Reflections on the Past and the Future of Law in America
This past weekend, I took a four-hour walk around the National Mall here in Washington, D.C. It was a beautiful day, and the impact of the beauty of DC and the symbolism of the monuments surrounding me was immense. As I made my way through the monuments, I was struck by just how much history surrounds us here in the United States. Of course, as we all know, American history includes both triumphs and failures, moments we’re proud of, and others we’re still reckoning with.
Standing in the middle of the Mall, you can see the Capitol building in one direction and the Lincoln Memorial in the other. You pass the MLK Memorial, the Washington Monument, and then the museums of American History, African American History, Natural History, and more. As you walk, it is impossible not to feel the weight of it all.
Some of the most powerful stops along the walk were the memorials that remind us of darker times in our past: the World War II Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial itself. I took some time to reflect on those darker moments and where we are today in our government and legal system. It’s no secret that we’re facing difficult times again. Even so, the symbols gave me hope and reminded me of resilience and change.
Being in the hub of American history, you are surrounded by the buildings and grounds where all of the influential figures who led us out of those dark times worked and walked. It reminded me that throughout our history, lawmakers, judges, Supreme Court Justices, Representatives, and countless advocates have used their voices and positions to bring us out of dark times and toward something better. They’ve used their gifts, whether legal knowledge, political influence, or simply the courage to speak up, to help reshape our society for the better.
I have recently been getting to know many of my classmates who are dedicating themselves to pursuing criminal law, and I am honestly so inspired by them. These are people who are going to dedicate their lives to representing people and healing our criminal justice system by supporting those who are often overlooked or mistreated by the legal system. They want to provide the best support possible for people who are battling the legal system, people who are seeking justice, and even people behind bars. Through getting to know them, I am certain they will make a large impact, and that is truly inspiring.
That kind of commitment gives me so much hope for the future. It makes me believe that we can and will do better. Being a part of the law is about continuing the work of those who came before us, and pushing for a system that serves everyone with fairness and humanity. Walking through the Mall reminded me of how far we’ve come, how far we still have to go, and how lucky I am to be part of this next generation of legal professionals.
