Confronting Racism in the Courts: A Community Conversation

Monday, February 22 at 5pm

Last year, the Massachusetts Judiciary hosted its inaugural Black History Month event, with a listening session for Black communities, in acknowledgement of 400 years of racial injustice. We invited the Roxbury Community to share the experiences of diverse communities when they come to the courts and to offer ideas on ways to improve our justice system. We solicited your thoughts on the meaning of “Justice for All.”

The events of the past year reveal how much more we need to do to create a just and fair society. Plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic, our country was forced to confront the health disparities in communities of color. The beginning of the national and global reckoning of racial injustice resulted in the widespread demands for equal justice. Courts and other institutions faced the institutional racism embedded in their organizations. Harvard Law School released its report on Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal Justice System. The Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being released its report summarizing the disturbing experiences of diverse members of the legal profession. 

While Black History Month is often the occasion to celebrate and honor the contributions, accomplishments and rich heritage of Black Americans, as a court system, we recommit the courts to the pursuit of justice and eradication of racial injustice. This year, we invite you to engage directly with court leadership on confronting racism in the courts.

Live streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0joiDSdHvKU&feature=youtu.be