Look for me in the whirlwind or the storm, look for me all around you, for, with God’s grace, I shall come and bring with me countless millions of black slaves who have died in America and the West Indies and the millions in Africa to aid you in the fight for Liberty, Freedom, and Life.
- Marcus Garvey
Northeastern University School of Law’s Black Law Students Association–Kemet Chapter is excited to welcome you to the 2024-2025 academic year! This year’s theme “Scouring the Whirlwind” nods to Marcus Garvey and the Panther 21, emphasizing our debt to our ancestors and the necessity of continuing the struggle for justice that they began. From its inception, the NUSL Black Law Students Association (BLSA) has been committed to the development of Black lawyers, sharing knowledge about navigating the legal field and making resources available to create the best lawyers possible. This commitment goes beyond merely nurturing future Black professionals: it has always encompassed a broader commitment to empowering and encouraging students on a personal level. Amid the constant pressure of law school, BLSA seeks to be a place of support and community.
As we speak, the world is beset by interwoven crises. Globally, we witness the worsening symptoms of the impending climate crisis, the punishment of Haiti by Western powers, and ongoing genocides in Palestine, Sudan and the Congo. Within the US, we face state-driven repression of queer people, widespread economic hardship and the rising tide of fascism. The reforms to the criminal legal system that were promised in the heat of 2020 have not arrived; instead, police budgets have increased, the judiciary has become more reactionary, and prosecutorial discretion has been weaponized to suppress activism in places like Atlanta. As students at a law school with a strong public interest focus, these crises are never far from our minds; as Black students, we also recognize that anti-blackness both animates and is reproduced by each of these crises. This is the world that we are all preparing to enter as future lawyers, and it is BLSA’s mission to prepare every member to contribute to the fight against these injustices in whatever form that takes.
We recognize that Black students come to law school with different goals and divergent interests. As an organization, we are committed to supporting all members and all future career paths. In line with this commitment, BLSA is dedicated to the advancement of Black lawyers through resources designed to aid the academic and professional achievements of our members. We are also deeply committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment, where everyone feels supported and valued. Our unity is not static or based on a one-dimensional concept of sameness. As Amilcar Cabral reminded us, unity is predicated on diversity. Despite our different interests, career goals and backgrounds, we are united by our investment in the futures of Black people. This unity, with all its particularities and broadness of experience, becomes a source of strength for all of us as we navigate law school and the legal profession. It is our goal to deepen and strengthen our unity over the course of this year and beyond, through mentorship, networking and community events. It is through this deepening that it will become possible to face and overcome the challenges that confront us all. Always know that if you look for us in the whirlwind, we will come.
In solidarity,
Your E-Board