s campus. Still, it will not be mandated that teachers and administrators carry firearms, as individuals must volunteer.

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Some Black parents have already gone so far to say that they will consider pulling their children from school if their district implements The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.

Lawmakers are also looking at assigning more law enforcement at every school site. “The safe-school officer requirement can be satisfied by appointing any combination of a school resource officer, a school safety officer, or a school guardian,” reads the bill.

Countless studies have shown that an increased presence of authority over Black children significantly correlate with “inexplainable” rises in numbers of detention, suspensions, and eventually arrests. The “inexplainable” factor, you can imagine, relates to systemic oppression and racism.

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The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights conducted a study in 2012 that determined that “Black children represent 18% of preschool enrollment, but 48% of preschool children receiving more than one out-of-school suspension; in comparison, white students represent 43% of preschool enrollment but 26% of preschool children receiving more than one out of school suspension.” And these disproportionate statistics continue throughout education, and continues to build until the children get their first official arrest and continue a strategic cycle into the criminal system.

“We’ve already been traumatized and looking over our shoulder after everything that happened with Trayvon Martin and what happened in Ferguson and everywhere else,” said Floridia mother of three Sulaya Williams to CNN. “And now we’re going to be sitting here wondering are our kids going to be targets while going to school?”