I joined CSJ with the hopes that I could play some part in creating a better experience for all students who come through St. John's law. While the challenges for our minority students may differ significantly, having empathy for one another will allow us to always remain connected

My first introduction to CSJ was their active involvement in helping SJU Law become an actively anti-racist institution. Since my first meeting, it has remained an organization that is a great facilitator of (sometimes) uncomfortable, but necessary and empowering, conversations. Although I think the school, and the legal field in general, have a ways to go, CSJ is a great organization to be involved with if you want to leave events feeling like you have an action plan to implement and a community to rally around you when you need it. 

Chelsea was a bankruptcy and distressed debt journalist in New York City before law school. Chelsea has been dedicated to social justice her entire life and is honored to be part of a community that shares her values.

I am a part of CSJ because I want to start impacting my community positively while I am in school. “The closer we get to mass incarceration and extreme levels of punishment, the more I believe it's necessary to recognize that we all need mercy, we all need justice, and—perhaps—we all need some measure of unmerited grace.” - Bryan Stevenson"

CSJ is the organization at our law school that encompasses all of the issues I care about. Activism was a defining part of my undergrad experience and advocating for social and economic justice is why I decided to go to law school.

Audre Lorde captures how I feel about CSJ: “Each of us must find our work and do it. Militancy no longer means guns at high noon, if it ever did. It means actively working for change, sometimes in the absence of any surety that change is coming. It means doing the unromantic and tedious work necessary to forge meaningful coalitions, and it means recognizing which coalitions are possible and which coalitions are not. It means knowing that coalition, like unity, means the coming together of whole, self-actualized human beings, focused and believing, not fragmented automatons marching to a prescribed step. It means fighting despair.”
― Audre Lorde, The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master's House

Sachika is not exactly sure what area of law she wants to pursue but is interested in labor/employment. She is in CSJ because she is deeply passionate about social justice issues, and bringing awareness to injustices occurring today.

He joined the Coalition for Social Justice because I was inspired by so many of those who rose up in the Summer of 2020. I thought (and still think) that an organized student body would be able to do this work, and, though we have obstacles, we are making our collective voices heard.

Isabelle chose to become involved with CSJ to learn more about disability rights and equal opportunity for all. For the past three years, she has been working as a Direct Care Provider where she takes care of a child with Down Syndrome. It has been remarkable to see him grow up and she hopes to educate others about the importance of ensuring rights for all of society.

Johnny has work experience in financial sales, financial

consulting, and healthcare management.  He is currently working as a research assistant studying consumer financial protection issues with Professor Sovern. Johnny is a staff member at JCRED (Journal for Civil Rights and Economic Development), and his academic interests include financial securities and foreign policy law.  

Shannon felt a pull towards CSJ and their work during her 2L year, and upon reflection of this quote:

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."

– James Baldwin