The City Club of Cleveland

login Create an Account

private events
go

Not a Member?

Our members are champions of free speech. Join today!

join

Account Login

login

Forgot Password? Create an Account

Forgot Password

submit Cancel

Update Password

submit

The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth

Social Justice

The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth

Friday, November 18, 2022
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Doors at 11:15am / Lunch at 11:30am / Forum begins 12:00pm

Add to Favorites

Share This

"We have to treat all children like children. We have to invest in children and families - and in communities instead of our traditional law and order response." – Kristin Henning

What happens when teachers, law enforcement, and other adults in positions of authority are less protective and more punitive with certain kids? Recent research has uncovered an "Adultification Bias" against Black girls, who are viewed as less innocent and more adult-like than their white peers. Natural Black hair and fashion continue to be dress coded. Even Black preschoolers are suspended at shockingly high rates. In her new book, The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth, Professor Kristin Henning points to America's manufactured and irrational fear of Black youth; as well as institutional mechanisms that criminalize normal adolescent behavior among Black youth.

Henning has spent twenty-five years rep­resenting Black children in Washington, D.C.’s juve­nile courts. During her tenure, she has seen, tried, or supervised the trial of almost every offense in the juvenile code. She is now the Blume Professor of Law and Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown Law, where she supervises law students and represents youth accused of delinquency in the D.C. Superior Court. From 2017-2020, Professor Henning served as the Law School's Associate Dean for Clinics and Experiential Learning.

Join us at the City Club as we hear from Professor Kristin Henning on how the crisis in juvenile justice begins with America's relationship with Black children.

----
After the forum, a book signing with the author will be available. A Cultural Exchange, a nonprofit multicultural arts and literacy project, will be on site for book sales.
----

The livestream will be available beginning at 12:00pm. Have questions? Tweet them at @TheCityClub or send a text to 330.541.5794.

For more information on City Club's health and safety protocols, click here. Email info@cityclub.org with any questions.

Production and distribution of City Club forums in partnership with Ideastream Public Media is generously provided by PNC and the United Black Fund.

Want to know who is speaking next at the City Club? Sign up here.

Slice 1 Created with Sketch.

Our New Address

1317 Euclid Avenue, Suite 100
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

The City Club of Cleveland building
x

Photo Gallery

1 of 22