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The Pink Slip Project (PSP) is comprised of four future art educators in NYC. Using what we learned at our time enrolled in an NYU graduate program as a guide -- including artist tools like performance and socially engaged art, research methods, and our burgeoning teaching practice -- PSP staged an 'intervention' in Washington Square Park on Friday June 25, 2021. We gathered the public's suspension stories, engaged those never suspended in a prompt that challenged how they avoided punitive discipline in school, as well as collective ideas for alternatives to school suspension.
This PDF summary highlights our key findings from the intervention.
Dark pink slips were given to participants that have never been suspended from school. Light pink slips were given to those that had been suspended one or more times. 125 passerbys in Washington Square Park participated in our intervention -- 39 had been suspended in school and 86 had never been suspended.
Suspended SLip
Suspended SLip
Participants that have been suspended from school filled out this form, telling us their personal suspension stories -- highlighting what happened, how they felt, and what sort of alternatives to suspensions they wish to see.
Not Suspended Slip
Not Suspended Slip
Participants who indicated that they have never been suspended from school were 'suspended' by the Pink Slip Project. We crafted reasons why someone would be suspended based on real stories from students in NYCDOE and the code of conduct. Many of the reasons why students have been suspended are things most have us have done -- showcasing potential privilege that shields someone from being suspended.
Anecdotal Conversations
Anecdotal Conversations
"I didn't even know suspension centers existed, let alone the fact that there are so many across the city."
Many of the participants conversed with us as they filled out their suspension slips, read other stories already posted on the board, and viewed our posters with suspension statistics. The public's feelings and reactions about school suspension ranged from genuine curiosity, to a desire to learn more, to a place to vent about their past traumatic suspension experiences, to upholding the status quo in support for school suspensions. Depending on the individual we engaged with, the space became a stage for heated debate, an exciting back and forth filled with ideas, and perhaps even provided some a moment to heal. These moments also helped us step outside of the classroom in order to gauge how the greater NYC public feels about school suspension and what they think should be done.
"I don't want my kid going to school with another kid who brings in a weapon. I don't care if it was an accident that they brought a knife to school. They shouldn't just be suspended, they should be expelled."
"The work you're doing is so important. Suspensions may be going down but it isn't enough. Our kids deserve better."
"I wish people did something about this back when I was in school. I feel like it would have helped me."
ALTERNATIVES
ALTERNATIVES
Responses primarily fell into the categories listed below:
Support & Conversations
Counseling & Mental Health Support
Community & School Service
Restorative & Transformative Practices
Art Related
Funding Related
Keeping Kids in Schools
Misc.
You can find a more detailed exploration of these responses in our official Pink Slip Project: Findings & Recommendations PDF
Pink Slip Project, Cont
Pink Slip Project, Cont
To continue the conversation and further engage the public about school suspension, the Pink Slip Project has been using other public art tactics. This gathers further public ideas for alternatives for suspension awareness post - June 25 intervention.
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