African-American males are suspended three times more often than white males, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. But according to a report from the African American Policy Forum, “Black Girls Matter: Pushed Out, Overpoliced and Underprotected” Black girls are suspended six times more often than white girls””meaning there’s a larger gap between black girls and white girls than black boys and white boys.
A 2010 study by Texas A&M researcher found teachers might respond more harshly to black girls because they “seem to defy these traditional standards of femininity which suggest that girls should be quiet, reserved and submissive. Instead, Black girls are assertive, independent and emotionally resilient.”