Why Black girls?
Much research on youth in Chicago focuses on violence. Black girls are victims of these horrific events, yet their experiences are often overlooked. Chicago Tribune 2018 homicide data tracker report states that out of 230 homicides about 13 were black girls and young women between the ages of 1 and 34. ABC Eyewtiness reports that since March of 2018, at least 5 black women and girls were reported missing on Chicago’s Westside.
Along with horrific rates of homicides, Black girls fall victim to street harassment as well. According to Stop Street Harassment, 99% of women and girls experience street harassment. Black girls are called derogatory names, grabbed, and objectified at school, walking, and at work daily. Historically, black girls are not heard and their complaints go unsubstantiated, discouraging many victims from making a police report. In addition, with the alarming numbers of police brutality among black women and girls, it is not a coincidence that police are not viewed as trusted public figures.
Black girls are not always protected at schools either. In schools across the nation, black girls are disciplined 50 % higher than their male and non black counterparts. Girls have self reported feeling hyper visible when being disciplined and invisible when needing academic support. Ideas of black girls as passive, aggressive, Jezebels, and incompetent leads to over disciplining, taking away girls’ autonomy to fully express themselves.
To resolve issues that impact girls many adults rely on respectability politics. Well-intended respectability instills dignity and racial uplift, however, it can often times enforce bias beliefs around sexuality, proper behavior, how girls should wear their clothes, ways they should speak. These beliefs infer that girls are the reason for their own victimhood and limit their rightful liberties.
Melt exists to bring attention to critical issues that girls face daily. By providing space where girls can individually and collectively express themselves. In Melt, they can think through social conditions and develop positive outlets. .Both boys and girls in Melt are committed to theories, praxis and practices that support the safety and expression of black girls. Most importantly, Melt exists as a platform for youth to be seen, heard and valued.
Along with horrific rates of homicides, Black girls fall victim to street harassment as well. According to Stop Street Harassment, 99% of women and girls experience street harassment. Black girls are called derogatory names, grabbed, and objectified at school, walking, and at work daily. Historically, black girls are not heard and their complaints go unsubstantiated, discouraging many victims from making a police report. In addition, with the alarming numbers of police brutality among black women and girls, it is not a coincidence that police are not viewed as trusted public figures.
Black girls are not always protected at schools either. In schools across the nation, black girls are disciplined 50 % higher than their male and non black counterparts. Girls have self reported feeling hyper visible when being disciplined and invisible when needing academic support. Ideas of black girls as passive, aggressive, Jezebels, and incompetent leads to over disciplining, taking away girls’ autonomy to fully express themselves.
To resolve issues that impact girls many adults rely on respectability politics. Well-intended respectability instills dignity and racial uplift, however, it can often times enforce bias beliefs around sexuality, proper behavior, how girls should wear their clothes, ways they should speak. These beliefs infer that girls are the reason for their own victimhood and limit their rightful liberties.
Melt exists to bring attention to critical issues that girls face daily. By providing space where girls can individually and collectively express themselves. In Melt, they can think through social conditions and develop positive outlets. .Both boys and girls in Melt are committed to theories, praxis and practices that support the safety and expression of black girls. Most importantly, Melt exists as a platform for youth to be seen, heard and valued.
