Editor's Letter: June 2020
The death of George Floyd has brought to the fore the chronic issue of racial injustice in America. Let's be honest. This isn't the first time. People from all walks of life continue to protest in moral outrage to demand justice. I, too, participated in a march. I just couldn't sit idly on my sofa. I just couldn't.
At the same time, I have been feeling immensely frustrated as I keep finding myself unable to contribute to fulfilling this moral imperative in some meaningful way. All I could do is to educate myself on the subject by reading articles and books. (That's, in itself, not valueless, but it isn't sufficient, either!) I'm going to be really frank with you. I should openly acknowledge that, throughout the years, my understanding of the plight of racial minorities has been largely shaped by the academic discourses I have encountered and discussed in my classes at NYU and Fordham Law. I know, in my head, what narratives there are to engage in a conversation, but I would be not true to my heart if I say I know what it truly means to be a minority in the United States and around the world.
Now, I realize that knowing is not enough. That I am an international student from South Korea can't be an excuse to fall short of taking actions. In the coming weeks, I will be hopefully having conversations with black models working in the fashion industry. This time, more than ever, their voices should guide us. It's time to really listen to the story of "the unheard". Only by doing so can I be a better ally and eventually be vocal about substantive changes that are necessary. I will be a lawyer next year with an eye to work in fashion. A sense of justice should not be lost on my mind in the years to come. The fair administration of justice lies at the moral core of the profession. I will strive, to the best of my abilities, to live up to that promise.
In the meantime, if you want to take a concrete action that will change the lives of many in a palpable way, sign a petition to repeal Section 50-a of New York's Civil Rights Law!
At the same time, I have been feeling immensely frustrated as I keep finding myself unable to contribute to fulfilling this moral imperative in some meaningful way. All I could do is to educate myself on the subject by reading articles and books. (That's, in itself, not valueless, but it isn't sufficient, either!) I'm going to be really frank with you. I should openly acknowledge that, throughout the years, my understanding of the plight of racial minorities has been largely shaped by the academic discourses I have encountered and discussed in my classes at NYU and Fordham Law. I know, in my head, what narratives there are to engage in a conversation, but I would be not true to my heart if I say I know what it truly means to be a minority in the United States and around the world.
Now, I realize that knowing is not enough. That I am an international student from South Korea can't be an excuse to fall short of taking actions. In the coming weeks, I will be hopefully having conversations with black models working in the fashion industry. This time, more than ever, their voices should guide us. It's time to really listen to the story of "the unheard". Only by doing so can I be a better ally and eventually be vocal about substantive changes that are necessary. I will be a lawyer next year with an eye to work in fashion. A sense of justice should not be lost on my mind in the years to come. The fair administration of justice lies at the moral core of the profession. I will strive, to the best of my abilities, to live up to that promise.
In the meantime, if you want to take a concrete action that will change the lives of many in a palpable way, sign a petition to repeal Section 50-a of New York's Civil Rights Law!
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