November 02, 2009
Scholars gathered together once again for the annual
Northeast People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference to discuss
this year’s theme of America’s New Class Warfare at the
University at Buffalo School of Law from October 23-24,
2009.
Photo Gallery
This theme is on the minds of many Americans as we debate
national health care reform in Congress and slowly make our way out
of the Great Recession. The conference explored
specific policies such as restrictions on public housing, sanctions
in welfare programs and class discrimination in medical research
regulations. Speakers also discussed broader themes such as
the intersection of class and race, the co-option of the state into
the market, the role of the minority middle class and the need for
new post-capitalism ideas. Conference participants were
impassioned in their lively discussions and our hope is that NEPOC
2009 has inspired many to continue working towards greater equality
on class and race in our future.
Professor Leonard Baynes presented on the promise of 
corporate governance in ameliorating discrimination in the
marketplace, while
Professor Melinda Molina presented on the fallout for tenants
in the subprime mortgage crisis.
Professor Elaine Chiu led the planning committee for NEPOC,
moderated a panel on Class in Public Policy and also served as the
commentator on a paper on cognitive psychology by Professor Alafair
S. Burke of Hofstra University School of Law. Professor
Janice Villiers was also in attendance.
The Kellis E. Parker Keynote speaker was Professor Angela P.
Harris of Berkeley Law, University of California and the Haywood
Burns – Shanara Gilbert Awardees were Professors S. James Anaya of
the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona and
Professor Janis D. McDonald from Syracuse University College of
Law.
View recorded
streaming video of select panels at NEPOC.
This conference was sponsored by the Ronald H. Brown Center for
Civil Rights and Economic Development of St. John’s School of
Law. For more information about the conference, please visit
this Web site or
contact Professor Elaine
Chiu.