There can be a sense of power and courage that comes from being alone. Being alone can create a sense of comfort with oneself and one's thoughts. It can help people to discover their own voice.
But like anything in life, there are ups and downs.
I am the only Black student at Thompson Rivers University's Faculty of Law (TRU Law) out of approximately 350 students. It can feel lonely.
While I have great appreciation for the people I have met and experiences I have gained since starting my law degree, I cannot deny that a unique sense of community can be found with people you relate to culturally and ethnically.
There is a sense of familiarity and unity that comes from being with people who look like you, especially in the legal profession where Black representation is significantly lower than other races.
Representation is important because it shines a light on inequitable matters only those who walked that life path would truly understand.
- Alexandria Myrie
No matter how many connections I build with colleagues from various ethnicities, races, and genders, not being around people who understand the hurdles I have faced due to my race — like microaggressions in the workplace — is not something that can be replaced, or at least, not easily.
Working together, building success
I was always taught that if something really bothered me, I should do something about it. Feeling alone at my institution was something I wanted to fix.
I was prepared to take on the task of bringing attention to the lack of Black representation within the law school on my own, but my closest friends refused to let it be a one-person task.
Together, we realized that increasing access for Black students interested in the law school will benefit both the legal profession and citizens alike.
Representation is important because it shines a light on inequitable matters only those who walked that life path would truly understand. Allowing such individuals to have their voice heard would not only benefit marginalized groups, but society as a whole.
Together, we advocated for and implemented the first Black law student scholarship at TRU Law. We also organized events to build a community with Black students.
Halifax hosting 32nd annual national conference of Black Law Students’ Association
The largest gathering of Black law students in Canadian history is happening right now in Halifax. Guest host David Burke spoke with students Alexandria Brittany Myrie and Grace Nkaya Kabengele about the gathering and their work.
I have had the privilege of working alongside some law professors and the admissions manager to improve the admissions process for Black students. I am not the first president of the TRU Black Law Students' Association to bring this recommendation forward.
While we have been successful in securing scholarship funding for first-year Black law students, there is still more work to be done to change the admissions process, for example, having Black legal professionals review applications or creating a Black applicant admissions category would go a long way toward our goal.
The journey to increase Black law students at TRU Law is far from over, but it is one that I have the motivation to see evolve.
I am proud to say that along with many dedicated individuals at TRU Law, both in the faculty and student body, we are moving toward better representation in the legal profession.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/community/black-law-students-association-conference-alexandria-myrie-1.6763913
