About Me
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Booker T Washington Lit Response " i didnt do it right :^[ "
Booker T. Washington did a very good job in representing free blacks in the United States after the Civil War. Washington’s ability to give great speeches and write excellent articles and narratives were what made him such a great man. It can be determined that there were hints of rhetoric in his papers. Upon reading “The Awakening of the Negro” one could see the hints of rhetoric. If one read “The Awakening of the Negro”, they would be able to establish Washington’s use of logos, and one would also be able to identify the audience Washington was trying to appeal to.
In “The Awakening of the Negro”, Washington talks about how educated Blacks, return to the Black Belt of the South and help out the areas that are in need of assistance. Washington explains how these leaders, or educated Blacks are trained at various Universities. Washington’s logos, logic , or sense of reasoning, help him realize that by training these young, black, students correctly, they can uplift the Blacks in the South, therefore causing the south to prosper from this sudden change from the Blacks of the South. Washington gives examples of how Blacks have traveled where the need is great and change things around. He even talks about his own personal experiences involving a change in the Negro. In describing his own experiences, he talks about two Black schools, Tuskegee and Hampton University. Once the reader establishes Washington’s logos, they can understand who this article was aimed to appeal to.
Washington’s tries to appeal to young, Southern, Blacks who are eager to learn and want to help or uplift the struggling black communities in the South. Washington starts the article off by giving examples of how blacks were being educated when Washington was a mere boy. He then tells the story of how his eagerness to learn and work lead him to Hampton. This may have been an attempt to promote or advertise Hampton University, and if this was the case, it would support the claim that this article was intended for young, southern, blacks who were interested in education and change. Later on in the article, Washington states how Tuskegee, helps students. He points out that the school teaches students and prepares them for the world of work by giving them hands-on experience in about 25 industries. This would appeal to, young, southern, blacks who were interested in education, work, and a change for southern blacks. It is clear that Washington’s article is aimed for southern blacks, but some may question whether it is aimed for young blacks interested in education, work, or change. Well in the article Washington talks a lot about guiding, or training and about how years or time must pass in order to see a dramatic change in the South. He even gives examples of how change occurred in just couple of months. Most of the changes occurred when schools were built, but it wasn’t a sudden change. Months had to pass in order for people to see how things had changed for blacks in school. One last and most obvious thing that helped establish who the audience was, was Washington’s constant praise of Southern Blacks who wanted education, work and change.
Rhetoric is evident in all types of literature. A great man like Booker T. Washington, couldn’t hide from rhetoric. His article, “The Awakening of the Negro” contained rhetoric, and Logos and his Audience were discussed in this Lit response.
In “The Awakening of the Negro”, Washington talks about how educated Blacks, return to the Black Belt of the South and help out the areas that are in need of assistance. Washington explains how these leaders, or educated Blacks are trained at various Universities. Washington’s logos, logic , or sense of reasoning, help him realize that by training these young, black, students correctly, they can uplift the Blacks in the South, therefore causing the south to prosper from this sudden change from the Blacks of the South. Washington gives examples of how Blacks have traveled where the need is great and change things around. He even talks about his own personal experiences involving a change in the Negro. In describing his own experiences, he talks about two Black schools, Tuskegee and Hampton University. Once the reader establishes Washington’s logos, they can understand who this article was aimed to appeal to.
Washington’s tries to appeal to young, Southern, Blacks who are eager to learn and want to help or uplift the struggling black communities in the South. Washington starts the article off by giving examples of how blacks were being educated when Washington was a mere boy. He then tells the story of how his eagerness to learn and work lead him to Hampton. This may have been an attempt to promote or advertise Hampton University, and if this was the case, it would support the claim that this article was intended for young, southern, blacks who were interested in education and change. Later on in the article, Washington states how Tuskegee, helps students. He points out that the school teaches students and prepares them for the world of work by giving them hands-on experience in about 25 industries. This would appeal to, young, southern, blacks who were interested in education, work, and a change for southern blacks. It is clear that Washington’s article is aimed for southern blacks, but some may question whether it is aimed for young blacks interested in education, work, or change. Well in the article Washington talks a lot about guiding, or training and about how years or time must pass in order to see a dramatic change in the South. He even gives examples of how change occurred in just couple of months. Most of the changes occurred when schools were built, but it wasn’t a sudden change. Months had to pass in order for people to see how things had changed for blacks in school. One last and most obvious thing that helped establish who the audience was, was Washington’s constant praise of Southern Blacks who wanted education, work and change.
Rhetoric is evident in all types of literature. A great man like Booker T. Washington, couldn’t hide from rhetoric. His article, “The Awakening of the Negro” contained rhetoric, and Logos and his Audience were discussed in this Lit response.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Mello Yello Wallpapa
Realism is a style in literature that attempts to show the world as it really is. Charlotte Perkins Gilman tries to create a sense of realism in her story called, The Yellow Wall Paper. This story deals with the narrator and her husband, John, who rent a mansion so that the narrator can recuperate from her sickness or depression. The takes place after the civil war, in late 1800s. Gilman uses realism to show how women are still being held back and how they still do not have full equality.
Gilman appeals to female reader because her story, for one involves, a woman, and two, women at this time have been suffering from an illness similar to the one that the narrator suffered from in the story. This story does seem like a real story. It is written like a journal or diary, in which the narrator expresses her feelings and gives vivid details of her surroundings. Because this story seems real, it is determined that the author uses realism as the writing style for her story.
Now the question is, how Gilman uses realism to show how women are still being held back and how they still do not have full equality. Well for starters the fact that the narrator isn’t able to leave the room wit out her husband shows that she is basically being imprisoned. She cannot do anything without the consent of her husband. It seems as though everything in society has changed except the rights of women. John doesn’t even listen to his wife. Sometimes it seems as though he doesn’t even care. In the story the narrator says, “John is away all day, and even some nights when his cases are serious. I’m glad my case is not serious.” How is her case not serious? That’s his wife. The narrator even says, “John does not know how much I really suffer.” This is sad but it just shows how women were treated like crap. Writing is the only way a woman can fully express herself. This is the case for the narrator, she must write in secret, not letting anyone see it. This show how a woman’s voice is not equal to a man’s, a woman must write in secret and contain her true feeling on a “dead piece of paper”, while a man is able to speak freely.
Gilman uses realism to point the unjust treatment of women, and how they are imprisoned. Towards the end of the story the Narrator rips up the yellow wall paper which has stimulated her mind for past 3 months. By the narrator ripping up the horrid yellow wallpaper and escaping from prison which John has imprisoned her, Gilman symbolizes how woman must break free from the barriers that hold woman back, and fight for their rights.
Gilman appeals to female reader because her story, for one involves, a woman, and two, women at this time have been suffering from an illness similar to the one that the narrator suffered from in the story. This story does seem like a real story. It is written like a journal or diary, in which the narrator expresses her feelings and gives vivid details of her surroundings. Because this story seems real, it is determined that the author uses realism as the writing style for her story.
Now the question is, how Gilman uses realism to show how women are still being held back and how they still do not have full equality. Well for starters the fact that the narrator isn’t able to leave the room wit out her husband shows that she is basically being imprisoned. She cannot do anything without the consent of her husband. It seems as though everything in society has changed except the rights of women. John doesn’t even listen to his wife. Sometimes it seems as though he doesn’t even care. In the story the narrator says, “John is away all day, and even some nights when his cases are serious. I’m glad my case is not serious.” How is her case not serious? That’s his wife. The narrator even says, “John does not know how much I really suffer.” This is sad but it just shows how women were treated like crap. Writing is the only way a woman can fully express herself. This is the case for the narrator, she must write in secret, not letting anyone see it. This show how a woman’s voice is not equal to a man’s, a woman must write in secret and contain her true feeling on a “dead piece of paper”, while a man is able to speak freely.
Gilman uses realism to point the unjust treatment of women, and how they are imprisoned. Towards the end of the story the Narrator rips up the yellow wall paper which has stimulated her mind for past 3 months. By the narrator ripping up the horrid yellow wallpaper and escaping from prison which John has imprisoned her, Gilman symbolizes how woman must break free from the barriers that hold woman back, and fight for their rights.
Monday, November 17, 2008
BIBLIOGRAPHY ANNOTATIONS (lawyer)
LAW ANNOTATIONS
"Unbundled" Approach Would Help Poor. (2003, December). USA Today , pp. 17-17.
This article says that the legal profession should change the way it handles personal civil legal counsel to potential clients by broadening the type s of services available, particularly for low, or poor, to moderate income people. This was suggested during a 2003 report by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services in Chicago Ill. In the report it stresses the importance of recingizing a continum of legal needs. The article also brings out that technology such as the internet, could help potiential clients get access to attorneys and justice. It is stated in the article that the “Report on the Public Hearing On Access To Justice” cites “unbundled” legal services as a n inportant tool in matching people of moderate means with the legal assistance they require. Unbuddling is when attorneys provide some of their services for a case. The article doesn’t really talk about what resorces are currently available to potential clients. This article is important to me because I would like to be laywer who helps out clients who may not have enough money to afford a big time lawyer from a law firm.
Appin, R. (1997, March 08). DNA--One Weapon Against Frameup or Mistaken Identity. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 18-18.
DNA is mostly used in medicine and science. Now DNA technology is being used in crimainal investigations. DNA was key in the O.J. Simpson trial. Two of O.J.’s former defense attorneys, Barry Scheck and Peter Nuefield, were two well known DNA experts in the legal community. This article discusses how DNA is changing many past and present outcomes of criminal trials. Scheck and Neufield had to fight long andlong and hard to get DNA technology accepted in criminal cases. It is stated that African American males were the main recipients of the DNA project. Some feel that DNA testing should be made a standard practice in criminal cases. DNA is much more credible than an eye witness. There have been many examples of how DNA confirmed a convited felon’s innocence. This project has changed the lives of many people. The article didn’t mention any other people who tried to fight for DNA testing in criminal cases. As a lawyer I would want to have the technology and resources to prove someone innocent or guilty and DNA evidence is is that piece of evidence I would be most reliable thing to use.
Hewit, B., Arias, R., Clark, C., Benet, L., Dodd, J., Harrington, M., et al. (2005, March 21). The Gloves Come Off. People , pp. 91-95.
The article reports on the trial of pop king Michael Jackson. The trial has only been going on two weeks and its getting to the heart of the case against 46 year old Michael Jackson. At this point in the trial, the court has heard from the sister, and the brother of the accuser. Prosecutor Thomas Sneddon, who led a failed investigation in1993 against Jackson, along with the children who testified, painted an image of Jackson as a freaky man; a man who gave the children wine, which he called “Jesus Juice”, surfed porno sites with them and molested the accuser, who was recovering from many types of cancers. The article also brings out how Jay Leno is somehow involved with the case. Leno is supposed to testify because in 2000, the accuser called Leno, but Leno hung up, suspecting that the mother was using the boy to get money to cover medical expenses. The defense is even considering letting Michael Jackson testify. The article states that if Michael Jackson were to take the stand, it would make the courtroom an even more bizarre theater. The accuser’s mother, who is portrayed as a greedy manipulator by the defense, is a key person in the Michael Jackson case. The article notes who the most important people are in the case and asks who the real victim and victimizer are. This article was good but it would have been better if it would have gave more background information on the accuser’s mother and gave some info on some of the other scams she may have tried to pull. Reading about an actual trial is good for me because it gives me the heads up on how things go in a trial. The fact that is a bizarre trial is even better because I may have to defend or prosecute a person who is considered odd.
Holmes, T. E., & Richardson, N. M. (2005, August). Blacks Underrepresented in Legal. Black Enterprise , pp. 38-38.
This article deals with facts and figures. It reports and sums up the results of the report “ Miles to Go: Progress of Minorities in the Legal Profession”, which was created in 2005 by the American Bar Association. The article pionts out that Blacks remain largely underrepresented in high paying jobs, and that the number of African American students enrolled in law school has fallen to a 12 year low.The report looks at the most recent data available from academic, governtment and professional sources and looks at the careers of lawyers from different racial and ethnic groups. Even though blacks make up 3.9 percent of all lawyers, the percentage of blacks entering the legal profession is lower than Hispanics and Asian americans. The percentage of law school students enrolling in law school has dropped from 7.4 percent to 6.6 percent. The article also brings out how there is a low percentage of African Americans that are partners in a private practice and that only 9.1 percent of general counsel are minorities. It is noted that blacks have better in securingpartnerships than other minorities. Blacks are more likely to be employed by the federal government than other minorities. The article even list some of the reasons for blacks failure to advance to the highest levels of law practices. This article failed to list the names of the sources from which the data and staticts were collected. As an african American male it hurts me to see these numbers that prove that the balck man is not represented in the Legal system. This article inspires me to change things by becoming a successful black lawyer, who works for a powerful law firm or has his own pratice.
Ladinsky, J. (1963, February). Careers of Lawyers, Law Practice, and Legal Institutions. American Sociological Review , pp. 47-54.
This paper talked brought together data on early socialization surroundings of lawyers and the social agencies through which they move in life with speculations about how these social contexts effect the legal system. The article is an analysis of processes and effects of self-selection and recruitment in the allocation of the lawyer labor supply. The article begins by defining solo and firm lawyers. After Ladinsky defines the lawyers, he then describes how they are different and alike in some ways. As stated before an analysis was taken for this article. This analysis was based on a sample of 207 Detroit area Lawyers, 100 solos and 107 firm lawyers. Ladinsky gave detailed info on the actual group that was analyzed and how they were analyzed. Ladinsky sums up his analysis in 3 data tables titled: 1. Social origins, 2. Education, and 3. Work History. It is stated in the article that the first table, Social origins, supported “the conclusion that solo lawyers are “minority lawyers”- they come more often than firm lawyers from working-class and entrepreneurial families of minority religion and ethnic status. The second table, Education, showed that firm lawyers have received a much better education than solo lawyers. The third and final table, Work history, showed that solo lawyers have more work experience than firm lawyers, and they are more likely to have experienced marginal law work, upward, mobility, and somewhat disorderly work histories. The author of the article later talks about how the interpretation of the date was done and some of the major forces that were involved. The two major forces that operate in the social allocation process are: personal self-selection and organizational recruitment. Ladinsky gives a brief definition of the two and explains their role in the interpretation of the data. This article shows how social backgrounds have a lot to do with the careers of lawyers and legal institutions. The only flaw in this article was that it went over and talked about some things that seemed irrelevant to the main point. The analysis of the data helped me predict what type of lawyer I may become in the future.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2007, December 13). Quid pro quo and the Jena 6. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-13.
This Article presents the author’s comments on issues concerning a law suit involving the Jena 6, which implied a group of some black teenagers that beat school student Justin Barker. The Author argues about the absence of legal representation during the practice of law among the African American community. The author expresses his feelings in a very detailed manner. His tone seems to imply that he is somewhat angry with many legal officials and so-called supporters of the students involved with the Jena 6 case. And by supporters I mean Civil rights leader. The Author regrets over the failure of the appeals court to present sufficient evidence to sustain the charges against Mychal Bell, a student who was involved in the Jena 6 case. Maddox mentions some other factors in this case that give off the sense that there has been some foul play in Jena, Louisiana. The author makes a strong statement in saying that Jena, Louisiana is back to its Jim Crow ways. He points out that the Civil Rights Leaders have taken the wrong action in fighting for justice for the students involved with Jena 6. Maddox feels that the Civil Rights Leader have taken unnecessary actions in this case, and that their motives for coming to Jena, LA may not have been so righteous and just as many people think. Many of the people who fought for Mychal Bell have sold him out. Maddox points out the ugliness of the Jena 6 case, from whites and blacks. He feels that blacks have become political pawns and economic squatters, and that we, as blacks, have no economic relationship with the land and no political relationship with the government. The only thing that is wrong in this article is that most of what is said by Maddox hasn’t been proven in the article. This article helped me realize that corruption and racism really do still exist in the Legal System. This does not scare it just lets me know that I will have a major challenge to overcome when I pursue my career in law.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2008, June 26). White Prosecuters Destroying Black Life. New York
New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-40.
The author reflects on the uncertainty of the life of African Americans in the United States. The author comments on how African Americans are being treated by white Americans in term of legal prosecutions. Everyone is presumed to know the law. There are many people especially African American who don’t fully know the law. This article gives a very fine example of how blacks do not fully know the law. Maddox states that Race plays a significant role in prosecutions. The author added that enslaved African Americans had no access to the code provision entitled “An Act to Encourage the Baptizing of Negro, Indian, and Mulatto Slaves,” which is only intended for the protection of white men from paternity lawsuits. The author feels that black parents have duties, but no rights, and that a black child is prison bait. He talks about how white prosecutors are lying and waiting for the Black parent who believes,”if you spare the rod, you will spoil the child.” Maddox continues to talk about how blacks are not treated equal to whites in the legal system. Maddox does not include more than one example to support his claims about the treatment of blacks. Racism is clearly evident in the Legal system but if I pursue a career in law I cannot let it affect me, I have to fight for my rights and dreams.
Murr, A., & Riccitello, R. (2004, June 14). A Question of Timing. Newsweek , pp. 8-8.
The Article focuses on the California murder trial of Scott Peterson, the man who killed his pregnant wife, Laci. The articles talks about how this Case deals with a lot of forensic evidence. It also talks about how the defense says that Scott had nothing to do with the murders because hopefully autopsy reports will show the age of Conner at the time of Laci’s disappearance will prove that the baby was born after she disappeared. The Article gives detailed information on how the victims were killed and what happened to the victims while they were in the ocean. This article isn’t very long and it doesn’t contain a whole lot of other legal information. This article shows how Forensics is becoming a contributor in solving crimes like this.
Shover, N. (1973, Decemer). The Civil Justice Process as Societal Reactions. Social Forces , pp. 253-258.
In this article the author suggests that the societal reactions perspective, originally developed in studies of deviant social behavior and the reactions to such behavior is admirably suited to this requirement. Shover clarifies the close fit between the focal concerns of the perspective and empirical problems in legal society. He argues for the applicability of the societal-reactions approach to deviance to an analysis of the civil justice process. He talks a lot about the study of deviant behavior and social processes. Maddox examines 3 different levels of interactional process at which its consequences may be examined: collective rulemaking, intrapersonal relations, and organizational processing. About midway in the article Shover defines and explains the Civil Justice Process, collective rulemaking, intrapersonal relations and the organizational processing. Shover feels that a worthy goal for those who are doing research in the sociology of law is the generation of proportions and theories of the most general sort of possible at any given time. He believes that the use of the social-reactions approach may be especially fruitful in the moving toward this goal. There seem to be a lot of references for this article and most of the information stated in the article seems to be the statements of other people, not Shover. This article is related to criminal law, a field of law that I am interested in going in.
Wood, A. L. (1956, July). Informal Relations in the Practice of Criminal Law. The American Journal of Socialogy , pp. 48-55.
This article focuses on the informal relations in the practice of criminal law. It starts off with a brief description of the frame of reference of Informal relations in the practice of criminal law, and the definition of formal and informal structure of a group. Wood also describes informal patterns and gives a definition of a criminal lawyer. The author writes about how both criminal and civil lawyers partake in community and political activities. It is learned that although both criminal and civil lawyers partake in a wide range of community and political organizations, there are characteristic differences between them. Many criminal lawyers partake in political activities while civil lawyers usually are involved with community activities. Wood moves on to discuss lawyers’ relations with government officials. In the practice of criminal law, lawyers have an extraordinary dependence on government agencies. In civil law the lawyers do not depend on government agencies. It turns out that relationships between attorneys and government officials is beneficial for both parties. Lawyers have friendly relationships with the police, district attorney, and other government officials. Wood lets the reader know that not all criminal lawyers are involved with government officials, but most are. The author describes the systems of informal relations. In some cities criminal lawyers do not build relationships with government officials instead there are cliques of lawyers and the political machine. Lawyers form cliques with other members of the bar. Cliques aren’t very big the usually consist of 1-3 members. Cliques are beneficial to a lawyers practice. Cliques are essential for lawyers, especially solos. The maximum development of an informal system of relationships occurs in an area controlled by a political machine. Political machines are helpful for criminal lawyers. The author then talks about the institutional strains and informal relations. Wood says that the three situations of strain resulting in informal evasions of the formal system are the starting of a practice and the obtaining clients, the adversary system of justice, and the rendering of service. Wood goes into depth with these three situations and then he concludes his article. There were times in this article were the author seemed to stray away from his main point, but overall this very good article. This Article contained a lot of information on the practice of criminal law. The information in this article was very informative and now I know some of the things I need to do to become a successful criminal lawyer.
"Unbundled" Approach Would Help Poor. (2003, December). USA Today , pp. 17-17.
This article says that the legal profession should change the way it handles personal civil legal counsel to potential clients by broadening the type s of services available, particularly for low, or poor, to moderate income people. This was suggested during a 2003 report by the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services in Chicago Ill. In the report it stresses the importance of recingizing a continum of legal needs. The article also brings out that technology such as the internet, could help potiential clients get access to attorneys and justice. It is stated in the article that the “Report on the Public Hearing On Access To Justice” cites “unbundled” legal services as a n inportant tool in matching people of moderate means with the legal assistance they require. Unbuddling is when attorneys provide some of their services for a case. The article doesn’t really talk about what resorces are currently available to potential clients. This article is important to me because I would like to be laywer who helps out clients who may not have enough money to afford a big time lawyer from a law firm.
Appin, R. (1997, March 08). DNA--One Weapon Against Frameup or Mistaken Identity. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 18-18.
DNA is mostly used in medicine and science. Now DNA technology is being used in crimainal investigations. DNA was key in the O.J. Simpson trial. Two of O.J.’s former defense attorneys, Barry Scheck and Peter Nuefield, were two well known DNA experts in the legal community. This article discusses how DNA is changing many past and present outcomes of criminal trials. Scheck and Neufield had to fight long andlong and hard to get DNA technology accepted in criminal cases. It is stated that African American males were the main recipients of the DNA project. Some feel that DNA testing should be made a standard practice in criminal cases. DNA is much more credible than an eye witness. There have been many examples of how DNA confirmed a convited felon’s innocence. This project has changed the lives of many people. The article didn’t mention any other people who tried to fight for DNA testing in criminal cases. As a lawyer I would want to have the technology and resources to prove someone innocent or guilty and DNA evidence is is that piece of evidence I would be most reliable thing to use.
Hewit, B., Arias, R., Clark, C., Benet, L., Dodd, J., Harrington, M., et al. (2005, March 21). The Gloves Come Off. People , pp. 91-95.
The article reports on the trial of pop king Michael Jackson. The trial has only been going on two weeks and its getting to the heart of the case against 46 year old Michael Jackson. At this point in the trial, the court has heard from the sister, and the brother of the accuser. Prosecutor Thomas Sneddon, who led a failed investigation in1993 against Jackson, along with the children who testified, painted an image of Jackson as a freaky man; a man who gave the children wine, which he called “Jesus Juice”, surfed porno sites with them and molested the accuser, who was recovering from many types of cancers. The article also brings out how Jay Leno is somehow involved with the case. Leno is supposed to testify because in 2000, the accuser called Leno, but Leno hung up, suspecting that the mother was using the boy to get money to cover medical expenses. The defense is even considering letting Michael Jackson testify. The article states that if Michael Jackson were to take the stand, it would make the courtroom an even more bizarre theater. The accuser’s mother, who is portrayed as a greedy manipulator by the defense, is a key person in the Michael Jackson case. The article notes who the most important people are in the case and asks who the real victim and victimizer are. This article was good but it would have been better if it would have gave more background information on the accuser’s mother and gave some info on some of the other scams she may have tried to pull. Reading about an actual trial is good for me because it gives me the heads up on how things go in a trial. The fact that is a bizarre trial is even better because I may have to defend or prosecute a person who is considered odd.
Holmes, T. E., & Richardson, N. M. (2005, August). Blacks Underrepresented in Legal. Black Enterprise , pp. 38-38.
This article deals with facts and figures. It reports and sums up the results of the report “ Miles to Go: Progress of Minorities in the Legal Profession”, which was created in 2005 by the American Bar Association. The article pionts out that Blacks remain largely underrepresented in high paying jobs, and that the number of African American students enrolled in law school has fallen to a 12 year low.The report looks at the most recent data available from academic, governtment and professional sources and looks at the careers of lawyers from different racial and ethnic groups. Even though blacks make up 3.9 percent of all lawyers, the percentage of blacks entering the legal profession is lower than Hispanics and Asian americans. The percentage of law school students enrolling in law school has dropped from 7.4 percent to 6.6 percent. The article also brings out how there is a low percentage of African Americans that are partners in a private practice and that only 9.1 percent of general counsel are minorities. It is noted that blacks have better in securingpartnerships than other minorities. Blacks are more likely to be employed by the federal government than other minorities. The article even list some of the reasons for blacks failure to advance to the highest levels of law practices. This article failed to list the names of the sources from which the data and staticts were collected. As an african American male it hurts me to see these numbers that prove that the balck man is not represented in the Legal system. This article inspires me to change things by becoming a successful black lawyer, who works for a powerful law firm or has his own pratice.
Ladinsky, J. (1963, February). Careers of Lawyers, Law Practice, and Legal Institutions. American Sociological Review , pp. 47-54.
This paper talked brought together data on early socialization surroundings of lawyers and the social agencies through which they move in life with speculations about how these social contexts effect the legal system. The article is an analysis of processes and effects of self-selection and recruitment in the allocation of the lawyer labor supply. The article begins by defining solo and firm lawyers. After Ladinsky defines the lawyers, he then describes how they are different and alike in some ways. As stated before an analysis was taken for this article. This analysis was based on a sample of 207 Detroit area Lawyers, 100 solos and 107 firm lawyers. Ladinsky gave detailed info on the actual group that was analyzed and how they were analyzed. Ladinsky sums up his analysis in 3 data tables titled: 1. Social origins, 2. Education, and 3. Work History. It is stated in the article that the first table, Social origins, supported “the conclusion that solo lawyers are “minority lawyers”- they come more often than firm lawyers from working-class and entrepreneurial families of minority religion and ethnic status. The second table, Education, showed that firm lawyers have received a much better education than solo lawyers. The third and final table, Work history, showed that solo lawyers have more work experience than firm lawyers, and they are more likely to have experienced marginal law work, upward, mobility, and somewhat disorderly work histories. The author of the article later talks about how the interpretation of the date was done and some of the major forces that were involved. The two major forces that operate in the social allocation process are: personal self-selection and organizational recruitment. Ladinsky gives a brief definition of the two and explains their role in the interpretation of the data. This article shows how social backgrounds have a lot to do with the careers of lawyers and legal institutions. The only flaw in this article was that it went over and talked about some things that seemed irrelevant to the main point. The analysis of the data helped me predict what type of lawyer I may become in the future.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2007, December 13). Quid pro quo and the Jena 6. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-13.
This Article presents the author’s comments on issues concerning a law suit involving the Jena 6, which implied a group of some black teenagers that beat school student Justin Barker. The Author argues about the absence of legal representation during the practice of law among the African American community. The author expresses his feelings in a very detailed manner. His tone seems to imply that he is somewhat angry with many legal officials and so-called supporters of the students involved with the Jena 6 case. And by supporters I mean Civil rights leader. The Author regrets over the failure of the appeals court to present sufficient evidence to sustain the charges against Mychal Bell, a student who was involved in the Jena 6 case. Maddox mentions some other factors in this case that give off the sense that there has been some foul play in Jena, Louisiana. The author makes a strong statement in saying that Jena, Louisiana is back to its Jim Crow ways. He points out that the Civil Rights Leaders have taken the wrong action in fighting for justice for the students involved with Jena 6. Maddox feels that the Civil Rights Leader have taken unnecessary actions in this case, and that their motives for coming to Jena, LA may not have been so righteous and just as many people think. Many of the people who fought for Mychal Bell have sold him out. Maddox points out the ugliness of the Jena 6 case, from whites and blacks. He feels that blacks have become political pawns and economic squatters, and that we, as blacks, have no economic relationship with the land and no political relationship with the government. The only thing that is wrong in this article is that most of what is said by Maddox hasn’t been proven in the article. This article helped me realize that corruption and racism really do still exist in the Legal System. This does not scare it just lets me know that I will have a major challenge to overcome when I pursue my career in law.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2008, June 26). White Prosecuters Destroying Black Life. New York
New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-40.
The author reflects on the uncertainty of the life of African Americans in the United States. The author comments on how African Americans are being treated by white Americans in term of legal prosecutions. Everyone is presumed to know the law. There are many people especially African American who don’t fully know the law. This article gives a very fine example of how blacks do not fully know the law. Maddox states that Race plays a significant role in prosecutions. The author added that enslaved African Americans had no access to the code provision entitled “An Act to Encourage the Baptizing of Negro, Indian, and Mulatto Slaves,” which is only intended for the protection of white men from paternity lawsuits. The author feels that black parents have duties, but no rights, and that a black child is prison bait. He talks about how white prosecutors are lying and waiting for the Black parent who believes,”if you spare the rod, you will spoil the child.” Maddox continues to talk about how blacks are not treated equal to whites in the legal system. Maddox does not include more than one example to support his claims about the treatment of blacks. Racism is clearly evident in the Legal system but if I pursue a career in law I cannot let it affect me, I have to fight for my rights and dreams.
Murr, A., & Riccitello, R. (2004, June 14). A Question of Timing. Newsweek , pp. 8-8.
The Article focuses on the California murder trial of Scott Peterson, the man who killed his pregnant wife, Laci. The articles talks about how this Case deals with a lot of forensic evidence. It also talks about how the defense says that Scott had nothing to do with the murders because hopefully autopsy reports will show the age of Conner at the time of Laci’s disappearance will prove that the baby was born after she disappeared. The Article gives detailed information on how the victims were killed and what happened to the victims while they were in the ocean. This article isn’t very long and it doesn’t contain a whole lot of other legal information. This article shows how Forensics is becoming a contributor in solving crimes like this.
Shover, N. (1973, Decemer). The Civil Justice Process as Societal Reactions. Social Forces , pp. 253-258.
In this article the author suggests that the societal reactions perspective, originally developed in studies of deviant social behavior and the reactions to such behavior is admirably suited to this requirement. Shover clarifies the close fit between the focal concerns of the perspective and empirical problems in legal society. He argues for the applicability of the societal-reactions approach to deviance to an analysis of the civil justice process. He talks a lot about the study of deviant behavior and social processes. Maddox examines 3 different levels of interactional process at which its consequences may be examined: collective rulemaking, intrapersonal relations, and organizational processing. About midway in the article Shover defines and explains the Civil Justice Process, collective rulemaking, intrapersonal relations and the organizational processing. Shover feels that a worthy goal for those who are doing research in the sociology of law is the generation of proportions and theories of the most general sort of possible at any given time. He believes that the use of the social-reactions approach may be especially fruitful in the moving toward this goal. There seem to be a lot of references for this article and most of the information stated in the article seems to be the statements of other people, not Shover. This article is related to criminal law, a field of law that I am interested in going in.
Wood, A. L. (1956, July). Informal Relations in the Practice of Criminal Law. The American Journal of Socialogy , pp. 48-55.
This article focuses on the informal relations in the practice of criminal law. It starts off with a brief description of the frame of reference of Informal relations in the practice of criminal law, and the definition of formal and informal structure of a group. Wood also describes informal patterns and gives a definition of a criminal lawyer. The author writes about how both criminal and civil lawyers partake in community and political activities. It is learned that although both criminal and civil lawyers partake in a wide range of community and political organizations, there are characteristic differences between them. Many criminal lawyers partake in political activities while civil lawyers usually are involved with community activities. Wood moves on to discuss lawyers’ relations with government officials. In the practice of criminal law, lawyers have an extraordinary dependence on government agencies. In civil law the lawyers do not depend on government agencies. It turns out that relationships between attorneys and government officials is beneficial for both parties. Lawyers have friendly relationships with the police, district attorney, and other government officials. Wood lets the reader know that not all criminal lawyers are involved with government officials, but most are. The author describes the systems of informal relations. In some cities criminal lawyers do not build relationships with government officials instead there are cliques of lawyers and the political machine. Lawyers form cliques with other members of the bar. Cliques aren’t very big the usually consist of 1-3 members. Cliques are beneficial to a lawyers practice. Cliques are essential for lawyers, especially solos. The maximum development of an informal system of relationships occurs in an area controlled by a political machine. Political machines are helpful for criminal lawyers. The author then talks about the institutional strains and informal relations. Wood says that the three situations of strain resulting in informal evasions of the formal system are the starting of a practice and the obtaining clients, the adversary system of justice, and the rendering of service. Wood goes into depth with these three situations and then he concludes his article. There were times in this article were the author seemed to stray away from his main point, but overall this very good article. This Article contained a lot of information on the practice of criminal law. The information in this article was very informative and now I know some of the things I need to do to become a successful criminal lawyer.
APA Bibliographies *LAWYER*
"Unbundled" Approach Would Help Poor. (2003, December). USA Today , pp. 17-17.
Appin, R. (1997, March 08). DNA--One Weapon Against Frameup or Mistaken Identity.
New York Mew Amsterdam News , pp. 18-18.
Hewit, B., Arias, R., Clark, C., Benet, L., Dodd, J., Harrington, M., et al. (2005, March 21). The Gloves Come Off. People , pp. 91-95.
Holmes, T. E., & Richardson, N. M. (2005, August). Blacks Underrepresented in Legal. Black Enterprise , pp. 38-38.
Ladinsky, J. (1963, February). Careers of Lawyers, Law Practice, and Legal Institutions. American Sociological Review , pp. 47-54.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2007, December 13). Quid pro quo and the Jena 6. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-13.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2008, June 26). White Prosecuters Destroying Black Life. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-40.
Murr, A., & Riccitello, R. (2004, June 14). A Question of Timing. Newsweek , pp. 8-8.
Shover, N. (1973, Decemer). The Civil Justice Process as Societal Reactions. Social Forces , pp. 253-258.
Wood, A. L. (1956, July). Informal Relations in the Practice of Criminal Law. The American Journal of Socialogy , pp. 48-55.
Appin, R. (1997, March 08). DNA--One Weapon Against Frameup or Mistaken Identity.
New York Mew Amsterdam News , pp. 18-18.
Hewit, B., Arias, R., Clark, C., Benet, L., Dodd, J., Harrington, M., et al. (2005, March 21). The Gloves Come Off. People , pp. 91-95.
Holmes, T. E., & Richardson, N. M. (2005, August). Blacks Underrepresented in Legal. Black Enterprise , pp. 38-38.
Ladinsky, J. (1963, February). Careers of Lawyers, Law Practice, and Legal Institutions. American Sociological Review , pp. 47-54.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2007, December 13). Quid pro quo and the Jena 6. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-13.
Maddox Jr., A. H. (2008, June 26). White Prosecuters Destroying Black Life. New York New Amsterdam News , pp. 12-40.
Murr, A., & Riccitello, R. (2004, June 14). A Question of Timing. Newsweek , pp. 8-8.
Shover, N. (1973, Decemer). The Civil Justice Process as Societal Reactions. Social Forces , pp. 253-258.
Wood, A. L. (1956, July). Informal Relations in the Practice of Criminal Law. The American Journal of Socialogy , pp. 48-55.
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