Nishaun T. Battle: Black Girlhood, Punishment, and Resistance: Reimagining Justice for Black Girls in Virginia

Excerpt

Shining a spotlight into American criminology’s hidden corners, Black Girlhood, Punishment, and Resistance: Reimagining Justice for Black Girls in Virginia, written by Nishaun T. Battle, delves deep into the shortcomings of the juvenile justice system during the Progressive Era to develop and understand the progression to the plight of the modern-day Black girl. While the author chooses to narrow in and discuss specific historical failures of the Virginia court system, it is well understood the narrative is applicable to the United States as a whole. Battle also utilizes the successes of various Black women and Black organizations in their efforts to combat and overcome the systemic racism and sexism of the State, offering their techniques and processes as evidence-based solutions for the modern day. Though it is clear from the text that the State’s criminalization and policing have not improved in any significant measure in the last 100 years, the author never fails to acknowledge and applaud the unflagging Black girl and woman community in their strength to continue to see and fight for their self-worth. …