Editor’s Welcome to Volume 25

Posted on Oct 29, 2010

Hello, and welcome to volume 25 of the Harvard BlackLetter Law Journal. Our anniversary edition comes on the heels of the election of the first black President of the United States, Barack Obama, during an era not unlike the Great Depression, when competence and efficiency are crucial. The joy of President Obama’s accomplishment is tempered by the recognition that the work of advocates for civil rights and equality is far from over. The election and the current affairs of status minorities in the U.S.
necessitated a review of the Journal’s role and relevance in light of such global change.

For a quarter of a century, the Journal that began as a newsletter publication of the Black Law Students Association, has promoted a conscientious and honest dialogue on issues of race, class and other status minorities in the law, through publishing articles by academics, practitioners, and students. In spite of progress made in the area of race relations, the Journal must double its efforts, while refocusing its mission as a catalyst and platform for social advocacy.

This volume confronts the issue of “post-racialism” in America, directly in the anniversary forewords by the Journal’s faculty advisors, Professors Banks and Ogletree; while the volume’s articles reflect on the growing obligations of legal professionals, academics, and others in this new era. It has been an honor to work with terrific, patient authors, editorial board members and staff this year. As the responsibilities of advocates for social change continue to grow, the Journal will conterminously serve as an
open forum for discussing how the law can be used to promote justice, fairness, and equal opportunity. The election of the first black President makes these ends seem more tangible and accessible – we should not hold back now!

Sincerely,
Jay A. Osha
Editor in Chief, BLJ Volume 25