NATCHITOCHES – A documentary screening of the life of Thurgood Marshall led to discussion about how the U.S Constitution is interpreted, impactful statutes that the public should be aware of and the role that courage plays in practicing law.
Northwestern State University’s Gail Metoyer Jones Center, NSU’s NAACP Chapter and Black Studies, Pre-Law & Paralegal Studies programs hosted a screening of “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” as part of Black History Month, followed by a panel discussion on civil rights, discrimination and how college students can get involved in shaping government policy.
Marshall was an American civil rights attorney and the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African American justice. But before his service as justice, he spent decades of his career leading the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and was a prominent figure in working to end racial segregation in America.
“Becoming Thurgood” examined Marshall’s pragmatic approach to civil rights from a legal standpoint and how his legacy paved the way for Black Americans and other minorities to pursue ongoing social justice initiatives.
Panelists were Dr. Michael McClanahan, a civil rights attorney and advocate who serves as Louisiana NAACP State Conference president; Dr. Carmella Parker, attorney, NSU professor of business and and chief legal officer of a digital company; Judge Monique Rauls, 9th Judicial District Court; Judge David Williams, a 2004 NSU alum, 9th Judicial District Court, and Dr. Rebecca Riall, JD., Ph.D., attorney at law and associate professor and coordinator of Prelaw and Paralegal Studies and Indigenous Studies at NSU. They were welcomed by NSU NAACP President Morgan Swafford of Natchitoches. Arthur Malveaux of New Iberia moderated the panel.
“Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect” is a production of Maryland Public Television, made possible with appropriation form the State of Maryland for The Center for Maryland and History Films. Funding for the film is also provided by Morgan State University, Theralogix, Sage Policy Group and Allan and Shelley Holt (through the Hillside Foundation. Louisiana Public Broadcasting enabled NSU to screen the documentary free of charge.