About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


17 S. J. Pol'y & Just. 39 (2023)
Using Positive Psychology Principles to Assist Black Students Succeed in Law School

handle is hein.journals/srebwsude17 and id is 43 raw text is: USING POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY PRINCIPLES TO ASSIST BLACK STUDENTS SUCCEED IN LAW SCHOOL JOSELINE JEAN-LOUIS HARDRICKI Introduction In its initial scene, the Shonda Rhimes-produced television show, How to Get Away with Murder has criminal defense attorney Annalise Keating entering a classroom full of eager law students. Keating, played by Viola Davis, who won an Emmy award for the role, is sharply dressed, perfectly coiffed, and confident as she approaches the chalkboard. In a commanding voice, she announces: Good morning. I don't know what terrible things you've all done up to this point in your lives, but clearly, your karma's out of balance to get assigned to my class. That said, here we all are. I'm Professor Annalise Keating, and this is Criminal Law 100. Or, as I prefer to call it... How to get away with murder.2 She delivers that last line after she picks up a red marker and writes on the board; the students all watch, twisting their necks to see the words until she finally finishes. She then turns to them as she reads the words aloud. Intense theme music plays in the background as she smiles mischievously. As a young Black woman attorney, watching this scene felt groundbreaking, extraordinary, and exciting. As a child, I saw no images like this depicting a Black woman as a criminal defense attorney. The only Black female lawyer I saw on TV (that I can recall) was Claire Huxtable. Then I saw the television shows Matlock and Perry Mason, and I was enthralled. They had great theme music, intense courtroom scenes, the literal smoking gun, and impeachment of witnesses. Those lawyers did compelling monologues and always got justice for their clients. I remember thinking that is what I want to do! Being in the courtroom questioning witnesses looked like so much fun. Despite the lack of representation in the media of Black attorneys, attorneys of other races, and even female attorneys, I still wanted to pursue a legal career. Like many Black law students, I am a first-generation lawyer in my family, was raised in poverty (at least measured by American standards), and attended underfunded and poor-performing schools. I relied heavily on mentors and pipeline programs to find my way into law school. 1 Assistant Professor of Criminal and Constitutional Law at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. 2 Pilot. How to Get Away with Murder, created by Peter Nowalk, episode 1, season 1, Shondaland, 2014. Clip available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=til9wywbPtA&t=5s 39