Diversity Display

State Bar "Report Card" on Diversity

Report Card on the Diversity of California’s Legal Profession

A recently released report by the State Bar of California shows that the profession does not reflect the diversity of California itself. About 95,000 members of the bar took a voluntary survey in 2019—the results reflect that nearly 70 percent of California’s licensed attorneys are white, although only 40 percent of the California population is white.  The survey also found that Latinos make up only 7 percent of California’s licensed attorneys and that women attorneys, attorneys of color, LGBTQIA+ attorneys, and attorneys with disabilities all “report lower levels of satisfaction with workplace experiences.”

The report card follows up these findings with a Call to Action with specific recommendations for increasing diversity.

Readings:

LGBTQ Pride Month

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) Pride Month! This month commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, a tipping point in the U.S. movement for LGBT rights.

Cities around the world now celebrate with Pride parades, often held during the summer months. San Diego will celebrate Pride July 13th-15th, including the San Diego Pride Parade on July 14th in Hillcrest.

Join the LRC this summer in recognizing the importance of LGBT rights in legal history.

many books on a shelf arranged by color

Religious Diversity

“The American religious landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. White Christians, once the dominant religious group in the U.S., now account for fewer than half of all adults living in the country. Today, fewer than half of all states are majority white Christian. As recently as 2007, 39 states had majority white Christian populations.” Public Religion Research Institute, America’s Changing Religious Identity (2017).

From 2007–2014, “the percentage of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated—describing themselves as atheist, agnostic or ‘nothing in particular’—has jumped more than six points, from 16.1% to 22.8%. And the share of Americans who identify with non-Christian faiths also has inched up, rising 1.2 percentage points, from 4.7% in 2007 to 5.9% in 2014.” Pew Research Center, America’s Changing Religious Landscape (2015).

Diana Eck (Harvard Divinity School): On Common Ground: A New Look at America’s Religious Diversity

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Religious Diversity (Pluralism)

Group of animated figures - with various religious animations overhead.

Invisible Disabilities

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a common phrase uttered by many to express the idea that one shouldn’t make decisions about a person based on their visible appearance. Invisible disabilities are disabilities that are not readily apparent such as anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, and many others. Invisible disabilities affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. 

“But you don’t look sick” or “But you look good” are comments often made to those with invisible disabilities. Other reactions include sneers or dirty looks given to a person with an invisible disability who is exiting their vehicle after parking in a designated disability parking space. Consider the challenges those with invisible disabilities might face before making comments or passing judgment.

Readings:

Videos:

Not All Disabilities Are Visible The text "Not All Disabilities Are Visible" over a list of invisible disabilities

Words Matter

Our words can have a strong effect on others, regardless of our intentions. Microaggressions are
comments or nonverbal actions – subtle and often unintentional – that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages toward another person, usually a member of a marginalized group.

Consider how you speak to people and how your words may be received. We can learn a lot from each other if we think about what we say and ask questions.

Readings:

Videos:
letter beads arranged to say words have power