By GLORY TSUJ
While many believe that race discrimination is something of the past, many minorities still struggle to overcome the obstacles placed on their ethnicity. The BYU Minority Law School Association is dedicated to educating people of all color about the value of diversity.
“I haven’t encountered any racism in my own life,” said Aimee Martinez, first year law student from Ogden and president-elect for the association. “But I have noticed discrimination toward other minorities.”
The Minority Law School Association is an organization supported by the J. Reuben Clark Law School that represents the ethnic groups of the law school and tries to educate other students about diversity. The association promotes the status of minorities through various activities and service throughout the community.
“There are many obstacles that minorities are confronted with even in today’s world,” Martinez said. “Even though I have not experienced much discrimination in my own life, working in minority organizations has helped me become more aware of the discrimination that occurs.”
The Minority Law School Association tries to battle discrimination by educating people. Education is the only way to break down the doors of ignorance, but it is difficult to educate those people who don’t want to be educated, Martinez said.
For years the association has been working toward this goal. It has changed in various ways to better achieve this objective.
Martinez is currently serving as co-president with Melissa Flores, a third-year law student who served as president last year. As president-elect, Martinez would like to make the association become more accessible to people of all races.
“As president I would like to open the association to everyone at the law school, not just minorities, and educate people of how their differences in backgrounds and experiences can enhance and supplement their education,” Martinez said.
“My ethnic background and upbringing gives me a different perspective on life. It brings a different outlook and adds to and enhances the whole. I’ve learned that everyone is able to contribute to the whole in a different, but equally valuable way because of life’s experiences,” Martinez said.
The Minority Law School Association is not just for minorities. It is open to anyone who desires to learn more about people’s lifestyles, culture and beliefs.
