Why do I want to go to law school after I finish my Master's?

To many going to graduate school to obtain a Master's degree is the ultimate finality to a lifetime of educational and scholastic achievement. However, to me it's only a much needed detour to my ultimate educational destination, which of course is to obtain a Juris Doctor's degree. Growing up in Hampton Roads, VA to many, would have seemed like torture having not only to endure impoverished working class minority communities, ravished by crime, drugs, gang activity, and every obstacle one could forsee from stopping a young African-American male from ceizing the opportunity to succeed. For many years growing up for me was torture. Finding solace in my scholastic ambitions, forced me not only to come to terms with my social class but also with my race, gender and sexuality, and inherent desire to succeed despite them all. I believe this coupled with a strong family support system in the form of my parents and select teachers were some of the reasons that I did in fact manage to successfully graduate from high school with honors and go on to graduate from the University of California, Merced as a member of the inaugural graduating class.

However, for me being the first in my immediate family to graduate from a college or university was not nearly enough to satisfy my thirst for learning and my intellectual curiosity. I decided in my final year of my undergraduate education that I would forego applying to law school and instead apply to graduate programs in African-American Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Policy Policy and Administration. My intense interest in the political system and in how it relates to minority communities of color and especially African-Americans fueling my desire to further investigate and study race and public policy issues at the graduate level. After being accepted to every graduate program I applied to, I chose UCLA's graduate program in African-American Studies, a fitting choice considering my research and extracurricular background.

However, the purpose of this blog is to frame this in a way as to demonstrate why after all of this I am still committed to furthering my education by attending law school. Although there is much work to be done at the public policy level, work that I firmly intend on participating in as well, I believe law is the means to accomplish all ends. It is through the law that public policy can exist. It is my hope that through attending law school and excelling in my legal endeavors that my world and my understanding of the law can be opened to the possibilities that the legal profession can present. I hope that through joining the legal community not only will I help to continue to diversify a growing and dynamic segment of our society but will also work to actively and fruitly contribute to the spectacular work that is being done throughout the spectrum of the legal profession. Although my hope would be to specialize in critical race, civil rights, employment discrimination, human rights, corporate, government areas of the law, I know that throughout my career in the legal profession I will undoubtedly work in a variety of aspects of the law in both the public and private sector and am more than amenable to this.

Growing up in a socio-economically disadvantaged, single-parent household as an African-American male in Portsmouth, Virginia brought about extreme challenges and experiences that have fundamentally shaped the man that I have become today. It is these experiences as well as countless others that have enabled me to contribute to society and will continue to enable me to strive for success in my academic and professional career. Most of my memories of my childhood are of a constant struggle to survive, not only financially, but also socially, emotionally, and occasionally even physically. Nevertheless, from an early age I made it my life-long goal to achieve greatness and to make something of myself, to defeat all of the odds that were stacked against me. Life in Virginia for me meant being constantly judged by the color of my skin, being followed in stores, broken homes and broken promises, and even homelessness. It has also meant being told that the person I saw in the mirror would never amount to anything because I was a black man in a society that did not value blackness. Despite the circumstances that characterized my tumultuous childhood I was fortunate to have had key individuals in my life that believed in my intellectual and academic potential and motivated me to strive for greatness. In addition to my mother and father I have been fortunate to have consistently come into contact with teachers, tutors, mentors, peers, friends, and supportive people who have been pivotal in my life, especially at my darkest moments. It is because of this incredible support system that I have been able to defy the odds, shatter the barriers, and break the chains to become the strong Black man that I am today. This has been my most passionate source of inspiration to rise above my circumstances and become an attorney to help to fight the inequalities that exist within our legal system and work to make our society more just.

Due to my parents’ vigilant efforts to instill in me a sense of appreciation for my culture and heritage, I quickly became conscious of marginalization, segregation, and the social, political, and economic inequalities in America and developed an intense interest and appreciation for my ethnic identity, which led to my graduate work in African-American Studies at UCLA. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate career I have strived to work hands-on to bring the African-American community, the legal community, and local, state, and federal government closer together to solve the disparities that continue to plague the African-American community due to the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow segregation. Despite tremendous gains that have been made due to key pieces of civil rights legislation, even today segregation, institutional racism, discrimination, and systematic inequalities still seriously threaten American society and disproportionately put African Americans at a disadvantage politically, economically, and socially.

Additionally, until we change our ideologies as well as our policies about these issues, I am under the belief that we will never be able to fundamentally address these disparities and truly solve the issues facing the African-American community. Coupled with my interest in race and public policy I have strived to utilize my interest in the law as a means to effect social change and as a source of inspiration in pursuing opportunities to learn more about the law and how it relates to public policy and government. This has presented incredible learning experiences for me working with the U.S. Model House of Representatives, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the District Attorney’s Office, Equality California’s Campaign to Overturn Prop 8, on the Obama for America Campaign, and in the Office of a State Senator. (Elaborate on one most recent specific issue) The underlying catalyst for all of these experiences being my sincere desire to work diligently and strategically to achieve equal justice and civil rights for all people. It is my intention that through being admitted to law school I will not only solidify my academic and professional background through becoming an attorney, but also position myself to begin a career in the public and private sector that will help to rectify many of these historical and contemporary issues that not only affect the African-American community but all communities of color, as well as other socially and disadvantaged communities across the country and around the world.

Through my admission and matriculation to law school I hope to utilize my legal education to become a much-needed resource to Black America, which I believe has suffered from inequality and injustice, specifically with regards to criminal, social, and economic justice, for far too long. Utilizing my graduate work as a theoretical framework to understand race and how it affects American society I hope to give back to a community that gave me so much. After finishing this program I hope to work in civil rights law in either the public or private sector in preparation for a career as a public servant working diligently to address critical public policy issues facing our great nation. Law school will not only allow me to grow intellectually, but it will also provide me with the chance to have my voice heard and to encourage, motivate, and inspire countless other individuals. My story is a quintessential American story that exemplifies the notion that regardless of race, class, or social status anything is possible with determination, drive, belief in self, and morality. Having experienced multiple angles of the effects of educational, social, and economic disadvantages in my own personal experience, and witnessing the linguistic disadvantages that occur as a result of immigrating to the United States through my family experiences, I am convinced that I would provide a much-needed addition to the legal community.

To be continued...

God has the power to show you who's God!

God is so good all the time, and all the time God is good. Be encouraged! There is nothing that you can't give to God that he can't solve. I've been in Sacramento for about 4 days and already God is already working wonders in my life. Keep in mind that this a city that I have never lived in and one in which I know only a handful of people. It is the state capitol and about two hours north of Merced, where I have been living for the past 4 years and also about 2 hours east of the San Francisco Bay Area, where my aunt and uncle live with my cousins. So although I've been to the capitol to visit, on several occasions, I have never actually been here for any extended period of time.



Nevertheless, after graduation I was a little concerned. I wouldn't say I was worried, but I was a little discombobulated because I had planned to received at least $1000 in graduation money and also to work at UCM in Campus Tours until my summer internship started. So when that didn't work out not only was I looking STUPID, but I was also wondering how I would be able to pay my bills and get by until I began my internship. So by the grace of God, I scraped by, all throughout the month of May and half of June, with my little bit of savings and with the help of my Dad and Uncle whom I love sooo much! And so after scraping by May and June, I was seriously in debt and behind on many bills when I moved into my new apartment for the summer, in Sacramento.



So when I came to Sac I was already at a a negative and wondering how I would pay for my internship fees, luxury apartment, bills, and various living expenses. All the while, I was doing my best to stay positive, be optimistic, make phone calls, and work my magic. When you meet God half way you can't fail. You have to always remember to plan ahead because when you plan to fail you fail to plan AND of course me being the organized, thoughtful, forward looking man that I am, I have been planning for this summer since February, when I had got back from DC. So I was putting things into motion all year for this summer so that I wouldn't be looking like BOO BOO the FOOL! LOL! But nevertheless things weren't working out as I had hoped and my internship advisor had informed me that my payment for the program was due and that if I wasn't going to be able to pay then I might have to drop out of the program.



So he asked me to compose a letter (which I did, in a matter of 2 hours) and send it to him explaining in detail what's going on. Beloved when you do what God has called you to do then there is no way you can fail. God did not lift you up to let you down. Thank you God for seeing me through and giving me the wherewithal, know how, and energy to go forth as ye have called. I know that I serve an awesome God who has blessed me infinitely! So I composed the letter, sent it through and he told me that he would forward it to the appropriate individuals and make some phone calls. That night I took to some serious prayer and was connecting with the universe in ways that I never knew that I could. My spirit was in tuned with a higher power and I was focused on a positive outcome which was me getting what I wanted, being able to pay for my various expenses, live comfortably, and garner this summer experience for all that it is worth. Beloved I tell you no sooner then I had given it to God my advisor was calling me in the office to discuss my status.



Now I didn't know what he was going to say. Part of me was ready to pack my bags at a moments notice! lol! But when you are working for the Lord on His mission, He will make a way out of no way! My advisor informed me that he had taken care of the situation, that everything would be paid for, and that I needn't worry because I was going to have a great summer and learn more than I could imagine and I got so excited I nearly jumped out of my skin. I was ecstatic! The power of the Lord just rushed through my body and I was jittery and running all over the place. I simply just couldn't believe that God had worked out that situation that fast! The presence of God was just all around me and it felt magnificent.



Now the reason I wanted to share this with you is because I know a lot of people right now are going through some tough situations. This recession has got everyone down and programs and services are getting cut left and right. People are losing jobs, homes, cars, and everything else. Businesses are closing down, sales are going down, and it seems really dismal. But I want you to know that everything happens for a season and that God is the one in control. He has allowed all of this to happen for a reason and a purpose and it is so divine that we could not began to imagine what He has in store for us. I want you all to know that I serve a mighty God who knows everything in the universe and who is perfect. If you believe in Him and what He can do then He will work wonders in your life. I know that no recession is to bad for God to fix. No job is out of His reach. There is nothing that He can't fix, heal, or repair. And they that trust in God shall be like Mount Zion, they will not be moved and not be afraid. I will not be moved by what man has done and I refuse to be afraid for the future. God is still in control of my life and He has a purpose for me. I am trusting in the Lord and I know that he will fulfill my destiny. There is no name as sweet as Jesus!

Sincerely,

RKNJ

Rodney K. Nickens Jr.
Love, Hope, and Peace

A New Beginning

It is the beginning of Summer 2009 and as summer and winter breaks are often the best times for me to post my thoughts to this blog I have a few thoughts that I would like to share. A lot has been going on in my life and I have been keeping a lot on my chest and as is often said by those who are much wiser than I am, it is not healthy to keep to much on your chest. It is my sincerest hope that in my sharing the events and experiences going on in my life through this blog I can not only inform others but also touch and inspire others, as well. It's been over a month since I last blogged and over the course of the last month and a half I have graduated from college, met the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, traveled from the Bay Area to Southern California, witnessed the California Supreme Court systematically strip civil rights away from the queer community, and grown much closer to my family and friends. It has been such an amazing month and half and I hope that it foreshadows what is to come for me this summer as well as in the fall.

My college graduation has been one of the greatest milestones of my life. I never would have dreamed that as I marched along with my graduating class I would be addressed by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, who also happens to be the first African-American First Lady. I could never have dreamed that as a result of serving on the Dear Michelle Committee, the group of students who organized the campaign to recruit the First Lady, that I would have the opportunity to hug and shake the hand of the First Lady and to take a picture with her as well. I could never have dreamed that my college graduation from the University of California, Merced would be such a beautiful day with my family and friends full of so many amazing memories. Even three weeks later I am still in awe at the beauty of the day. I am eternally grateful to the University of California-Merced for providing me with countless memories, experiences, and opportunities for growth. I close this chapter in my life with sadness and happiness. It is truly one of the most bittersweet times for me as I must say goodbye to the friendships, relationships, and life that I have come to know for the past 4 years. I know that many of my friends will keep in touch but I also know that it will never be the same. It will never be like it was in college.

After graduation I spent 2 weeks in the San Francisco Bay Area with my Aunt and Uncle. It was a fun two weeks hanging out with my family up north, going out with my cousin, working out and jogging with my Aunt, and chatting with my Uncle, who is never one without many words. However, as I was preparing to leave three important events occurred. President Obama appointed Sonia Sotomayor as the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, the California Supreme Court voted 6-1 to uphold Proposition 8 in California, which declared same-sex marriage unconstitutional, and lastly President Obama declared June as Gay Pride Month and published an official proclamation along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Each of these events was historic and impacted me personally.

After I left the Bay Area, I stopped in Merced for a bit and then headed down to Southern California where I met Jonathan and Alan at UCLA and we went running in the Hollywood Hills. I absolutely am in love with UCLA and Southern California in general. Beautiful weather, beautiful people. beautiful beaches. Everything is just beautiful. I spent the last week accompanying Jonathan to graduate classes in education, working out at the UCLA gym, and hanging out with my SoCal friends at UCLA and UCI. A few of my friends from UCM even came down for my friend Raj's 22nd birthday and to hang out in Southern California and Las Vegas.

This is my last week in Southern California before I begin my summer internship in Sacramento with the UC Center there. Hopefully I will be working in the District Attorney's Office or in the Legislative Office of a member of the State Assembly or State Senate. It should be an interesting experience as I have never lived and worked in Sacramento however, I am a little concerned as to how I will afford to intern in Sacramento for the summer. This is the first summer that I have not worked full-time and it will definitely be a financial strain, so much so that I may have to pick up a part-time job to make ends meet. Nevertheless, I am excited about spending the next 3 months of my life interning, learning, and meeting new people. I know that this summer is going to be a great one. However, I hope it goes by fast because I am so ready to begin grad school at UCLA in the fall, move into my new LA apt. with Jonathan and start my new life in Southern California.

There is so much going on in the world and I am anxious to begin to learn how I fit into this giant puzzle called life. I am ready to make my mark in this world however I am supposed to do so. I hope that I am ready for what lies ahead. I know that I am not done yet and there is still much growth that I must endure. As Michelle Obama said in her Commencement speech I know that there will be dark times that lie ahead and I that I am certain to face countless obstacles as a continue to progress into my purpose and fulfill my destiny. I am embracing the challenge and the growth that will come along with it and in so doing, hopefully I will continue to become a better, more whole, person.

I am well on my way to law school, becoming the top lawyer that I was designed to become, and becoming the influential political leader, author, teacher, and mentor that I was born to be. And despite the racist and insulting scoff by a certain white man at my very presence at Huntington Beach as an African-American graduate student at UCLA, I am confident and proud to be where I am today and no one and nothing can take that away from me or stop me from achieving my goals. This should be a very interesting summer.

Sincerely,

RKNJ
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Rodney K. Nickens Jr.
UCLA Graduate Student '11
M.A. Afro-American Studies