Democracy and Diversity

Abstract

Why does racial diversity in the legal profession, the largest and most powerful profession in the country, matter? The answer to that deceptively simple question requires a hard look at our society and our law schools. More than that, however, it requires a hard look at our democracy.

We are, after all, a democracy. And our democracy makes extraordinary use of lawyers-more than any other country in the world. So, why does racial diversity in our legal profession matter? I believe it matters with respect to our ability to function as a full democracy. In fact, diversity in our legal profession is essential to our ability to function as a full democracy. So, the stakes in this discussion about diversity in the legal profession are nothing less than the health of our democracy.