The problem the filmmaker defines in Pushout is society’s perception of black girls, specifically in education. Of course, this problem has many roots and effects, even ones that don’t seem related, and that too is explored in the film. It discusses how black girls are seen as older, more aggressive, and describes many other stereotypes that it eventually breaks down. This is one thing the film does really well; it uses actual students and their experiences to humanize black girls for the audience.

Ideally, everyone would be able to enact social change and fix these problems, but sadly, not everyone has equal power to do so. On a larger scale, the voices of white (typically middle-aged or older) men are the ones most heard and represented, so they obviously have some power if they want to fix these problems. Legislation could be passed to create some of the programs mentioned in the film all over the country, and I think this could help. In a similar way, anyone who works for these organizations or donates their money or time to them is also doing something to help. They are what make these kinds of things work. In a broader sense, we all have the power to change our own opinions of black girls as well as the opinions of those around us. We can all research and bring attention to this issue and influence others to do the same. Like in the film when the principal is talking with the teachers at her school about how they can/have helped their students, we can all work toward social change, but I think the best combination would be both a change in mindset and legislation.

Personally, I could really only do what I mentioned above— influence my mindset as well as those of others. I can read into some of the news stories mentioned in the movie and further educate myself on the issue, and then I can bring that information to others, especially those who do/want to teach so that they’re also aware of the issue and can do the same. So, really, my effect can be bigger than myself and even the people I know if this cycle keeps going. Even just one person can enact change.