At least 7 NYPD officers pushed me, neck down, onto the edge of my H.S cafeteria table. I was 110 lbs. I was 15 years old. The reason? – I brought prohibited items to school and tried to retrieve them from the box they were placed in. What were the items? – highlighters and pens.
The officers whisked me away in their usual 'coming thru. we have a criminal. out of the way' manner. I was humiliated and angry. I realized immediately that me being a good student in terms of behavior and academics was irrelevant. All that mattered was enforcing, with physical force, the disabling school policy that banned coloured highlighters because they could be gang related. The judge scoffed at the misconduct charge, quickly threw it out and invited me to visit when I do become a lawyer.
This was the beginning of my social conditioning. This is why I have an indescribable commitment to see that social and other barriers that disqualify people from certain communities be removed and enabling ones be created. This is why, with permission, I share knowledge gained and opportunities so that those with limited resources know of their potential and can truly actualize that potential. A lack of resources has caused a thought system of lack to permeate our communities, which leaves some making poor choices. I hope to be a resource to the men and women I will one day represent who are from the very communities that are vulnerable and under served. The very communities I’m from. I hope to be their voice where the barriers have affected their ability to adequately represent themselves, particularly against bigger players. To know of one’s rights and to have access to those rights is fundamental to a progressive society.
This is why I continued using my highlighters and pens on my H.S debate team. This is the greater purpose behind my pursuit of practicing law.
About the Fundraiser
This September I plan to fulfill my dream of becoming an attorney by completing the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at the University of Law: Birmingham. Following the selection interview by the University of Law (formerly College of Law) I was accepted and awarded the Provost Award of Excellence worth £2500, based on my interview performance. I'm delighted to be given this award! However the BPTC programme costs £15,480 (USD$20,000). The majority of scholarships and grants are offered to Masters / PhD programmes. My options are quite limited and this is why I have decided to crowd fund my studies.
About me
I’m a plant growing, parody loving, foodie who wants to be a kick-ass attorney at law!
I was born in St. Vincent & the Grenadines and raised in Barbados but my desire to practice law blossomed in Brooklyn NYC where I spent my formative years. Whether I witnessed or experienced injustice, I dreamt of bringing about change by being an advocate for those whose voices are often times ignored - quite like the attorney who represented me pro bono in H.S.
Learn More
About me and my law journey: http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/community/...
About the BPTC programme: http://www.law.ac.uk/postgraduate/bptc/
I welcome you to donate what your heart and pocket says! You can also contribute by sharing this page with others.
Thank You in advance for your financial seed towards a dream that is greater than me. If you prefer to make payment directly via paypal, you may do so via: www.paypal.me/ShalishaSamuel
Cheers!
Shalisha :)
“The greatest fear in the world is the opinion of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd, you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion.” - Osho
