The major motion picture “Just Mercy” tells the true story of an innocent African American man condemned to death by a system built on false assumptions and racial bias.

The film is garnering increased attention amidst the nation’s outrage over a history of murders and threats visited on African Americans, outside of any semblance of due process. Too often, these result in horrifying outcomes, like those for George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery.

Sadly, I know from personal experience that false assumptions are made not only on the streets, but also in our schools.

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This story about racialized presumptions and inequitable opportunities in educationwas produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up here for Hechinger’s newsletter.

Gene Pinkard is Director, Practice and Leadership, of the Aspen Institute’s Education & Society Program. He previously served in Washington, D.C., schools as a teacher, administrator and district leader.

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