In 2017 Harvard Law School will enter its third century as an elite institution that educates the leaders of American law and policy. As always, this period of transition offers a risk and an opportunity. Will the law school continue to perpetuate systemic racism and inequality? Or will it choose to fulfill its mission to “educate leaders who contribute to the advancement of justice”?
Recent events suggest that there may be reason to be hopeful. The law school has convened a committee to decide whether to recommend that the crest of the law school be changed. Dean Minow has announced that a climate survey will investigate some matters of inclusion in the Spring. Yet these small concessions represent only very minor victories and are certainly incommensurate with the herculean efforts of students on campus who have demanded major systemic changes to the law school.
Thus the hope that these small efforts represent carries a significant amount of risk. There is the risk of diversion, or the possibility that we might be placated by the illusion of cosmetic change. There is the risk of a self-congratulatory attitude of fulfilling minor expectations. There is a risk that we may lose the momentum that many of us worked so hard to build over the last few months.
In order to prevent this sort of indolent backsliding, a shared and renewed commitment to a new law school is necessary. Royall Must Fall (RMF) and Reclaim Harvard Law have not been idle. RMF instigated a committee that will consider whether to recommend that the Harvard Corporation change the crest, and Reclaim drafted a comprehensive set of demands designed to address the structural racism currently permeating Harvard Law School. As these demands and the continued efforts of RMF and Reclaim demonstrate, this fight has never been just about the Harvard Law Shield. It is about systemic change to an institution designed by and for white males. It is about bringing this institution into its third century as a new and better place.
Sixty years ago the United States finally committed to a new beginning by changing some of its policies of hatred and violence against minorities. It finally chose to take its own constitution seriously. Now it is time for Harvard Law School to do the same with its mission. It is time to change the shield, time to support staff of color, time for Critical Race Theory, and time for Royall to fall. It is time for real, meaningful inclusion of the diverse marginalized peoples to whom this institution has at long last opened its doors. Changing the Royall shield is just the beginning – a new beginning for a new century at Harvard Law.