CBA Record November 2018

CLE’s on the manifestation of discrimina- tion in our profession. Less than 5% of all American attorneys are Black. Disability does not equal unqualified, yet disabled people are the number one unemployed group in America. Professor Norwood addressed the dispar- ity of education in our country. Not just in what is learned, but where children learn. In some schools located in poor communities, the condition are horrific. Some schools are unclean, contain no books, have rats, and even lack basic light- ing. She provided photographs of schools with mushrooms and mold growing from the walls, rusting rotting pipes exposed in bathrooms, and discussed schools without adequate heat or air conditioning–all conditions that curtail a child’s ability to learn. The professor discussed the issue of underfunded predominately black schools just passing students, without regard for absorption of material, including providing students with high school diplomas that are unable to read above a third grade level. But even in good schools, the uncon- scious bias creates a systemic racism issue. For example, a school in Ohio issues sus- pensions for wearing Afro puffs, a style that, in straight hair, is acceptable. That same school also prohibited hair stylings that are common among black students because of the natural way their hair grows. The Unconscious Racial Bias of the Criminal Justice System The school to prison pipeline is real. Panel- ist Maryam Ahmad (Chief of the Juvenile Justice Bureau for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office) discussed the results of the American Psychological Association 2014 study indicating that law enforcement frequently miscategorizes black 13 year olds as adults. Prof. Norwood suggested improv- ing the hiring process and better training may mitigate this, as well as other policing issues. Officers also need more involvement in communities they patrol, allowing them to effectively serve. Police need to get out of their cars, walk the streets, know and befriend the community members, creat- The Disparity of Education Among Americans

AAA MEMBERSHIP AND DISCOUNTS CBA members now can save 20% on AAA memberships and you may be able to qualify for additional discounts on your home and auto policies. If you are already a AAA member, you will receive the

discount upon renewal. For more information, call Debra Wiese 217/398-3621 ext.514, or email at djwiese@aaachicago.com. Or, fax the CBAMember Form to 217/398-0170. Please be sure tomention that you are a member of Chicago Bar Association to receive your discount.

ing the tools necessary to approach the community effectively and with respect. Tragedies like Ferguson create deep seated generational mistrust of police officers; time and patience is needed to rebuild the trust and police officers willing to put in the time and effort doing it are required. Prof. Norwood discussed a Stanford study, finding that the darker one’s skin, the wider one’s nose, and the kinkier one’s hair (the more “black” someone looks) increases the risk of being stopped and frisked, arrested, and convicted. A simple example of this is how recreational drug use is equally widespread among white Americans and black Americans, but arrests and incarcerations for nonviolent drug offenses are substantially greater for black populations. Rules are different for black people than for white people. But this is not just a policing issue. Sta- tistically, sentencing for black defendants is harsher than for white defendants, an issue that should be especially concerning to the Bar. Black children are much more likely than white children to be tried as adults. The implications of this are profound, both for the individual and the community. Prompted by Panelist Adam Sheppard (a criminal lawyer with Sheppard Law Firm P.C.) Professor Norwood recom- mends every court use the ABA resolu- tion on implicit bias jury instruction. Currently, the instructions are used when race is relevant; however, in light of the issues with unconscious bias, those jury instructions are not used enough. What Can Be Done Do To Address These Fault Lines? Panelist and CBA President Steven Elrod (Holland & Knight) expressed the zeit-

Important Dues Billing Reminders

geist of the audience; we were enraged, engaged, and provoked. He called upon us to act individually and collectively and spoke of future series and programs to come to investigate and create solutions to this systemic issue. Change cannot happen without dialogue; change cannot happen without a changing of hearts. If you have any questions regarding your dues state- ment, email billing@chicagobar.org or call 312/554- 2020. CBAmembership is animportantinvestmentin yourprofessionalandpersonalgrowth.Weencourage you to renew, thank you for your support and look forward to serving you in the new bar year. –Annual Dues. In our ongoing effort to reduce administrative expenses and keep dues at the current level, the CBA has an annual billing cycle. –Dues Auto Pay. Spread your dues payments throughout the year by signing up for the Dues Auto Pay Plan which allows you to pay your dues automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis at no extra cost via automatic credit/ debit card charges. –Reduced Dues for Financial Hardships. Unem- ployed members and those with financial hardships may request our reduced annual dues rate of $50. –eStatement. Receive your CBA bills by email only and save time, postage and the environment. –BillingStatement. TheCBA’sstatementallowsyou to choose any or all of the above options and add in yourownlevelofcontributionstotheBarFoundation/ Legal Aid Fund and the CBA Building Fund.

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