AUTHOR MONIQUE MORRIS TO SHARE STORIES FROM HER BOOK "PUSHOUT: THE CRIMINALIZATION of BLACK GIRLS in SCHOOLS"

SAN DIEGO – In honor of Black History Month, the San Diego Public Library and the University of San Diego are co-hosting an award-winning author and social justice scholar, Monique W. Morris, Ph.D., for two speaking engagements: Saturday, February 23, at the San Diego Central Library, 1 - 3 p.m., and Monday, February 25, 7 - 9 p.m., at the University of San Diego, Copley Library, Mother Hill Reading Room.

 With more than three decades of experience in civil rights, education, juvenile and social justice, Morris’ extensive research concludes that Black girls are the most disproportionately represented group of girls in the criminal justice system.

 In her book, “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools,” she writes about the importance of culturally competent and gender responsive support for Black girls. “Instead of driving Black girls away from school through exclusionary discipline,” states Morris, “schools should receive Black girls as sacred and loved. We should construct schools that are locations of healing and not locations for punishment and harm.”

 Both events are free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Click here to register for the Feb. 23, 2019 event at the Central Library. To reserve a seat for the Feb. 25th presentation at the University of San Diego, click here.

About the San Diego Public Library

With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery, and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.3 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www.sandiegolibrary.org.

About the University of San Diego

The University of San Diego sets the standard for an engaged, contemporary Catholic university where innovative Changemakers confront humanity’s urgent challenges. With more than 9,000 students from 85 countries and 50 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the division of Professional and Continuing Education. USD’s Envisioning 2024 strategic plan capitalizes on the university’s recent success in completing its $317 million Leading Change campaign and aligns new strategic goals with current strengths to help shape a vision for the future as the university looks ahead to its 75th anniversary in the year 2024.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.