On the first day of Orientation, my classmates’ confidence deepened my self-doubt. They seemed older, more experienced, and sure of their place, while I was still questioning mine. At 21, I had graduated from a state university in three years and gone straight to law school, but instead of feeling proud, I couldn’t shake the fear that my peers had more to offer than I did. The day I got into BC Law, I couldn’t wait to arrive; now that I was here, I wondered whether I had what it took to succeed.
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In a World Full of Deadlines, BC Law’s Sidebar is a Welcome Retreat
Fall has always been my favorite season. There is something about the changing leaves, pumpkin spice donuts, and the beauty of the world slowing down that makes this time of year feel special. I stroll around, listening to the smooth sounds of Miles Davis or John Coltrane that serve as the perfect complement to the cool autumn breeze. Amidst the chaos of 1L, however, I have hardly had the opportunity to appreciate my first New England fall. Between readings, assignments, and everything in between, slowing down has felt like something I simply could not afford. So, when I received an email from Dean Brathwaite reminding me of the retreat I had completely forgotten I signed up for, I welcomed the opportunity to step away, even if only for a weekend.
Continue readingMy Law School ‘Why:’ Fighting to Change a Broken System
My first month of law school felt like a whirlwind. The dense readings, countless panel discussions, lengthy case briefs, innumerable networking events, late nights and early mornings, all while navigating the transition from small Midwest suburbs to the big city, has certainly tested my will despite the infancy of my law school journey. As the saying goes, however, pressure is a privilege. It truly is a blessing to be living out an answered prayer. Despite the many moving parts, I’ve found solace in the moments of stillness (although rare) where I am able to reflect on the journey to get where I am today. More importantly, those moments allow me to refocus my attention to the core of my “why” when it comes to law school.
Continue readingFinding Belonging at BC Law
What does it mean to belong? Belonging would seem to imply a level of mutuality. I belong to you, and as such, you belong to me. While I’m quite acquainted with change and relocation, there seems to be a hardened insularity particular to Boston, with BC Law as its microcosm. As I struggle to assimilate into the social environment on campus, it has become increasingly obvious that belonging might not be so reciprocal after all. In these first few weeks, I find myself shoving into a cultural and regional crowd that seems not only cold, but indifferent to my presence. So, how do I foster a sense of belonging among younger, mostly non-People-of-Color, Massachusetts locals?
Continue readingDEI: It’s Not So Black and White
Earlier this week, I decided to organize my files on my laptop and delete ones that I no longer need. As I came across my folders from 1L, I started skimming through my old outlines and class notes (ew) to figure out which files I could delete. Eventually, I came across my folder titled “1L Summer Applications.” It had 177 files. This folder contains various versions of my resume, some writing samples, and cover letters for all the jobs I’d applied for during my 1L year. I had hoped to secure a prestigious firm position for my 1L summer, but it didn’t happen. Although I don’t technically need those files anymore, I decided to keep them all. They remind me of my journey and growth since 1L. Today, as a 3L, I am grateful for ultimately having secured the position of my 1L dreams. To the outsider, it might appear that it was handed to me or that it came easy. But it’s not so black-and-white.
From the start of my fall semester of 1L, I met with CSO often to strategize how and where to apply for 1L summer positions. I networked with at least 2 alumni a week, hoping to just talk to as many people and learn as much as I could about the industry. I spent hours weekly finding and applying to positions on my own. When my 1L summer goals didn’t quite work out, I was crushed. I was afraid things wouldn’t work out for me, ever (silly, I know). I began working even harder. In October of 2L, I ultimately landed the interview (and subsequent offer) of my dreams. But before I heard the “yes” from my position, I heard over 80 “no’s.”
Continue readingA Step Closer to a More Diverse Community
“By welcoming such a large class of Black students, Boston College Law School has demonstrated that Black education, issues, and lives matter. We are not token students, but rather our voices and experiences are welcomed and sought after by the Law School. This new class of future Black lawyers will enrich our community as a school and as a profession.”
John-Henry Marley, BC Law Class of 2021
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has dominated conversations in almost every institution in the United States over the past few years. Whether sparked by the cultural backlash to President Obama’s election, or the rise of Black Lives Matter movement, or perhaps simply an overall reckoning of the need to repair past discriminatory harm, many schools and workplaces have adopted DEI into their core values and strategic plans. Unfortunately, that’s usually where the conversation ends. DEI goals often stay just that: goals without action or results.
BC Law is different. Here, DEI is not merely a tagline to fit into a trendy movement, but rather a commitment to ensuring an “inclusive community, where people from all backgrounds are celebrated for their unique perspectives and lived experiences.”
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