First-year law students at the University of Wisconsin were reportedly required to attend a “re-orientation” session that focused solely on race, sparking controversy and outrage.
Key Takeaway
A controversial re-orientation session at the University of Wisconsin, focusing on race and privilege, has sparked outrage and raised questions about its relevance to legal education.
What Happened at the Re-Orientation?
According to reports, the re-orientation session centered on discussions about race and privilege, with students being asked to complete a worksheet containing unusual prompts. The prompts included asking students to “Tell the Truth” and write about “how deep racism goes in my life” among other confessionals. Additionally, students were reportedly encouraged to share racial slurs for different minority groups as part of an effort to break down stereotypes and tropes.
Furthermore, the session included literature that stated “there are no exceptional white people,” and criticized the concept of color blindness as inherently racist.
Public Reaction and University Response
The mandatory nature of the re-orientation and its focus on race has sparked public outrage and raised questions about its relevance to legal education. The University of Wisconsin has not yet addressed the specifics of the re-orientation, but the session has drawn criticism from some individuals.
