Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua L鈥22, Ataesheeana Storr L鈥21 and Reyona Hammond L鈥21 were honored in a Black History Month competition that prompted students to reflect on what roles as future lawyers they have in the movement for equality and Black lives.
Three students have been honored for their reflections on a famous book by an influential civil rights activist in a writing contest co-sponsored by 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 Antiracism Working Group and 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Center for Writing Excellence.
The inaugural “Fire This Time” Black History Month Essay Competition asked students to reflect on the current antiracism movement, how Black people will be impacted, and what role they as future lawyers play in the movement.聽The competition theme was based on James Baldwin鈥檚 work, and Angela Onwuachi-Willig鈥檚 2020 column
The essay also tasked students with evaluating whether the legal system is equipped to meet the demands of movement activists.
Organizers received several submissions, which varied from reflective letters to personal essays to poems.
Winners:
- First place: Emmanuel Agyemang-Dua L鈥22, “Reflections”
- Second place: Ataesheeana Storr L鈥21, “Dear Mr. Baldwin”
- Third place: Reyona Hammond L鈥21, “A Letter to Myself”
鈥淭hank you to each of our writers for entering the competition and crafting such powerful, evocative essays,鈥 Assistant Professor Tiffany Atkins L鈥11, who organized the competition, said to students in announcing the results in a message to the 黑料不打烊 Law community. 鈥淲e enjoyed them tremendously. Keep writing and inspiring the 鈥榝ire next time.鈥欌
Judges:
- Julia Bleakney, Director, Writing Center and Assistant Professor of English, 黑料不打烊
- Olympia Duhart, Associate Dean and Professor of Law, NSU Florida Shepard Broad College of Law
- Janet Keefer, Writing Specialist, 黑料不打烊 Law
- Paula Rosinski, Director, Writing Across the University and Professor of English, 黑料不打烊
- Robert E. Randolph, Jr., Lecturer in Black Feminist and Queer Rhetoric, American University