Why George Takei And Lawyers Across America Keep Me Optimistic About The State Of Our Nation
Lawyers have always been, and will continue to be, the chief architects of America’s future.
George Takei (by Angela George via Wikimedia)
“Raise a glass to freedom / Something they can never take away / No matter what they tell you / Raise a glass to the four of us / Tomorrow there’ll be more of us.” — Lin-Manuel Miranda, “The Story of Tonight,” Hamilton
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend George Takei’s presentation in Dallas about his experiences growing up in an internment camp, advocating for marriage equality and LGBT rights, and acting in the Star Trek franchise.
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It had been several months since I last heard him speak in San Diego, but it was clear that he remained ever optimistic about our democratic experiment. The cosmic observer and former lieutenant commander and captain of the USS Enterprise repeatedly reminded the audience that our country was founded by fallible men with noble ideas. And that a people’s democracy is at its best when its citizens are engaged and involved.
On Monday, Google honored the late Fred Korematsu on his 98th birthday through its daily Doodle. Some scholars, like Stanford Professor David Alan Sklanky, contend that Korematsu’s case justifying the use of Japanese internment is “not good law,” even though unfortunately it has never been overruled.
Earlier this week, I gave a presentation on the rule of law and subsequently participated in a lively debate with an immigration judge on whether Trump’s executive order on immigration, which he signed on and implemented last Friday, abided by or was in accordance with the nine principles of the rule of law.
The immigration judge argued that Trump’s executive order did not violate any rule-of-law principles and was not so different than orders from past administrations. I countered with the factors, specifically regarding open-government and regulatory enforcement, that I thought this order was an affront to (and noted that I wasn’t giving a pass to past administrations). Clearly, reasonable minds may disagree on this issue. But the tolerance of dissent is what makes our country so great. We should do well to remember this.
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Last weekend, in response to Friday’s executive order and the enforcement of it, I wrote, “For the first time in my life, I don’t recognize this country.” But then something amazing happened. Within hours, lawyers from all walks of life came to the aid of the surprised legal permanent residents at airports across the country who were being detained, threatened, or removed.
Although no notice was given to the stunned arrivals, shining examples in the legal profession put the nation on notice that there were numerous lawyers ready to defend green card holders’ rights and freedoms. I believe the prompt pro-bono actions by these attorneys and the subsequent stay issued by Judge Ann M. Donnelly of federal district court in Brooklyn will remain ingrained in our country’s conscience for quite some time.
Last weekend’s legal efforts might not have been as life-altering as a typical weekend’s Doctor Without Borders itinerary; nevertheless, I was left awe-inspired. I feel like last weekend’s dumpster fire has left soot on our soil, but at the same time, I strongly believe that engaged and involved attorneys in airports across the country projected an image of the best of us. After witnessing the massive pro-bono effort that led to the national stay, I couldn’t have been more proud to be an aspiring member of this noble profession. I look forward to meeting those who were on the front lines last weekend representing the best of what our profession can be.
In his book The Start-Up of You (affiliate link), LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman writes:
Berkshire Hathaway was founded in America because there’s greater business opportunity in a country with effective institutions, rule of law, trust, and a culture that accepts risk-taking, among other intangible qualities. And, when Warren Buffet has the opportunity to flourish, everyone in society benefits. The soil gains nutrients to nourish the seeds of other people’s creativity….
The health of a society shapes the outcomes for individual professionals in a similar fashion. It’s difficult to build a remarkable career if the society you live in features extreme, poor services and infrastructure, or low levels of trust…. Think carefully about where you choose to live and work. Then commit to improving whatever community you do live in. You don’t have to be Mother Teresa. Investing in society can be as simple as doing something once a year that’s not directly for you.
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I thought about this passage when I witnessed armies of attorneys heading to airports, not because they had a destination to fly to, but to help those who had just arrived remain where they were. So much energy was invested into this stay.
Last weekend, there was an imminent threat to many peoples’ perceived rights and freedoms. For now, there has been a temporary solution to this threat. Depending on the outcome of the national stay, many lives will be affected, lives that may never directly affect you. But like the waves of attorneys that stormed our airports last weekend, you can have a direct impact on them. As the American computer scientist Alan Kay famously said, “the best way to predict the future is to invent it.” After last weekend, I firmly believe that lawyers have always been, and will continue to be, the chief architects of America’s future.
George Takei is an inspiration to me because of how he has embraced America and become so civically engaged after spending some of his most formative years in a Japanese internment camp. Even his Star Trek character was meant to symbolize the peace of the Trek universe in spite of the numerous wars in the continent. Did you know Takei’s character, Mr. Sulu, was named after the Sulu Sea, because its water touched all surrounding shores?
When I last saw Takei, he told the audience that it was attorneys who have inspired him to be civically engaged. Specifically, he said he owes a great deal to the lawyer who assisted his family after their interment release. There may be only a handful of moments in your life when you know in your heart that your specific actions could have a direct meaningful, consequential impact on someone else’s life.
Last weekend, these type of moments happened all across the country, from sea to shining sea. I would be remiss this week if I did not highlight the pro-bono efforts of so many outstanding lawyers in our profession and give a special thank you on behalf of all the lives you touched.
Renwei Chung is the Diversity Columnist at Above the Law. You can contact Renwei by email at projectrenwei@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter (@renweichung), or connect with him on LinkedIn.
