What We Missed In The Moonlight: Chiron’s Journey and the Unchecked School-To-Prison Pipeline For Black Queer Students

In early August, Twitter became the digital space for critical cultural discourse, dialogue, and debate yet again, with a post reaching 8.5 million views. What was the fiery topic this time? Beyonce vs. Rihanna? Nope-they are both icons.  A think piece about the latest Black film? Been there, done that. Perhaps it was the casual homophobia of “rapper” Akbar V that sparked debate? Little time was wasted here. We were all on the same page.

Instead, it was a post that read “They’re having a best gay movie off” and it featured two films - Call Me By Your Name and Red, White & Royal Blue. Individuals, particularly Black queer men like myself, were stunned as the film Moonlight, which won an Oscar, was glaringly absent from the discussion (a topic for another day). So, simultaneously motivated by frustration, puzzlement, and a deep admiration for brilliant art via film, I decided to watch Moonlight, one of my favorite films, for the 1,000th time. But this time, I noticed something different. I’ve always been attuned to the brilliant lighting. It’s the same with cinematography. 

they’re having a best gay movie off pic.twitter.com/4uMlhNabeL

— n. (@ungodlymakk) August 11, 2024

Some scenes are also etched into memory. There is this heartbreaking scene where Chiron’s mother, who is battling Substance Abuse Disorder, attempts to steal his money.  This scene where Chiron’s new-found default paternal figure, who sells drugs,  condemns his mother, and she quips back, “You gon keep selling me rocks, huh?” There is also the scene that features the infamous kiss on the beach. And finally, the scene that always turns my eyes into faucets- the table scene where young Chiron asks two adults “what’s a faggot?” “am I faggot?” and “do you sell drugs?’ Young Chiron leaves the table devastated. 

But this time, none of that stood out. Instead, it was another brilliant subtheme to Moonlight that stayed in my brain- the school-to-prison pipeline for Black queer students. 

What is the school-to-prison pipeline? How does it appear in Moonlight?

Because the film carries a variety of themes and symbols, it is no surprise that the discussion related to the school-to-prison pipeline in Moonlight is scarce. This is especially true considering how naturally and beautifully the tragic subplot is woven into the movie. It feels organic because, unfortunately, the experience is authentic. As I have expressed before, art reflects life, and for many Black queer kids, Moonlight was the first time they were in the mirror. 

The early stages of the film showcased dire scenes. For example, it begins early on when Chiron, the protagonist, is bullied and beaten up at school. It is implied that this is a regular occurrence, but this time, Chiron grabs a chair and fights back. As a result, the scene ends with Chiron getting arrested and carried away in a police car.  This scene serves as a turning point in the movie and story arch-we transition away from meek and weak Chiron to Black, a man who seemingly ushers in a new spirit of confidence and clarity.

“When Black queer youth like Chiron defend themselves against relentless bullying, they are more likely to be met with severe criminal consequences rather than support.”

While this is a fictional depiction, this genuine experience/process is known as the school-to-prison pipeline. Often anchored in zero tolerance policies, the school-to-prison pipeline refers to the process of pushing students out of school and into the criminal justice system. For example, if a student is unruly, they may be subject to arrest instead of in-school suspension or some form of school-based punishment. Data from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) highlights racial disparities in this trend, driven by harsh disciplinary policies. The findings show that students of color and those with disabilities face disproportionate punishment, often leading to suspensions and expulsions. 

We are seeing similar trends for LGBTQIA+ youth, especially for communities of color. Research shows that schools are often hostile environments for LGBTQIA+ students of color, with 1 in 5 reporting bullying due to race, ethnicity, or national origin. This compounded bullying, based on multiple identities, severely impacts their ability to succeed in school, undermining their safety and learning environment. Consequently, LGBTQIA+ youth of color are disproportionately funneled into the school-to-prison pipeline. This is true for many reasons.

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Unique Issues for Black Queer Students

Intersectionality matters. If research shows the disparities faced by Black students and the injustices endured by queer students, consider the compounded challenges of living at that intersection. It is like a sleeping gazelle in a lion’s; there is no safe space. Black queer students face unique scenarios that allow for the school-to-prison pipeline to operate.

1. Violating sexual and racial norms: Studies have found that queer youth of color are disproportionately punished for public displays of affection and gender norm violations. Simply put, they are frequently jailed for being themselves at school. Moreover, queer students often face unjust punishment for actions that are overlooked when performed by their heterosexual peers. For example, two Black boys may be handcuffed for holding hands multiple times or may be violently forced to attend separate classes for hugging each other. Or, one could be penalized for wearing clothing that aligns with one's gender identity instead of the assigned sex at birth if it is against the dress code.

2. Familial rejection, homelessness, & more:  Additionally, LGBTQ youth of color, especially those rejected by their families, face severe risks, including homelessness and its criminalization. BIPOC youth are 83% more likely to experience homelessness compared to their non-BIPOC peers, with BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth facing an even greater risk. Sadly, familial rejection forces many into unsafe living conditions. If one has to prioritize survival- education, and emotional stability will likely take a back seat. Why worry about a standardized test if you do not have a safe space to lay your head at night? More importantly, this form of desperation drives some LGBTQ youth to engage in survival activities like shoplifting or “survival sex”, increasing their risk of arrest and entry into the juvenile justice system. 

3. Self defense as a result of bullying & harassment: Perhaps the most obvious, prevalent, and egregious disparity is how Black queer youth become involuntarily enmeshed in the system due to systemic and structural failures related to bullying and harassment. We have previously discussed the scope and severity of bullying and harassment happening to Black queer youth. We also know that teachers and school administrators rarely intervene. 

   So let’s assume, like Chiron, a 15-year-old Black queer kid is repeatedly bullied in school and reports the harassment. However, nothing happens. As a result, he lashes out and defends himself after being assaulted; under a zero-tolerance framework, this student would (and often does) get jailed. Zero tolerance policies in schools disproportionately harm Black queer students, denying them the ability to defend themselves or speak out against injustice. These inflexible rules impose severe punishments for even minor infractions, disregarding the unique challenges Black queer students face. When they attempt to defend themselves or protest unfair treatment, they are often met with harsh consequences;  this perpetuates a cycle of punishment that ignores the systemic biases at play.

The horrific and sustained impacts of someone being placed in the criminal justice system are well-founded - Employability, Access to health care, Civic engagement, Life expectancy. This is even more true for being thrown into the juvenile justice system. As seen in "Moonlight," when Black queer youth like Chiron defend themselves against relentless bullying, they are more likely to be met with severe criminal consequences rather than support. The beauty of art lies in its endless creation, and I hope that life, art, and policies can evolve to ensure that Black queer students are safe and able to thrive.