Florida Law Schools’ Consortium on Racial Justice to Address Myths About Critical Race Theory
The 11 law schools that make up the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium on Racial Justice will hold the consortium’s first event of the year on February 16 to discuss an often-misunderstood topic, critical race theory. This is the second statewide forum since its formation in 2020.
The consortium, which includes all of Florida’s law schools, aims to combat systemic racism through fostering anti-racism in legal education. In 2020, Stetson Law Dean Michèle Alexandre collaborated with the other Florida Law Deans to launch the Consortium’s foundation. Today, the consortium is institutionalized in each Florida law school and is led in collaboration with Professor Judy Scully and Attorney Joann Grages Burnett.
“The work of the FLSCRJ is important because we are focused on the moral responsibility of the legal profession to breathe life into the phrase that is inscribed on the entrance to the United States Supreme Court building – ‘equal justice under law,’” Scully said.
The February 16 forum, titled “Critical Race Theory: Myths and Misrepresentations,” will explore critical race theory as well as correct misconceptions about this historic legal approach. Recently, the term has been usurped and misrepresented in a manner that stokes fear and division. The mischaracterization of CRT has even led to legislation at the state and local level, including in Florida, “banning” it from being taught in public schools – despite the fact that its use has not traditionally extended to K-12 education.
Consortium leadership hopes to shed light on critical race theory and inspire everyone to learn more about the correct application of this transformative school of thought.
“As educators, we prioritize creating space for deep learning and critical evaluation of assumptions. Part of justice work is to correct misinformation, especially when such misinformation causes harm,” said Alexandre, who will be a panelist at the forum. “I am elated that the Florida Consortium can contribute to this important work and encourage everyone to engage with the esteemed panelists who will take part in the discussion.”
Panelists for the discussion include Dean Michèle Alexandre, Emory University Law Professor Darren Hutchinson, and Amy Donofrio, an educator and Executive Director of the EVAC Movement, a Jacksonville-based organization that aims to transform the lives of youth often considered “at-risk.” The talk will be moderated by Ray Benson and Cassidy Mauth, the FLSCRJ fellows at Florida A&M University College of Law, the institution that is serving as the event’s host.
“Our mission is to serve as a beacon of hope and catalyst for change by providing access to excellent educational training, and this panel offers such an opportunity,” said Deidré Keller, Dean and Professor of Law at Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law. “We’re proud to host this forum and elated to have two of our talented law students moderate the discussion.”
Participants say conversations like this are vital, given how a distorted version of CRT is now capitalized to influence voters ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
“The recent attacks on Critical Race Theory are part of an organized countermovement to racial justice,” Hutchinson said. “Anti-CRT legislation and restrictions on political activism and voting are designed to impede the attainment of a more just society.”
Educating the public on what critical race theory is – and is not – can help foster more productive conversations about systemic racism and how it affects our legal system, including how we educate lawyers.
“It is our duty as legal educators and sculptors of the legal profession to ensure that this next generation of lawyers takes this responsibility seriously,” Scully said. “We view this mission not just as a law school effort but as a community-wide effort. And, since the anti-CRT movement has been so vocal in Florida’s legislature, it is a timely topic for all 11 Florida law schools to examine thoroughly.”
The Florida Law Schools Consortium on Racial Justice first convened in the summer of 2020.
The 11 Florida law school deans are:
- John Czarnetzky, Chief Executive Officer & Dean, Ave Maria School of Law
- Leticia M. Diaz, Dean & Professor, Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
- Deidre A. Keller, Dean, Florida A&M University College of Law
- Antony Page, Dean & FIU Foundation Professor, Florida International University College of Law
- Erin O’Hara O’Connor, Dean & McKenzie Professor, Florida State U. College of Law
- Dean Jose Roberto Juarez, Jr. Dean & Professor, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
- Tamara F. Lawson, Dean & Professor, St. Thomas University School of Law
- Michèle Alexandre, Dean & Professor, Stetson University College of Law
- Laura Ann Rosenbury, Dean & Levin, Mabie & Levin Professor, University of Florida Levin College of Law
- Nell Jessup Newton, Interim Dean & Visiting Professor, University of Miami School of Law
- James McGrath, President & Dean, WMU – Cooley Law School Tampa Bay Campus
The discussion takes place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sign up for this virtual event.
Post date: Feb. 14, 2022
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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