NBLSA's Response to Harvard Law 3L's Racial Comments

Washington, DC (April 29, 2010) - The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) was disheartened to hear about the controversial and racially inflammatory comments made by a third-year student at Harvard Law School. As law students, we are all preparing to be social engineers for our society. It is very important for us to keep in mind that America's future is being shaped everyday in classrooms across the country. Academics are a priority, but it is equally important for law students to make the grade when it comes to learning about diversity and other race related issues. NBLSA would like to encourage everyone involved in this unfortunate incident to be proactive and not reactive to the comments or thoughts that were expressed. Open forums and further constructive dialogue on this issue is key, and may serve as catalysts to a better understanding of individual differences and experiences.

NBLSA would like to defer all questions, comments, or concerns about this incident to Harvard's local BLSA chapter (HBLSA). They may be contacted via email at blsa@law.harvard.edu.

Press Contact:
Erica Washington
National Director of Public Relations
The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA)
publicrelations@nblsa.org

About The National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA):

Founded in 1968, the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) is a national, non-profit organization created and designed to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Black law students; foster and encourage professional competence; focus upon the relationship of the Black attorney to the American legal system; instill in the Black attorney and law student a greater awareness of and commitment to the needs of the Black community; utilize member expertise to initiate a change within the legal system that will make it more responsive to the needs and concerns of the Black community; and do any and all things necessary and lawful in order to accomplish these goals. NBLSA is the largest student-run organization in America and has approximately 200 chapters at law schools throughout the country. This represents almost every ABA accredited law school, plus several non-accredited law schools. These chapters represent nearly 6,000 Black law students in six regions that encompass 48 states including Hawaii and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Recently, NBLSA has established an international connection with Black law students in Canada, England, South Africa, and the Bahamas who have decided to model their student organizations after NBLSA.

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