Tag Archives: race and social justice

Texas’ Enthusiasm for Capital Punishment Crosses a Line

BY JESSICA KERBEL – The execution of Scott Panetti, a man who has been suffering from severe schizophrenia for the past thirty years, is scheduled for December 3, 2014.1  In 1992, Panetti shot and killed his wife’s parents, then held his wife and daughter hostage in a cabin.2  He claims his alter ego “Sarge” is responsible for […]

Obama Administration Offers $9 million in Legal Aid to Represent Unaccompanied Minor Children

BY ELBY HERNANDEZ – The Obama administration recently offered $9 million in legal services to help represent unaccompanied minor children in deportation proceedings.1 This move comes after the administration placed these children in expedited deportation proceedings.2 These proceedings are placed on “rocket dockets”, which put the children’s cases on a fast-track to be quickly ruled on.3 About […]

Ray Rice Abuse Scandal Highlights Dangers of Celebrity Victim-Blaming

BY: JOSIE FARINELLI From dangerous concussions to questionable team names, the National Football League is no stranger to controversy.  Arguably, the least shocking news about Ray Rice’s assault case is the NFL’s mishandling of the situation.  The story is familiar to anyone who has turned on a TV over the past month: on February 19, […]

Ferguson Events Call for a Change in the Self-Defense Standard

BY MARK L. BALSOM – The recent events in Ferguson, Missouri have placed law enforcement policy at the forefront of national discussion. For the United States, a country that prides itself on significant equality improvement, it is clear that major policy improvements are needed. These changes must begin with the justice and law enforcement systems. […]