Harvard Black Law Students Association

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Harvard Benefits from Visiting Professors of Color

HBLSA interviewed 2018-2019 Visiting Professors Raymond Atuguba and Guy-Uriel Charles

Profile: Professor Raymond Atuguba (LLM ’00, SJD ’04)

Fall 2018 | By Jessica Sawadogo

Professor Raymond Akongburo Atuguba joins Harvard Law School as the Henry J. Steiner Visiting Professor in Human Rights for the 2018–2019 school year. He received both his Master of Laws (LL.M) and Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD) Degrees from Harvard Law School in 2000 and 2004. He is currently an Associate Professor at the School of Law, University of Ghana, where he has taught since 2002. [Read more…] about Harvard Benefits from Visiting Professors of Color

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Harvard Law Review President Excels in Role

Profile: Michael Thomas, President of Harvard Law Review

Fall 2018 | By Ope Adebanjo ’20

As Harvard Law Review President, BLSA member Michael Thomas finds inspiration for the hard work of the role from a myriad of places. As his tenure as President comes to a close, he reflects that he has found the work of HLR deeply satisfying and fun, as he continues to learn new things each day on the job. He also acknowledges that he is grateful to have a strong support system in many areas of his life, from the hardworking HLR editors—to which he feels a sense of responsibility to curate great content and cultivate a supportive community—to the BLSA community—which he considers a family that he can lean on when things get tough. Thomas was grateful to have found a mentor in former HLR President and BLSA member ImeIme Umana. Her work and advice has been vital in making the transition smooth for Thomas this year. But Thomas acknowledges that there are just some things you can’t prepare for until you are in the role, so he often draws from a set of life experiences to direct his actions, including his experiences as an HLR editor last year and his work before law school in the New York City Mayor’s Office. [Read more…] about Harvard Law Review President Excels in Role

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HBLSA Statement on Race-Conscious Admissions Policies

Harvard Black Law Student Association’s Statement on Race-Conscious Admissions Policies

November 4, 2018

With the Harvard College/Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) trial’s conclusion drawing near, we stand at a critical crossroad—both as the Harvard Black Law Students Association, but also as Black people in the United States.

At the heart of this suit is a new manifestation of Fisher v. Texas, another vile anti-affirmative action lawsuit led by none other than Edward Blum—the conservative political activist who has consistently argued that race-conscious admissions are discriminatory. Blum lost Fisher at the Supreme Court. His objective, nonetheless, remains to kill affirmative action and to eliminate racial protections in all areas of life, such as when he supported Shelby County v. Holder—a 2013 case that functionally gutted the 1965 Voting Rights Act.[1]

The Harvard Black Law Students Association stands by Harvard College’s holistic approach to admissions, especially the consideration of race. The Supreme Court articulated in Fisher that diversity in the student body “[enhances] classroom dialogue” and lessens the chance of “racial isolation and stereotypes.[2]” Considering race in admissions ensures the possibility of a more tolerant student body—a student body that coalesces, instead of one that struggles to grapple with the different cultures, financial backgrounds, and upbringings within our society. [Read more…] about HBLSA Statement on Race-Conscious Admissions Policies

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HBLSA Prison Strike Statement

Harvard Black Law Student’s Association Statement on the 2018 National Prison Strike

September 25, 2018

Harvard Law School’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA) commits to supporting the efforts of the 2018 National Prison Strike, which started on August 21, 2018 and concluded on September 9, 2018. Our brothers, sisters, and community members in federal, immigration, and state prisons demand the following:

[Read more…] about HBLSA Prison Strike Statement

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Harvard BLSA Kavanaugh Statement

Harvard BLSA Statement on the Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing of Judge Brett Kavanaugh

September 6, 2018

To Whom It May Concern,

The Harvard Black Law Students Association (BLSA) has not taken any position with respect to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Kavanaugh.

Harvard BLSA was recently mentioned during Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearing. During questioning, Judge Brett Kavanaugh openly discussed how he supported BLSA, referencing an event during which he “encouraged” and “mentored” BLSA members to apply for clerkships–there is a signed letter by both current and former BLSA members as a testament to this exchange.

[Read more…] about Harvard BLSA Kavanaugh Statement