Some of the things Impartial has been doing recently have me thinking about the importance of community. Community is so important for anyone trying to make a meaningful impact, but I think it is just as important in our everyday lives. We all need people around us who can serve as a sounding board. They give us an outlet to share our thoughts, hear others, and ultimately form more informed conclusions. Sometimes, we need someone to challenge the way we think or see something we might have missed. Either way, we rarely arrive at our best ideas entirely on our own.
Think about our justice system. Without the other justices on a court, how would we reach some of the most significant decisions in our country’s history? Without jury deliberation, would we have the same confidence that a verdict reflects an unbiased decision? Our legal system recognizes that discussion and the consideration of different perspectives are essential to reaching fair and informed conclusions. In my experience in law school, it has been so important to be able to recognize that no one person has all the answers, and the ability to listen to others is often just as important as the ability to articulate our own positions. It goes to the classic lawyer answer, “it depends.”
I think there is something particularly valuable about sitting across from someone who sees the world differently than you do. It forces you to step outside your own perspective, consider why someone else might think the way they do, and question whether your own assumptions hold up. You may not walk away agreeing with that person. The value is in engaging with an idea that challenges you.
I think the absence of genuine community and meaningful dialogue is one of the shortcomings we are seeing in many parts of our society today. When people in positions of power surround themselves only with those who agree with them, there is little incentive to question their assumptions or consider the consequences of their decisions. Without people willing to challenge our thinking, we risk becoming individuals with a one-track mind. That is dangerous territory, particularly in a country and a justice system that depend on fairness.
This is especially important for those of us who are interested in the future of criminal justice. The system is complicated, and the people who interact with it experience it in vastly different ways. An attorney, a law student, an advocate, an academic, and someone with direct experience navigating the system may all see the same issue through a different lens. Each perspective brings something valuable to the conversation. If we want to identify where the system falls short and figure out how to improve it, we need to create spaces where those perspectives can come together.
That is what I find so special about Impartial’s new All Rise Community. All Rise is built around the idea that we can learn from one another no matter where you are in life. Community is not just about learning from one another. It is also about learning how to lead. Before we can lead in our communities or institutions, we have to understand ourselves and recognize what we bring to the table.
We may not always agree with one another, but we should always be willing to listen. I think the sense of community that Impartial is building can extend beyond our professional lives and work in criminal justice into our personal lives as well. I know I could never have made it through my first year of law school without the support of my own community, and I love that we are building a space where others can find that same sense of connection.