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Law Professor Shuts Down ‘All Lives Matter’ With An Epic Response To Her Racist Students
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Law Professor Shuts Down ‘All Lives Matter’ With An Epic Response To Her Racist Students

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Never underestimate the wit of a good (law) professor. Especially when trying to outplay them on something they know the rules of all too well.

Back in 2016, the Whittier Law School professor named Patricia Leary was surprised by an unexpected letter of complaint from her students who berated her for wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt. She was scolded for making the students “subjected to indoctrination” and “extremely inflammatory” behavior when according to the letter, “to someone who is charged to teach criminal law, it should be abundantly clear that all lives matter.”

But the professor was more than glad to respond, point by point, ripping every single argument apart. In a series of her skillful refutes to the student’s premises, Prof. Leary demonstrated just how easy it is to debunk those weak arguments.

Prof. Leary issued an epic response ripping their arguments apart point after point

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The professor’s viral response to the students’ letter appeared on Imgur back on April 26, 2016. The Insider Higher Ed has identified the law professor as Patricia Leary, a veteran teacher with 20+ years of experience at Whittier Law School.

According to her biography, Prof. Leary is “a Distinguished Teaching Professor. She sees her life’s work as student-centered, both inside and outside of the classroom.”

It also states that she is “deeply committed to teaching students to think clearly and critically about law, to helping students to refine the art of legal reasoning and analysis,” and in what we’ve seen so far, she has clearly given us a masterclass of thinking in this.

And this is what people had to say

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jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a former competitive debater. Reading this is like porn for me. You go, professor Leary!

megantenbroeke avatar
Phunny Philosopher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, me too! But less like porn and more like a gourmet buffet. Finally, something to chew on! Nom nom nom. Am content now.

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ddw2945 avatar
Curry on...
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Bone Daddy - You stated the following, "the same thing has happened to many other people and we didn’t need tshirts or a movement to get it started." So are you saying that people should just shut up about police brutality? Also, have you not noticed that there are many races participating in the BLM protests? Maybe the other races have legitimate negative experiences with police and are, indeed, protesting. Then you commented below that you are black, yet you say "we" don't need t-shirts. Who's 'we?'

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That student letter, whenever written, proves only one thing: The fastest way to find a secretly racist person is to tell them another race *matters*. Any bets the author(s) would have said, "We're not racists BUT..." ?

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At no point did I specify the race. You have drawn your own conclusions on what I meant. The logic holds. The fact you dislike the logic speaks to your thought process, not mine. Peace.

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jacknimble_1 avatar
Jack Nimble
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"When people are receiving messages from the culture in which they live that their lives are less important than other lives, it is a cruel distortion of reality to scold them for not being inclusive enough." That's a great sentence.

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Nope, logically and grammatically flawed. "them" could refer to multiple different groups, changing the meaning radically. If applied to black Americans, then it makes no sense. It would be saying: "Black Americans are told they are worth less, and it's twisted to scold Black Americans 'for not being inclusive enough' ". This makes no logical sense, and grammatically poorly constructed. There is no prior reference to inclusion, making it a partial statement with no context. Big words don't give you a higher score. C-

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mphseti avatar
mph seti
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn, I wish lawyers like this ran for office. Instead of the lawyers we got...

bp_11 avatar
BonnyDoonUker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not too long ago a thoughtful, intelligent, well-written lawyer like that DID run for office, and was even elected to the highest office in the land.

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chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(1) “The statement you represented and endorsed is also highly offensive and extremely inflammatory… Furthermore, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ statement is racist…It is imperative that you utilize energy to actually teach law instead of continue to express hateful messages.” How is “Black Lives Matter” offensive, or extremely inflammatory, or hateful? And, I would be furious if I were a professor and students got too big for their britches and told me something is “imperative.” (2) “We are hopeful the new administration will rectify these abysmal failings and shortcomings.” In other words, these students are pushing for an infringement of Professor Leary’s First Amendment rights. (3) Southern California is large, and there are other law schools in the area. Perhaps these students should consider transferring to another law school.

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what makes her such a good teacher and such a fine person. I'm with you. I'd be furious too. She saw it as an opportunity to further educate her students and does so brilliantly. (I just wish we could see the apoplectic reaction of the person (I'm skeptical of there being more) who wrote the original letter.

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vizbones avatar
Ben Steinberg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would LOVE to take a class from the this professor. I bet it would be hard as hell but so WELL taught...

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminder to all who say that President Obama did not accomplished anything or too little: it is virtually impossible to do if the leader of the Senate announces that his only job will be to make sure that 'this president is the one-term president'. During the Obama administration the obstructionism was at its worth. Presidents do not make laws, the legislative branch of the government does....if both parties are able to co-operate that is.

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sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only ones offended by black lives matter are racist. That’s the only conclusion I can come up with

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could also be misguided people, though. But generally, yes, you're right.

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cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whomever submitted the complaint makes a lot of assumptions, including that THEY ARE VICTIMS, exhibited by their fear of signing the letter.

odettegreyling avatar
Odette Greyling
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was so satisfying to read. I've got chills! To see such skill, I love it and she is so many kinds of awesome.

rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you kidding me? I used to come to class with a T-Shirt that featured the crest of the Soviet Union on the front and a portion of the communist manifesto on the back. No complaints. It was 20 years ago though.

samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I own a tee shirt with chairman Mao as a cat and one with Lenin Marx and Engels partying on it and I have worn them to work in Russia. Students love them

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emilydixon_1 avatar
Emily D
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she can wear a BLM T-shirt, then a student can wear a MAGA hat. She has a right to wear that shirt because people have a right to have different opinions. (Of course, I’m not saying thinking that the lives of black people is just an opinion, but supporting the BLM movement is)

chancechase avatar
Chance Chase
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whittier Law School had some of the worst bar exam pass rates of ALL law schools in California... Professors like this with NO real world experience teaching lead to this closure. They were so bad they shut down their law program... Imagine being so bad at teaching that your students get a $150-200k debt, LESS than 25% pass the bar on first attempt and have a 40% chance of being unemployed... Real law schools have 1% unemployment rate and more than 70% of their students pass the bar on first attempt. www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/July2019-CBX-Statistics.pdf

mabsutak avatar
We Were On A Break!
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooooo long! But worth it. Prof has nerve of steel trying to educate respectfully after such a childish self entitled letter

ljamie04 avatar
Weishaar Jamie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent letter and response Prof Leary to an ignorant and racist attitude. You ate indeed a very accomplished educator.

melayahm avatar
Caroline Driver
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A most sophisticated BURRRRNN. Those students are still smoking and don't even know it.

origamichiken avatar
Origami Chik3n
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was take aback by the title. Then i read the post and could not find this "Shutting down of ‘All Lives Matter’". Only thing i saw was shutting down the statement that "Black lives matter" is racist.

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anonymous critics start out with low credibility. What are they so afraid of?

brucekunde avatar
Bruce Kunde
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to see the letter she writes when a student comes to class in a Trump or NRA shirt

loucat197 avatar
Mild Anxiety! At The Disco
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooo...wearing a shirt promoting Black Lives Matter, a movement aiming to stop the killing of innocent black people, is somehow equivalent to wearing a shirt promoting the very objects (guns) that are frequently used to kill these innocent black people? Sure, Bruce.

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chimesstreet avatar
Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Green is a color......think about it. Green is a color. Does this make you angry? Are you offended? Did you want to scream at me that blue is a color too? And purple is a color too? Did you feel that I was saying that green is the only color?

waihi avatar
My O My
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You only have to go to school for 3 years to be a lawyer???

joicain avatar
Yayaboobo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also Thomason Grace you could've saved some keystrokes by simply saying. "Fake news"

rweaver-boredpanda avatar
Johnny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She can probably run that letter through one of the plagiarism detectors services along with her class papers to figure out who wrote it.

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone stop to consider that maybe there was NO student letter? That the professor wrote and responded to it her own message for notoriety?

dcallaway5 avatar
Daniel Callaway
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems to me that if the Inventor of the phrase "Black Lives Matter, Too" would have included those last 3 letters. I doubt that's what he/she meant or anyone chanting this slogan afterwards.

nlitenall avatar
Melody Reid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The professor’s arguments have flaws. On the surface as a statement by itself, “Black Lives Matter” says that lives that are black matters. This includes, black cats, black sheep, black fish, black horses, black humans, etc. This does not discuss or reference other colors. She says this calls attention to black lives. Others say it excludes other colors. By calling attention to one color, you are automatically emphasizing one color over another, by having less emphasis on other colors.. A more inclusionary statement would be that all lives matter. This would include all living things of every color, without exclusion. She may understand law, but has failed at simple logic. She needs to be reprimanded.

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree on the logic, and used to agree on the "ALM" alternative, but then discovered something. There legitimately are white supremacists using "ALM" as their new slogan, and are trying to co-opt it for their use. I would therefore suggest a minor alteration: "Black lives matter too", or "Black lives also matter". It is extremely clear, leaves no room for confusion, and can't be used against anyone.

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shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wanting to believe someone's conclusion doesn't automatically make their logic correct. It stuns me the poor logic used by the professor in their response. While some of their points are relevant, they quickly drift to subjects unrelated to the student letter, and they get further from the letter the longer it goes on. This is referred to as "Pivot and Deflect" when intentional, and ADHD when not.

loucat197 avatar
Mild Anxiety! At The Disco
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the professor in question went on at length instead of teaching the course material, their complaint would be valid. That does not appear to be the case. That being said, the professor's attempt at logic is incredibly flawed. He makes large numbers of assumptions not supported by evidence, or relevant to the letter. The further he went, the further from the original letter he traveled. i.e. - there was no reference to words "before or after" Black Lives matter. Most of his comments were completely immaterial at hand. The only actual complaints were that (1), He spent time teaching non-class subject matter (appears to be invalid), and (2), that BLM protesters are criminals, and siding with them is siding against the law. This 2nd point is the one and only teaching moment he should have focused upon. TL;DR: Student points were invalid, and professor response was mostly irrelevant and proselytizing

kjl01 avatar
Karen Lyon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, since it seems to have escaped you that the law professor is a woman and therefore the proper pronoun is "she", you will have to excuse me if I am skeptical about your argument.

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nestorhernandez avatar
Nestor Hernandez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a person who appreciates, desires, and lives her life teaching others how to communicate clearly, she should’ve anticipated the potential misconstruing of her message and added , “too.” That would’ve stopped whoever wrote the letter in their tracks. But I wonder how she would've respond to a letter that stated “adding ‘,too’ to Black Lives Matter minimizes the reality and struggle of Black people and you shouldn’t wear the shirt in class.”

nestorhernandez avatar
Nestor Hernandez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a person who clearly appreciates, desires, and lives her life teaching others how to communicate, she should’ve anticipated the potential misconstruing of her message and added , “too.” That would’ve stopped whoever wrote the letter in their tracks. But I wonder how she would respond to a letter that stated “adding ‘,too’ to Black Lives Matter minimizes the reality and struggle of Black people and you shouldn’t wear it.” Interesting thought.

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I adore (good) lawyers. Intelligence, is so hot.

iapetosdertitan avatar
shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All lives matter, therefore the golden state killer's life matters. If your logic is valid, then this statement is true, as it uses the exact same logic and language.

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rein_asher avatar
Rein Asher
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Law people think they’re so smart, argue all the time, have so much pride. That puts me off going into that field. It’s all about “I’m smarter than you”. It’s a spiritual fight of the egoes with these people, every single second of the day. If someone feels the need to correct you, say you’re wrong and give their version of the law, while sounding articulate and polished, it’s probably a law graduate. It’s all about the mental domination. If they took a good look at themselves in the mirror, they’d realize how dumb they actually are, getting riled up over a bruised ego

mssusanmarie2013 avatar
Susan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're making a mistake by joining those who admire not only ignorance, but outright stupidity. Our society can't support too many more of those. Turn back. Think.

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aidyshaw23 avatar
Aidy Shaw
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The read on more black makes are in prison is a combination of economic factors and the fact that the police target black makes more, and they receive far harsher sentences, but, you know, be racist, about it.

danielchaseberwick avatar
Kate
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Law Professor *and* local high school gym teacher...

peterkelly_1 avatar
Peter Kelly
Community Member
3 years ago

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The response by the Professor is insightful and intelligent. However, in relation to one of the important points, she is missing the most important consideration. Those who say, 'All lives matter!' are not necessarily suggesting that Black Lives Matter is inherently racist and excluding white people. Rather, to try to resolve the major conflicts and evil that exist by fixating on a particular aspect is doomed to failure. Recognise evil and evil acts and punish those perpetrators, irrespective of colour.

jolynnk85 avatar
Just JoLynn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If that happened then Black Lives Matter would have never been created. When people say all lives matter in response to black lives matter they are trying to sweep the issues under the rug by saying we all have problems.

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truthmonster00 avatar
olivier_caissy avatar
johnclark1842 avatar
John Clark1842
Community Member
3 years ago

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Look at where most law school graduates go. Look at how must appear to live (Mark and Patricia McCloskey ). They are not interested in justice. They want to live the big life. Look at the cost of law school. Look at the salaries of law school professors. It most certainly is a business and the customers are the students.

troux avatar
Troux
Community Member
3 years ago

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"Prof. Leary demonstrated just how easy it is to debunk those weak arguments." Yeah really easy, all it took was a professor of law.

samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or anyone trained to formulate a coherent argument like Pamela24, a former debater. Meaning middle and high school kids can do it too

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hunnreich avatar
T.Milly
Community Member
3 years ago

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Something about this situation seems contrived. I find it hard to believe that law students would write something so inflammatory and expect it to pass without being challenged. The letter seems to have been written by someone who knows absolutely nothing about the law & is not interested in learning about it either, which makes me question why a group of law students would supposedly back it in the first place. I really find it hard to believe that a group of baby lawyers would question the 1st amendment. It wouldn't surprise me if the professor made the whole thing up for attention.

joicain avatar
Yayaboobo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, people are actually THAT clueless when it comes to their myopic rhetoric they rarely think roundly in their outlook on life which lands them right here: called out on their thinly veiled, perhaps racist mindset.

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katie-trondsen avatar
KT
Community Member
3 years ago

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Perhaps its better if nothing political is worn while at your place of profession to prevent arguments in the first place. While it is a place of learning, it's also supposed to be a neutral place.

jolynnk85 avatar
Just JoLynn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm speculating here but I'm guessing you haven't been on a college campus in a long time, they are not neutral zones. Universities and college campuses are meant to expand your mind and question things in a critical manner and that's just on the educational side. Before quarantine happened my campus had anti-abortion protestors that had a 30 foot display of aborted fetuses in the middle of campus, that is definitely not neutral and is just one example I've seen in the years I've been in school.

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phoebelots avatar
Thomasin Grace
Community Member
3 years ago

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How could anyone support a terrorist group that randomly attacks, burns, destroys innocent businesses including those owned by black people. BLK does not “protest” they are an organized money laundering terrorism cult hell bent on destroying everything in their path. Why not promote the teachings of Martin Luther King, a real hero, instead of a bunch of thugs. Racism against blacks is certainly is not as bad as before the civil rights movement. No one seems to recall the civil rights bill, the one passed by republicans and protested by democrats. Martin Luther King, a true hero, I would be appalled by BLM.

joicain avatar
Yayaboobo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're so obviously not black. We earn 90% less than whites as a group. Most of society's ill are visited upon us in disproportionate numbers...ah hell you don't care.

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jitka-zachova avatar
Pamela24
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am a former competitive debater. Reading this is like porn for me. You go, professor Leary!

megantenbroeke avatar
Phunny Philosopher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Haha, me too! But less like porn and more like a gourmet buffet. Finally, something to chew on! Nom nom nom. Am content now.

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ddw2945 avatar
Curry on...
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Bone Daddy - You stated the following, "the same thing has happened to many other people and we didn’t need tshirts or a movement to get it started." So are you saying that people should just shut up about police brutality? Also, have you not noticed that there are many races participating in the BLM protests? Maybe the other races have legitimate negative experiences with police and are, indeed, protesting. Then you commented below that you are black, yet you say "we" don't need t-shirts. Who's 'we?'

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That student letter, whenever written, proves only one thing: The fastest way to find a secretly racist person is to tell them another race *matters*. Any bets the author(s) would have said, "We're not racists BUT..." ?

leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At no point did I specify the race. You have drawn your own conclusions on what I meant. The logic holds. The fact you dislike the logic speaks to your thought process, not mine. Peace.

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jacknimble_1 avatar
Jack Nimble
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"When people are receiving messages from the culture in which they live that their lives are less important than other lives, it is a cruel distortion of reality to scold them for not being inclusive enough." That's a great sentence.

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Nope, logically and grammatically flawed. "them" could refer to multiple different groups, changing the meaning radically. If applied to black Americans, then it makes no sense. It would be saying: "Black Americans are told they are worth less, and it's twisted to scold Black Americans 'for not being inclusive enough' ". This makes no logical sense, and grammatically poorly constructed. There is no prior reference to inclusion, making it a partial statement with no context. Big words don't give you a higher score. C-

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mphseti avatar
mph seti
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn, I wish lawyers like this ran for office. Instead of the lawyers we got...

bp_11 avatar
BonnyDoonUker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not too long ago a thoughtful, intelligent, well-written lawyer like that DID run for office, and was even elected to the highest office in the land.

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chrisdifonso avatar
Chris DiFonso
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(1) “The statement you represented and endorsed is also highly offensive and extremely inflammatory… Furthermore, the ‘Black Lives Matter’ statement is racist…It is imperative that you utilize energy to actually teach law instead of continue to express hateful messages.” How is “Black Lives Matter” offensive, or extremely inflammatory, or hateful? And, I would be furious if I were a professor and students got too big for their britches and told me something is “imperative.” (2) “We are hopeful the new administration will rectify these abysmal failings and shortcomings.” In other words, these students are pushing for an infringement of Professor Leary’s First Amendment rights. (3) Southern California is large, and there are other law schools in the area. Perhaps these students should consider transferring to another law school.

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what makes her such a good teacher and such a fine person. I'm with you. I'd be furious too. She saw it as an opportunity to further educate her students and does so brilliantly. (I just wish we could see the apoplectic reaction of the person (I'm skeptical of there being more) who wrote the original letter.

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vizbones avatar
Ben Steinberg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would LOVE to take a class from the this professor. I bet it would be hard as hell but so WELL taught...

cjucz22 avatar
Christina Uhlir
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminder to all who say that President Obama did not accomplished anything or too little: it is virtually impossible to do if the leader of the Senate announces that his only job will be to make sure that 'this president is the one-term president'. During the Obama administration the obstructionism was at its worth. Presidents do not make laws, the legislative branch of the government does....if both parties are able to co-operate that is.

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sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only ones offended by black lives matter are racist. That’s the only conclusion I can come up with

dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Could also be misguided people, though. But generally, yes, you're right.

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cruzarts avatar
Steve Cruz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whomever submitted the complaint makes a lot of assumptions, including that THEY ARE VICTIMS, exhibited by their fear of signing the letter.

odettegreyling avatar
Odette Greyling
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was so satisfying to read. I've got chills! To see such skill, I love it and she is so many kinds of awesome.

rayceeyarayceeya avatar
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you kidding me? I used to come to class with a T-Shirt that featured the crest of the Soviet Union on the front and a portion of the communist manifesto on the back. No complaints. It was 20 years ago though.

samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I own a tee shirt with chairman Mao as a cat and one with Lenin Marx and Engels partying on it and I have worn them to work in Russia. Students love them

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emilydixon_1 avatar
Emily D
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she can wear a BLM T-shirt, then a student can wear a MAGA hat. She has a right to wear that shirt because people have a right to have different opinions. (Of course, I’m not saying thinking that the lives of black people is just an opinion, but supporting the BLM movement is)

chancechase avatar
Chance Chase
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whittier Law School had some of the worst bar exam pass rates of ALL law schools in California... Professors like this with NO real world experience teaching lead to this closure. They were so bad they shut down their law program... Imagine being so bad at teaching that your students get a $150-200k debt, LESS than 25% pass the bar on first attempt and have a 40% chance of being unemployed... Real law schools have 1% unemployment rate and more than 70% of their students pass the bar on first attempt. www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/July2019-CBX-Statistics.pdf

mabsutak avatar
We Were On A Break!
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooooo long! But worth it. Prof has nerve of steel trying to educate respectfully after such a childish self entitled letter

ljamie04 avatar
Weishaar Jamie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excellent letter and response Prof Leary to an ignorant and racist attitude. You ate indeed a very accomplished educator.

melayahm avatar
Caroline Driver
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A most sophisticated BURRRRNN. Those students are still smoking and don't even know it.

origamichiken avatar
Origami Chik3n
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was take aback by the title. Then i read the post and could not find this "Shutting down of ‘All Lives Matter’". Only thing i saw was shutting down the statement that "Black lives matter" is racist.

lynnnoyes avatar
elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anonymous critics start out with low credibility. What are they so afraid of?

brucekunde avatar
Bruce Kunde
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would like to see the letter she writes when a student comes to class in a Trump or NRA shirt

loucat197 avatar
Mild Anxiety! At The Disco
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sooo...wearing a shirt promoting Black Lives Matter, a movement aiming to stop the killing of innocent black people, is somehow equivalent to wearing a shirt promoting the very objects (guns) that are frequently used to kill these innocent black people? Sure, Bruce.

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Tabitha L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Green is a color......think about it. Green is a color. Does this make you angry? Are you offended? Did you want to scream at me that blue is a color too? And purple is a color too? Did you feel that I was saying that green is the only color?

waihi avatar
My O My
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You only have to go to school for 3 years to be a lawyer???

joicain avatar
Yayaboobo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also Thomason Grace you could've saved some keystrokes by simply saying. "Fake news"

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Johnny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She can probably run that letter through one of the plagiarism detectors services along with her class papers to figure out who wrote it.

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Did anyone stop to consider that maybe there was NO student letter? That the professor wrote and responded to it her own message for notoriety?

dcallaway5 avatar
Daniel Callaway
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems to me that if the Inventor of the phrase "Black Lives Matter, Too" would have included those last 3 letters. I doubt that's what he/she meant or anyone chanting this slogan afterwards.

nlitenall avatar
Melody Reid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The professor’s arguments have flaws. On the surface as a statement by itself, “Black Lives Matter” says that lives that are black matters. This includes, black cats, black sheep, black fish, black horses, black humans, etc. This does not discuss or reference other colors. She says this calls attention to black lives. Others say it excludes other colors. By calling attention to one color, you are automatically emphasizing one color over another, by having less emphasis on other colors.. A more inclusionary statement would be that all lives matter. This would include all living things of every color, without exclusion. She may understand law, but has failed at simple logic. She needs to be reprimanded.

shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Agree on the logic, and used to agree on the "ALM" alternative, but then discovered something. There legitimately are white supremacists using "ALM" as their new slogan, and are trying to co-opt it for their use. I would therefore suggest a minor alteration: "Black lives matter too", or "Black lives also matter". It is extremely clear, leaves no room for confusion, and can't be used against anyone.

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shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wanting to believe someone's conclusion doesn't automatically make their logic correct. It stuns me the poor logic used by the professor in their response. While some of their points are relevant, they quickly drift to subjects unrelated to the student letter, and they get further from the letter the longer it goes on. This is referred to as "Pivot and Deflect" when intentional, and ADHD when not.

loucat197 avatar
Mild Anxiety! At The Disco
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the professor in question went on at length instead of teaching the course material, their complaint would be valid. That does not appear to be the case. That being said, the professor's attempt at logic is incredibly flawed. He makes large numbers of assumptions not supported by evidence, or relevant to the letter. The further he went, the further from the original letter he traveled. i.e. - there was no reference to words "before or after" Black Lives matter. Most of his comments were completely immaterial at hand. The only actual complaints were that (1), He spent time teaching non-class subject matter (appears to be invalid), and (2), that BLM protesters are criminals, and siding with them is siding against the law. This 2nd point is the one and only teaching moment he should have focused upon. TL;DR: Student points were invalid, and professor response was mostly irrelevant and proselytizing

kjl01 avatar
Karen Lyon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, since it seems to have escaped you that the law professor is a woman and therefore the proper pronoun is "she", you will have to excuse me if I am skeptical about your argument.

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nestorhernandez avatar
Nestor Hernandez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a person who appreciates, desires, and lives her life teaching others how to communicate clearly, she should’ve anticipated the potential misconstruing of her message and added , “too.” That would’ve stopped whoever wrote the letter in their tracks. But I wonder how she would've respond to a letter that stated “adding ‘,too’ to Black Lives Matter minimizes the reality and struggle of Black people and you shouldn’t wear the shirt in class.”

nestorhernandez avatar
Nestor Hernandez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a person who clearly appreciates, desires, and lives her life teaching others how to communicate, she should’ve anticipated the potential misconstruing of her message and added , “too.” That would’ve stopped whoever wrote the letter in their tracks. But I wonder how she would respond to a letter that stated “adding ‘,too’ to Black Lives Matter minimizes the reality and struggle of Black people and you shouldn’t wear it.” Interesting thought.

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I adore (good) lawyers. Intelligence, is so hot.

iapetosdertitan avatar
shead26 avatar
Steve
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All lives matter, therefore the golden state killer's life matters. If your logic is valid, then this statement is true, as it uses the exact same logic and language.

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Rein Asher
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Law people think they’re so smart, argue all the time, have so much pride. That puts me off going into that field. It’s all about “I’m smarter than you”. It’s a spiritual fight of the egoes with these people, every single second of the day. If someone feels the need to correct you, say you’re wrong and give their version of the law, while sounding articulate and polished, it’s probably a law graduate. It’s all about the mental domination. If they took a good look at themselves in the mirror, they’d realize how dumb they actually are, getting riled up over a bruised ego

mssusanmarie2013 avatar
Susan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're making a mistake by joining those who admire not only ignorance, but outright stupidity. Our society can't support too many more of those. Turn back. Think.

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aidyshaw23 avatar
Aidy Shaw
Community Member
3 years ago

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The read on more black makes are in prison is a combination of economic factors and the fact that the police target black makes more, and they receive far harsher sentences, but, you know, be racist, about it.

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Kate
Community Member
3 years ago

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Law Professor *and* local high school gym teacher...

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Peter Kelly
Community Member
3 years ago

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The response by the Professor is insightful and intelligent. However, in relation to one of the important points, she is missing the most important consideration. Those who say, 'All lives matter!' are not necessarily suggesting that Black Lives Matter is inherently racist and excluding white people. Rather, to try to resolve the major conflicts and evil that exist by fixating on a particular aspect is doomed to failure. Recognise evil and evil acts and punish those perpetrators, irrespective of colour.

jolynnk85 avatar
Just JoLynn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If that happened then Black Lives Matter would have never been created. When people say all lives matter in response to black lives matter they are trying to sweep the issues under the rug by saying we all have problems.

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truthmonster00 avatar
olivier_caissy avatar
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John Clark1842
Community Member
3 years ago

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Look at where most law school graduates go. Look at how must appear to live (Mark and Patricia McCloskey ). They are not interested in justice. They want to live the big life. Look at the cost of law school. Look at the salaries of law school professors. It most certainly is a business and the customers are the students.

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Troux
Community Member
3 years ago

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"Prof. Leary demonstrated just how easy it is to debunk those weak arguments." Yeah really easy, all it took was a professor of law.

samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or anyone trained to formulate a coherent argument like Pamela24, a former debater. Meaning middle and high school kids can do it too

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T.Milly
Community Member
3 years ago

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Something about this situation seems contrived. I find it hard to believe that law students would write something so inflammatory and expect it to pass without being challenged. The letter seems to have been written by someone who knows absolutely nothing about the law & is not interested in learning about it either, which makes me question why a group of law students would supposedly back it in the first place. I really find it hard to believe that a group of baby lawyers would question the 1st amendment. It wouldn't surprise me if the professor made the whole thing up for attention.

joicain avatar
Yayaboobo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, people are actually THAT clueless when it comes to their myopic rhetoric they rarely think roundly in their outlook on life which lands them right here: called out on their thinly veiled, perhaps racist mindset.

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KT
Community Member
3 years ago

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Perhaps its better if nothing political is worn while at your place of profession to prevent arguments in the first place. While it is a place of learning, it's also supposed to be a neutral place.

jolynnk85 avatar
Just JoLynn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm speculating here but I'm guessing you haven't been on a college campus in a long time, they are not neutral zones. Universities and college campuses are meant to expand your mind and question things in a critical manner and that's just on the educational side. Before quarantine happened my campus had anti-abortion protestors that had a 30 foot display of aborted fetuses in the middle of campus, that is definitely not neutral and is just one example I've seen in the years I've been in school.

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Thomasin Grace
Community Member
3 years ago

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How could anyone support a terrorist group that randomly attacks, burns, destroys innocent businesses including those owned by black people. BLK does not “protest” they are an organized money laundering terrorism cult hell bent on destroying everything in their path. Why not promote the teachings of Martin Luther King, a real hero, instead of a bunch of thugs. Racism against blacks is certainly is not as bad as before the civil rights movement. No one seems to recall the civil rights bill, the one passed by republicans and protested by democrats. Martin Luther King, a true hero, I would be appalled by BLM.

joicain avatar
Yayaboobo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're so obviously not black. We earn 90% less than whites as a group. Most of society's ill are visited upon us in disproportionate numbers...ah hell you don't care.

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