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Celebrating and Remembering: Black History Month and #BlackLivesMatter

Civil rights march in Washington, D.C.
"Civil rights march on Washington, D.C. / [WKL]." Original black and white negative by Warren K. Leffler. Taken August 28th, 1963, Washington D.C, United States (@libraryofcongress). Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003654393 Image Credit: Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash.

As we kick off this Black History Month, it is important to both celebrate and remember the lives, achievements, communities, work, struggles, successes, adversities, and triumphs of Black Americans and the Black American experience in the United States. 

At this time of year, and throughout the year, it is important to re-read and re-commit ourselves to the RWU Law Strategic Planning for Diversity & Inclusion’s text, which states, in part: 

Historically, the legal profession has been open to only a small segment of our society. As a matter of social justice, a legal education and career opportunities at RWU Law should be visibly open to all members of our heterogeneous society. Moreover, a diverse legal profession is more likely to reform laws that were created and have been maintained by a relatively homogenous and privileged segment of society. The legitimacy of the legal system is also enhanced when the members of the legal profession reflect the diversity of those who need legal representation.

Lawyers are community leaders, and they can more effectively lead if they reflect and appreciate the diversity of the communities they serve. A diverse student body, faculty, and staff should better understand the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the members of the communities that RWU Law is committed to serve.

Since June 2020, the RWU Law Library has been working to create a Black Lives Matter resource guide. This guide is a community effort and contains resources recommended by alumni, faculty, staff, and students. 

This guide is a living work which will continue to grow and develop. If you have ideas for resources to be included in this guide, please email us at lawlibraryhelp@rwu.edu.

The RWU Law Library continues to supplement its collection in the areas of antiracism, criminal justice reform, and culturally responsive pedagogy. This month, and throughout the year. If you have ideas for resources to be included in our collection, please email us at lawlibraryhelp@rwu.edu.

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