Law and Race Commons^™

"Copynorms," Black Cultural Production, And The Debate Over African-American Reparations, K. J. Greene

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Discrimination At Will: Job Security Protections And Equal Employment Opportunity In Conflict, Julie C. Suk

Articles

The conventional wisdom amongst scholars and advocates of employment discrimination law is that the success of Title VII is significantly hampered by the enduring doctrine of employment at will. As long as employers have broad discretion to fire employees for any reason, no reason, or a bad reason, employers can easily get away with terminating or refusing to promote racial minorities and women as long as some credible nondiscriminatory reason, such as personal animosity, can be presented. This account feeds the widely accepted view that employment at will and the goals of Title VII, namely equal employment opportunity, are at …

The Historical Race Competition For Corporate Charters And The Rise And Decline Of New Jersey: 1880-1910, Charles M. Yablon

Articles

No abstract provided.

Classroom Conversations About Race, Poverty And Social Status In The Aftermath Of Katrina, Homer C. La Rue, Lela P. Love

Articles

This article addresses dialogue regarding issues of race, poverty and social inequalities in the wake of the New Orleans hurricane Katrina. Conversations were conducted in law school classrooms at Howard Law School and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law regarding the intersection of law and race, class, and poverty. The objective was not to have an abstract dialogue, but to help students develop a personal understanding of each student’s connection or lack of connection to the issues of race, class and poverty and their own choices about becoming a lawyer as it might relate to those issues. The goal was …

Bad Faith: Race, Religion And The Reformation Of Welfare Law, Richard Hardack

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article critically examines the cultural, theological, and legal underpinnings of welfare policies in the United States, arguing that these policies are deeply influenced by racialized and gendered stereotypes. It contends that conservative and liberal thinkers alike have framed welfare as a threat to capitalist values, often justifying this stance through theological and postmodernist ideas. The analysis highlights how welfare is constructed as a declaration of dependence, contradicting the ideals of self-reliance and market-driven solutions. The article also critiques the legal system for failing to recognize welfare as a fundamental right, instead treating it as a privilege subject to state …

Eyewitness Identification, Democratic Deliberation, And The Politics Of Science, Andrew E. Taslitz

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article examines the intersection of social science and legal policy in eyewitness identification, focusing on the role of prosecutors and the American Bar Association (ABA) Eyewitness Resolution. It argues that while social science provides critical insights to improve identification accuracy, the translation of these insights into legal policy involves normative judgments that balance competing values, such as protecting the innocent and ensuring public safety. The author critiques the limitations of internal deliberative processes within law enforcement and prosecutorial offices, advocating for more transparent and inclusive deliberative structures to address systemic errors and promote justice.

Asymmetrical Attitudes And Participatory Justice, Michael Giudice

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article explores the asymmetry in attitudes toward law between legal officials and citizens, arguing that this disconnect leads to deficiencies in moral justice. It suggests that participatory justice practices, inspired by Aboriginal legal traditions, can bridge this gap by emphasizing context-sensitive, individualized approaches to dispute resolution.

The Myth Of Moral Justice In-Print Symposium: A Brief Response, Kenneth R. Feinberg

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

No abstract provided.

Selecting Mediators And Representing Clients In Cross-Cultural Disputes, Harold Abramson

Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution

Even an adept negotiator can be baffled by cultural differences. When a negotiation reaches an impasse because of an unfamiliar cultural interest or a miscommunication between the parties due to different styles of communicating, negotiating, or decisionmaking, the negotiator might find it helpful to enlist assistance from a culturally-trained and culturally-appropriate mediator. This Article considers how such a third party can help you, as a negotiator, bridge cultural differences. It considers when to seek aid from a mediator, what the credentials of the mediator ought to be, and the impact of the mediator's approach on the way you represent your …

Looking At Trafficking Through A New Lens, Nilanjana Ray

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article critiques existing frameworks for understanding and combating human trafficking, arguing that they are overly narrow and fail to address the root structural causes of trafficking, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities. It advocates for a more comprehensive approach that considers trafficking as a symptom of broader societal and economic issues, requiring global action to address these underlying conditions.

Buying White Beauty, Imani Perry

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article argues that the global phenomenon of skin-bleaching is a manifestation of structural inequality rooted in race, poverty, and globalization. It critiques how the marketing and use of skin-whitening products perpetuate racial hierarchies and reflects broader societal power dynamics, emphasizing the need for legal and regulatory responses to address the health and social implications of this practice.

The Importance Of Realizing "Other Rights" To Prevent Sex Trafficking, Jonathan Todres

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article argues that effectively combating sex trafficking requires a broader approach that goes beyond criminalization and victim assistance. It emphasizes the importance of realizing "other rights" under international human rights law, such as the right to be free from gender-based violence, discrimination, and the rights to birth registration, health, and education. Ensuring these rights addresses the systemic issues that make marginalized populations vulnerable to trafficking and fosters sustainable development, which is critical for long-term prevention.

Issues Surrounding Initial Intervention, Martin Guggenheim

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article critiques the narrow focus of modern child welfare policy on rescuing children from abusive or neglectful families, arguing that this approach neglects the root causes of child welfare issues, particularly poverty. Using the metaphor of a stranger who refuses to merely rescue babies from a stream and instead seeks to address the source of the problem upstream, the article contends that child welfare policy must expand its scope to address systemic issues like poverty and inadequate social support for families. Current policy, the article argues, prioritizes adoption and foster care over preventing the conditions that lead to child …

Under-Intervention Versus Over-Intervention, Dorothy Roberts

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article argues that the racial disparity in the U.S. child welfare system, particularly the overrepresentation of Black and brown children, is not merely a result of societal conditions but is deeply rooted in systemic bias and policy choices. The child welfare system disproportionately targets poor, Black families, often removing children for reasons related to poverty rather than severe abuse or neglect. This disparity perpetuates harm to families and communities, contradicting principles of democracy and human rights. The article calls for a shift in focus from debating whether the causes of disparity are internal or external to addressing the systemic …

The Ramifications Of The Fcc's Failure To Minimize Negative Media Portrayals Of Latinas And Black Women, Fiordaliza Batista

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The note argues that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has failed to address the systemic issue of negative and stereotypical portrayals of minorities, particularly minority women, in media. These portrayals perpetuate racial and gender stereotypes, contributing to societal discrimination and violence. The FCC's inaction, coupled with its refusal to recognize minority status in licensing and employment practices, exacerbates these issues. The note calls for revised policies to promote diversity and accurate representations in broadcasting, emphasizing the need for regulatory reforms to address these harms.

Summers Of Our Discontent, Phyllis Goldfarb

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Lawrence Summers' Speech On "Innate" Differences Between Men And Women-A Different Perspective, Thomas C. Fischer

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

No abstract provided.

The One And The Concept: On Hegel's Reading Of Plato's Parmenides, Allegra De Laurentiis

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

No abstract provided.

American Slavery: The Complete Story, Gerald A. Foster

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

The article "American Slavery: The Complete Story" by Gerald A. Foster argues that slavery is a pivotal and enduring element of American history, with its effects still evident today. It emphasizes the need for a more accurate and inclusive historical education, highlighting how race was used to justify slavery and the ongoing impacts of this legacy on modern society. The author advocates for a revised curriculum that acknowledges the true nature of slavery and its contributions to systemic racism.

Grutter V. Bollinger: This Generation's Brown V. Board Of Education, Michelle Adams

Articles

At first blush, Grutter appears to be a deviation from the body of the Court's recent affirmative action jurisprudence: it says "yes" where the other cases said "no." But it is not so clear that Grutter is a deviation from current law. Instead, it might be seen as consistent with it, in that the justification for the racial preference recognized in Grutter transcended the justifications offered in the previous cases, and the method used to achieve that end, "race as a factor," diffused rather than highlighted race. From this perspective, Grutter addressed several concerns that had troubled the Court for …

Let Us Be Done With Totalizing "Black" Histories, E. Nathaniel Gates

Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal

No abstract provided.

Partnerships And Facilitation: Mediators Develop New Skills For Complex Cases, Lela P. Love, Joseph B. Stulberg

Articles

No abstract provided.

Democracy Realized One Classroom At A Time, Peter Goodrich

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article critiques the traditional hierarchy and exclusivity of legal academic publishing, particularly in law reviews, by exploring the radical potential of publishing student seminar contributions. It argues that such collective expression challenges the conventional norms of legal scholarship, democratizes the classroom, and reimagines the relationship between teachers and students. The symposium discussed in the article exemplifies this shift, showcasing diverse voices and experiences that disrupt the homogeneous style and substance of traditional legal publishing.

Hitting For The Academic Cycle, Paul R. Verkuil

Articles

The article reflects on the author's journey through various academic and administrative roles, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of transitioning from faculty to dean to university president and back to faculty. The central argument is that effective academic leadership, particularly in law schools, requires balancing scholarly productivity, institutional differentiation, and collaboration with the broader university community. The author highlights the importance of maintaining scholarly engagement as a dean and president, leveraging unique institutional strengths, and fostering faculty unity through shared academic missions.

Nine Shibboleths Of The New Federalism, Marci A. Hamilton

Articles

No abstract provided.

The Braided Uproar: A Defense Of My Sister's Hair And A Contemporary Indictment Of Rogers V. American Airlines, Michelle L. Turner

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

The article examines the discriminatory impact of employer-mandated grooming policies, particularly those prohibiting braided hairstyles, on Black women, using the case of Renee Rogers v. American Airlines as a focal point. It critiques the court's dismissal of Rogers' claims, arguing that such policies reflect systemic racism and sexism embedded in White beauty norms. The author advocates for legal reforms, including amending Title VII to recognize intersecting race and gender discrimination, and adopting a pluralist approach to cultural expression in the workplace.

The Law Of White Spaces: Race, Culture, And Legal Education, Peter Goodrich, Linda G. Mills

Articles

The scene, drawn from memory, is a first-year law school classroom. It is the early 1980s and the class is on civil procedure. The teacher is a white woman. She is nervous, and the class is dominated by students who provide standard right answers to formulaic law school questions. Other points of view, particularly those of a critical or feminist nature, are either passed over quickly or ignored. Questions of color are never mentioned. More than that, the teacher never calls on any African-American students. Students of color are either ignored completely or told, when they have questions, “We are …

Asset Protection Trusts: Trust Law's Race To The Bottom?, Stewart E. Sterk

Articles

The article examines the evolution and implications of asset protection trusts, highlighting how their use has expanded beyond high-net-worth individuals to professionals like physicians. It critiques the race among jurisdictions, particularly smaller states such as Alaska and Delaware, to create favorable trust laws, arguing that this competition may lead to inefficient and unfair legal frameworks. The analysis emphasizes the tension between creditor rights and debtor protections, suggesting that without federal intervention or multistate coordination, this race could undermine the balance between these interests, potentially harming the broader economy.

Metropolitanism, Progressivism, And Race, Edward A. Zelinsky

Articles

Professor Zelinsky examines three books on local government. Two of these, Cities Without Suburbs, by David Rusk, and Citistates, by Neal Peirce, call for metropolitanizing the governance of urban areas. Our Town, by David L. Kirp, John P. Dwyer, and Larry A. Rosenthal, explores the Mt. Laurel litigation and its aftermath and suggests that the land use authority of local governments be diminished through court-ordered zoning for low-income housing.

Professor Zelinsky is skeptical of these well-intentioned proposals. The metropolitan governments advocated by Rusk and Peirce would be less responsive than the smaller localities they would replace and less likely to …

"A Revolution Which Seeks To Abolish Law, Must End Necessarily In Despotism": Louisa Mccord And Antebellum Southern Legal Thought, Alfred L. Brophy

Cardozo Journal of Equal Rights & Social Justice

Louisa McCord's essays provide a unique lens into the legal and political thought of antebellum Southern society, particularly her defense of slavery and the role of law in maintaining social order. She argued that law should ensure basic fairness in market transactions but should not interfere with the institution of slavery, which she viewed as a matter of sentiment rather than legal regulation. McCord's work challenges the notion that legal history is confined to the common law tradition, emphasizing the importance of understanding law as part of a broader societal outlook.