Unity in the Face of Conflict

Hello Law Students,

I'm writing this during one of the highest stress periods of our law school career... final exams. With everything on the line, it's challenging (to say the least) to not let our egos, biases, and insecurities get the better of us. What's more, is in this time of political polarization, discussions on hot topic issues is increasingly divisive in our personal relationships, but it does not have to be. With that in mind, I suggest viewing Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator" speech, because it is absolutely amazing, I directly copy many of the following lines from it, and it reminds me of unity in the face of conflict. Conflict of arms, of experience, of opinion.

I attend law school not to be THE leader, but to take part in the conversation. I don't want to lord my personal beliefs over everyone else and shove my viewpoint down their throat, but to share my argument and compare it with yours. I should like to help everyone, if possible. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. In this world, there is room for everyone. As future attorneys, we can advocate for our beliefs better than most, but that does not make our beliefs correct or void of scrutiny. Rather, we should scrutinize our own beliefs and listen to those of others, to paint the most persuasive picture possible. If there is a right answer, I would not know for sure without context, because there is one overarching truth that we are taught about the right answer: it depends.

Impersonal communication has released the poison in peoples' souls, barricaded the world from understanding, and thrust us into personal attacks, judgements, and criticisms. We have developed speedy responses, but we have locked ourselves into our individual biases, unwilling to take the time to question our “fundamental” beliefs. Social media gives us an abundance of information, but has left us in want of the truth. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than social media, we need humanity. More than scathing remarks, we need kindness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. Social media brings to us news about the world and each other. The very nature of this phenomena cries out for the goodness of people, for universal community, for unity of us all. Even now, my voice could reach millions. To those who are willing to listen, I say do not despair. The misery that is upon us is but a temporary hatred born of impersonal thinking. The hate of men will pass, and the power it strips from the people will return to the people.

Do not give yourselves to hatred, to rage from an inciteful message. Do not give yourselves division. We have the love of humanity in our hearts. We, the people, have the power to create happiness. You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work. That will give youth a future and old age security. Together, we can change the conversation and we can fight on the merits without disparaging the characters of our peers. Together, we will finish our finals and become the rising 2Ls we are meant to be. 1Ls, in the name of liberty, equality, and fraternity, let us unite!