All posts tagged: Diversity

Making History and Making Progress, But More Work Remains to Be Done

Published by JoAnne A. Epps

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made history recently when it appointed two African American women to the highest posts in the Philadelphia court system, formally known as the First Judicial District. The Honorable Sheila Woods-Skipper (LAW ‘83) and the Honorable Jacqueline Allen (LAW ‘79) became the Chair of the Administrative Governing Board and Administrative Judge for the Trial Division, respectively, for the First Judicial District. Together, they will lead a system with a $110 million annual budget and a 2,400-member workforce. This is a historic moment. Neither post has ever been filled by an African American or by a woman, despite the presence of many qualified candidates among the ranks of the judiciary. With these appointments, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has signaled its willingness to listen to African American leaders who have been calling for more diversity in leadership positions within the state judicial system. I commend the Court for listening to these concerns and for acting on them with such conviction, and I (like many others) hope the Court continues to make progress along this …

We Are All An “Other”

Published by JoAnne A. Epps

When we think about diversity, we must ask ourselves what diversity really means and why we care about it. Diversity is not just “not a white male”. Those who are physically disabled can be seen, but are too often overlooked. Many of our differences, however, are hard to “see”. Those fighting depression, survivors of sexual assault, those who must decide every day whether to come out as LGBTQ, or a first generation college student who must balance gratitude against the crushing weight of expectations. These are people who offer valid perspectives – if we are open to receiving them. My point is that when you think about “other”, compared to the person next to us, we are all “an” “other”. We are all different. We are all, in some form or fashion, diverse.

Embracing Cultural Competence to Enhance Legal Representation

Published by Anu Thomas (LAW '17)

I sat listening intently to my constitutional law professor, engrossed in the lecture-induced dawning realization that the word “equality” did not in fact appear anywhere in the U.S. Constitution. My body leaned forward, as I unconsciously shook my head in agreement with my professor’s assessment that this celebrated document was flawed in many ways that continue to mar society today. Catching the movement out of the corner of his eye, my professor looked at me inquisitively and asked which part I disagreed with. Startled, I replied with fervor that I wholeheartedly agreed with him. Then I realized that I had been shaking my head from side to side instead of up and down, as I had often seen my Indian father do when he approved of an idea and wanted to express his support. Subtle body movements, vocal sounds and unconscious gestures, informed and molded by cultural norms, have entirely different significance based on the cultural lens through which they are observed. An incorrect reading could very quickly escalate to misunderstanding, offense, or a missed …