The Many Lives of Mama Love and Racial Disparities in Sentencing

• In Event: Roundtable: A Book Club Discussion on The Many Lives of Mama Love and the CJ System

Abstract

As a white, middle-class woman, Lara Love Hardin (aka Mama Love) acknowledges the privilege that shaped her experience within the criminal justice system. While she faces serious consequences for her crimes, she observes firsthand how Black and Brown women often receive harsher sentences for similar or lesser offenses. Inside prison, she witnesses systemic inequities, from disparities in legal representation to the ways race influences parole decisions and rehabilitation opportunities. Hardin’s memoir highlights the broader injustices of mass incarceration, revealing how race and socioeconomic status impact who gets punished and how severely. Through her story, she challenges readers to examine the flaws in the justice system and advocate for fairer sentencing practices. Ultimately, her journey underscores the urgent need for criminal justice reform and racial equity.

Authors

• Meghan Mitchell, University of North Dakota

• Arynn Infante, Portland State University