Diane Sawyer: Black Students at Harvard Law School stand in solidarity with #MikeBrown and the #Ferguson community. #HandsUpDontShoot #HBLSA.
Every night World News with Diane Sawyer delivers news that matters. Today, this includes a powerful photo that was released by the President of the Harvard Black Law Students Association:
And in response to some of the obvious backlash to such a message, Katie Laurenson-Bowen wrote on the ABC World News with Diane Sawyer page:
Katie has a good point. And to further understand why such groups exist, take a look at this history:
The Harvard Black Law Students Association (HBLSA) was founded in 1967. Today, HBLSA has grown to become the largest chapter in the National Black Law Students Association. Counting over 160 members annually, HBLSA reflects the strong Black community that is so integral to the diversity of Harvard Law School.
Combining photographs of Harvard Law School students and alumni from across the country, HBLSA formed a collage that the group released on Friday afternoon. It captures HBLSA’s national plea for justice for the victims of unwarranted police brutality. This effort marks the kickstart of HBLSA’s civil rights campaign aimed at changing the interactions of law enforcement with black Americans across the United States. This campaign is part of HBLSA’s new P.U.L.S.E. initiative (Powerfully Utilizing Law School Educations for Political and Social Justice), which seeks to track, report and respond to developing social issues affecting the black American community. After a summer highlighting unjust and inequitable treatment at the hands of law enforcement, which led to the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Ezell Ford, HBLSA begins the school year determined to raise social awareness and create policy changes related to the interactions of law enforcement with black Americans. The campaign includes visual media, an official statement and op-ed and various events throughout the school year regarding the criminal justice system as it affects black Americans.
Who is Diane Sawyer? I admire Lila Diane Sawyer (born December 22, 1945). She is an appropriate person to feature in this celebritiesandstars entry for many reasons, including the fact that she once said:
Personable and approachable, Sawyer is the current anchor of ABC News's nightly flagship program ABC World News. She is the type who thinks rapidly on her feet, and cares about her community.
Previously, Sawyer had been co-anchor of ABC News's morning news program Good Morning America and Primetime newsmagazine. Early in her career, was a member of U.S. President Richard Nixon's White House staff and closely associated with the president himself.
In the male-dominated world of television news, Sawyer earned her stripes with sheer talent and skill.
And in response to some of the obvious backlash to such a message, Katie Laurenson-Bowen wrote on the ABC World News with Diane Sawyer page:
I always love the ignorant comments from white Americans whom think it isn't "fair" that blacks are able to form groups at colleges. As if whites don't have enough already? Join ANY other group on an average US college campus and you will be part of a majority "white group". Stop whining and set an example for a progressive society.
Katie has a good point. And to further understand why such groups exist, take a look at this history:The Harvard Black Law Students Association (HBLSA) was founded in 1967. Today, HBLSA has grown to become the largest chapter in the National Black Law Students Association. Counting over 160 members annually, HBLSA reflects the strong Black community that is so integral to the diversity of Harvard Law School.
We, the Black Law Students Association of Harvard Law School , exist for the support, guidance and direction of Black students in academic, professional and social endeavors. Our main function is to assist members in the development of their legal careers and to provide opportunities for exposure to various areas and aspects of the legal profession. We recognize the need to act positively in the development of the Black community, to encourage cooperation and closer ties between members of the Law School’s Black community and to establish a vehicle through which our concerns are brought to bear on Harvard Law School policy and the community at large.In the wake of the killing of Michael Brown, Harvard Black Law Students Association (“HBLSA”) students gathered on August 14th for a powerful visual statement – a photograph with their arms raised in front of Harvard Law School in the symbolic #HandsUpDontShoot pose, an official statement reads.
Combining photographs of Harvard Law School students and alumni from across the country, HBLSA formed a collage that the group released on Friday afternoon. It captures HBLSA’s national plea for justice for the victims of unwarranted police brutality. This effort marks the kickstart of HBLSA’s civil rights campaign aimed at changing the interactions of law enforcement with black Americans across the United States. This campaign is part of HBLSA’s new P.U.L.S.E. initiative (Powerfully Utilizing Law School Educations for Political and Social Justice), which seeks to track, report and respond to developing social issues affecting the black American community. After a summer highlighting unjust and inequitable treatment at the hands of law enforcement, which led to the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Ezell Ford, HBLSA begins the school year determined to raise social awareness and create policy changes related to the interactions of law enforcement with black Americans. The campaign includes visual media, an official statement and op-ed and various events throughout the school year regarding the criminal justice system as it affects black Americans.
Who is Diane Sawyer? I admire Lila Diane Sawyer (born December 22, 1945). She is an appropriate person to feature in this celebritiesandstars entry for many reasons, including the fact that she once said:Personable and approachable, Sawyer is the current anchor of ABC News's nightly flagship program ABC World News. She is the type who thinks rapidly on her feet, and cares about her community.
Previously, Sawyer had been co-anchor of ABC News's morning news program Good Morning America and Primetime newsmagazine. Early in her career, was a member of U.S. President Richard Nixon's White House staff and closely associated with the president himself.
In the male-dominated world of television news, Sawyer earned her stripes with sheer talent and skill.
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