New Research Shows Black Women With Lighter Skin, Have Lighter Prison Sentence Than Women With Dark Skin

Many African Americans are familiar with the incessant discussion regarding light versus dark skin and the supposed advantages one may have over the other. Ever since Nella Larsen’s novella “Passing,”, in which the main character, Irene Redfield, a light-skinned African American woman passing for white, reveals the hidden implications regarding race, with respect to the perception that being white is better than black and inferior.

A new study just published in in The Social Science Journal (Volume: 48, Issue: 1, Pages: 258-250) called “The impact of light skin on prison time for black female offenders,” may add some evidence supporting the affirmation of Larsen’s premise. The study, conducted by Jill Viglione, Lance Hannon, and Robert DeFina, are researchers at Villanova University. provides strong evidence that lighter skin color is significantly correlated with a lighter prison sentence.

Based on data, collected from the records of 12,158 women incarcerated in North Carolina prisons between 1995 and 2009., inclusive of information regarding inmate hair color, eye color, height, weight, body type and skin tone (light skin tone is assigned a code of 1, and dark skin tone is assigned a code of 0), revealed that with respect to prison sentences, women noted to be of light skin were sentenced to 12% less time behind bars than their darker skinned confederates.

This finding was consistent even when controlling for prior history of incarceration, conviction date, prison misconduct, and body type. Moreover researchers also controlled for if the woman was convicted of homicide or robbery – crimes that have longer sentences. Upon which they also observed that having light skin reduces the actual time served by approximately 11%.

According to the authors as presented in the abstract, “The present analysis extends this line of inquiry by examining how perceived skin tone (assessed by correctional officers) is related to maximum prison sentence and actual time served,” and that their findings “indicated that black women deemed to have a lighter skin tone received more lenient prison sentences and served less time behind bars.”

quicksand IN passing

Now forgive me, but folk here still has yet to supersaturate his brain cells such that they are inundated with lipofuscin granules or to the point of rupturing liposome’s filled and releasing hydrolytic enzymes in my brain. I know I may have a bazaar taste in literature and that I have yet to read Tru to the game or Fly Girl, but truth is that I have read a nice coterie of books.

One that I have thought of recently in jest was Nella Larsen’s Quicksand and Passing (Looks like Cap-city huh). Nella Larsen (1891-1964) was a writer of the famed Harlem renaissance (yawl would love this book). She used vivid imagery and classic symbolism and penned stories of the 1920s on the issues of racial identity, classism, and sexuality and of particular importance, `passing,' – you know black folk light enough to pass for being white. I am reminded of this because I have wanted to get this off my chest for some while and because Former US congressman Bob Barr was selected by the Libertarian Party as its candidate for November's presidential election.

Historically, I have always had love for folk; he was never really GOP-esque if you looked at his voting record outside of the 2nd amendments. Not to mention his vehement protection of this amendment may be one of the factors that engendered me to me out side of being able to tell he was a well read mutha shut yo mouth.

Many in the GOP are upset because think it will do major damage to the candidacy of the Republican presupposed nominee John McCain. With them, I agree. Now back to the point. I have always looked and Jones on CSPAN and always felt he was a brother. From the way he spoke to the way his body motions evinced themselves. Now I am sure of it.

I think deep in his heart he is trying to help his race by taking votes away from McCain such to put his Brother, Barack Obama in the Whitehouse. Like I said before, I may either have too many brain cells or not enough. What says you on my recent dialectical rumination?


Sidebar: chk my folk out at Pimpin Pens, they did a tribute to me LOL


Blog Amnesty: Pimpin Pens, Eb, Jaybee, Urban Scientist, kawana oliver, 12kyle, emeritus, ErynMyisha, eclectik-relaxation, Lina, Kyfs, Dfitz, Zufan, Taffy, No Slappz, Kelso, immoral matriarch, Bookfraud, soul cruzer, memphiz soul, hairs my story, Dreamcop08, battle dress u, Love & Kiwi, mizz ninae, averge american patriot and no limit