Diversity Office Message on Recent Events
The Diversity Office team members have thought long and hard about our responses to ongoing events in light of Covid-19 and global demonstrations calling for racial justice. The Diversity Office has always had a strong dedication to issues involving systemic injustice, and reflects this in its programming and mission, “to provide access opportunities to underrepresented students and promote culturally competent lawyering with a commitment to justice.” Nevertheless, we know that our responsibilities to our students, faculty, and staff are more important than ever in this watershed moment.
More than anything we realize that it is important that we all take responsibility in improving the quality of life for our nation’s most vulnerable. Lawyers have a greater responsibility than most and Memphis Law has taken that responsibility seriously in promoting an inclusive climate, culturally competent lawyering, and community outreach. Additionally, given that this is the first time many have heard from the people most impacted and demonstrating on these issues, we are committed to magnifying those voices in our upcoming school year and also commit to helping our student organizations do the same with funding opportunities.
As one of our more immediate responses to ongoing events, the Diversity Office has updated our resources on bias, systemic racism, and institutional climate. If you would like to access the materials, please add yourself to the “Memphis Law Diversity Office” TWEN course. If you previously did this it is not necessary to do it again. Once you are added to the course, click on the “Resources & Materials” link. Among other things, there is an Anti-Racism Booklist, which can be found on the Systemic Racism & Bias Resources folder. This resource includes links to many free ebooks on the list, as well as info on how to get other titles through our Law Library.
If you would like more information on resources or would like to get connected to ways to get involved in the community, please email lawdiversity@memphis.edu. In the meantime, we will continue to work hard to ensure that the Diversity Office’s programming reflects the work that needs to be done to advance these conversations and improve the quality of life of those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism.
