Antiracism Resources

Our Firm is saddened and angered by the killings of and violence against Black people by government authorities, as well as efforts to limit peaceful protest. In our legal practice, we fight against race discrimination in the workplace using the law, but these tragic events invite the law to do better now than in the past to provide justice and healing to those affected personally, and to our society as a whole.  What does it mean to do better? For our Firm, it means deepening our antiracism practice by working to recognize, name, and dismantle racism that we see around us, even when it may make us feel uncomfortable to do so.

We take this opportunity to share some of the many resources available to help us on this journey. These resources can deepen our understanding of the structural racism in American society, and help us to take steps as lawyers, and as human beings, to dismantle that structure:

• Being Antiracist, compiled by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture.
• Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, founded and run by Ibram X. Kendi, the author of “How to Be an Antiracist,” hosts a National Antiracist Book Festival, the list of participating authors is an invaluable resource.
• The 1619 Project, led by Nikole Hannah-Jones of the New York Times, created a foundational text to understand how our nation’s history of slavery impacts different facets of society now.
• Antiracist Reading Recommendations: Compiled by Loyalty Booksellers, and available for purchase through Bookshop, which supports independent bookstores.
• Toward a Racially Just Workplace, by Laura Morgan Roberts and Anthony J. Mayo in Harvard Business Review.
• Ancient Song Doula Services does extensive work to support Black mothers, including this convening for Black Maternal Health Week, which provides education on how racism impacts pregnant people.
• The New York City Commission on Human Rights is charged with the enforcement of the Human Rights Law, and educating the public, they have many resources regarding people’s rights not to be discriminated against, including the While Black in NYC: Protections Against Discrimination for Black New Yorkers campaign.
• Best Practices for Employers and Human Resources/EEO Professionals from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Fordham Law School’s Dean Matthew Diller made this poignant statement in response to current events, which resonates with us today:

“As lawyers, we have a special commitment to work toward the principle of equal justice under law – the principle that demands that African Americans are entitled to live safely and without fear; the principle that makes evident that New Yorkers should be able to enjoy the pleasures of Central Park without harassment or fear of arrest. The events of the last weeks reinforce that which is apparent in the string of injustices that continue to happen both here in New York and throughout our nation – much work needs to be done.”

In the weeks and months ahead, we look forward to deepening our knowledge and redoubling our efforts to advance the principle of equal justice under law, in the workplace and beyond.  Please join us in this important conversation.