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Let’s Unpack This

Georgetown Law Just Might Have a Racism Problem

A fired professor’s words belie the truth of her anti-Black academic bias

Garfield Hylton
Momentum
Published in
5 min readApr 14, 2021

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Photo: Georgetown University/Getty Images

When I consider the level of commitment it took for me to enroll and graduate from law school, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story’s words still ring true: “The law is a jealous mistress and requires a long and constant courtship. It is not to be won by trifling favors, but by a lavish homage.” I became intimate with Justice Story’s words as law school became the single most important thing in my life, allowing little room for anything else romantically, socially, or financially until I graduated.

For three years, on most days, I’d wake up early and head to campus with my roommate between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. to attack a never-ending to-do list. I’d attend two to four, sometimes five classes, and after a brief break for lunch, the rest of the evening was dedicated to giving my mistress what she wanted: solo studying, study groups, case readings, assignments, and preparation for the off-chance the professor would pepper me with questions for the entirety of a class the next morning.

When I chose North Carolina Central University’s Law School (NCCU Law) in Durham, North Carolina, two factors made it the obvious pick: cost of attendance…

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Momentum
Momentum

Published in Momentum

Momentum is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts.

Garfield Hylton
Garfield Hylton

Written by Garfield Hylton

Medium Creator Fellow. Award-winning TV news journalist. Freelance writer. Mad question asker.

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