The Office of Equity and Human Rights, in coordination with the Iowa City Public Library (ICPL) and African American Museum of Iowa, will host a conversation on the criminal justice system and public education in ICPL Meeting Room A from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

This conversation will examine the role public schools can play in funneling students into the prison system as documented in “Suspended: Systemic Oppression in Our Schools,” an original exhibit by the African American Museum of Iowa on display at ICPL through Nov. 30.

Elements of the criminal justice system have entered public schools around the country, resulting in zero tolerance policies and student policing that disproportionately affect children of color.

This facilitated conversation will explore ways to dismantle systems that feed the school-to-prison pipeline.

About the presenter
Sam Black often describes himself as a “systemic antagonist” – someone working to ensure that “the system” works to serve the people it intends to serve. Black has served as a School Resource Officer (SRO), delivering a number of curriculums in public school systems and working one-on-one with students. His experiences in schools has given him a firsthand look at the legislation, the behaviors, power struggles, and the behavior management decisions that create what we know as America’s school-to-prison pipeline.

Accommodations
If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in this event, please call 319-356-5022 or email humanrights@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.