No One Left Behind

Black Feminist Abolition as The Heart of Penal Abolition and Critical Criminology

Abstract

In this essay, I address why we need to rethink justice through a Black feminist perspective, focusing on how the U.S. criminal justice system unfairly targets and harms Black women, femmes, and LGBTQ+ communities. Using the cases of Marissa Alexander and George Zimmerman as examples, it shows how prison reform often fails to address deeper systemic problems. Instead of breaking down harmful systems, reforms can make them stronger. Drawing from the works of Angela Davis, Mariame Kaba, and Beth Richie, the essay highlights how Black feminist abolition addresses these issues by focusing on how race, gender, and class intersect within the prison system. This essay explores transformative justice, mutual aid, and community-based ways to address harm without relying on police or prisons. It argues that dismantling punishment systems and promoting care, healing, and accountability can lead to real safety and justice. By connecting critical criminology and penal abolition, the essay calls for bold changes in how we approach justice, urging us to move beyond punishment and build community-driven solutions that lead to liberation for all.