Dismantling Adultification Bias of Black Girls in Public Schools and the Criminal Justice System

WHEREAS, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") seeks to enhance the leadership role of women, serve as an advocacy vehicle for issues affecting women and children, and advocate for the positive development of children; and

WHEREAS, Data from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Georgetown Law study on Adultification Bias underscores the urgent need to address this issue, revealing systemic biases that contribute to the premature stripping away of innocence from Black girls; and

WHEREAS, Adultification Bias refers to the perception that a child is older and more mature than their actual age, leading to them being treated as if they are an adult, even when they aren't; and

WHEREAS, missing Black girls are less likely to be listed on the National registry of missing and exploited children at the same rate as white girls and therefore face more severe and fatal outcomes; and

WHEREAS, The intersectionality of being a Black girl and a student with a disability compounds the challenges Black girls face, amplifying disparities in treatment and educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Discrimination persists within the public school system against Black girls, contributing to the push-out phenomenon and the preschool-to-prison pipeline, which robs them of educational opportunities and perpetuates cycles of incarceration; and

WHEREAS, Statistics indicate that Black girls have poorer experiences with law enforcement, facing higher rates of disciplinary action, arrest, and involvement in the criminal justice system.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") urges federal, state, and local governments to enforce existing laws and implement policies that protect Black girls from discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment within educational institutions and the criminal justice system.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") supports initiatives that promote intersectional approaches to address the unique challenges faced by Black girls with disabilities, ensuring inclusive and equitable access to education and support services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") calls for the integration of culturally responsive practices and anti-bias training within schools and law enforcement agencies to mitigate the impact of stereotypes and promote a safe and supportive environment for all students, regardless of race or gender.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ("NAACP") commits to amplifying the voices of Black girls and centering their experiences in advocacy efforts, ensuring that their perspectives and needs are prioritized in the fight against adultification bias and systemic discrimination.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP advocates for the implementation of a mandatory specific designation on death certificates to indicate deaths occurring in police custody, ensuring consistent and transparent data collection.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls on state and federal legislators to enact laws requiring that all medical examiners and coroners accurately report this data as part of their official duties and require agencies to collect and report data on missing children, disseminating data by race.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP supports the creation of detailed, publicly accessible annual reports on deaths in police custody, compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice and corresponding state agencies, to foster accountability and facilitate informed public discourse and policy making.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP commits to collaborate with civil rights, public health, mental/behavioral health, and law enforcement organizations to promote the use of this data in developing strategies to prevent deaths in police custody and to ensure that all communities, especially those disproportionately affected, are treated with fairness and respect by law enforcement agencies.