Mock Trial- Key Post

                                  Mock Trial: Board of Regents vs Bakke

In class, we were able to accurately participate in a mock trial. The trial was on the 1978 case of the Board of Regents vs Bakke. Bakke was a white student who was suing the school because of their use of racial quotas in the admission process. He believes he was more qualified than other students and that under the 14th amendment, racial quotas are unjust and that he should have been admitted. 

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1979/76-811

I was a lawyer on the side of the university arguing the fact that racial quotas in the admission process are extremely conditional and benefit the school and society as a whole. I argued the case from the angle of ethics and morals.

https://slideplayer.com/slide/3839251/

Then I argued that morals can be defined as principles of what is right and wrong and the goodness of human behaviors in society. Morally the university believes it should not end its affirmative action process by admitting students that will support the culture of the university. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/affirmative_action

The court could hear that I explained to the courtroom that morally everyone should be granted a fair fight in the education system. It is also vital t to the university to have a diverse classroom to bring all cultures, ideas, and beliefs into the education system. 

http://civilrightsmovement.blogs.wm.edu/category/regents-of-the-university-of-california-v-bakke-1978/

I made an exceedingly important point that African Americans have had their fair share of hardships in society through the trauma they and their families have endured through slavery.  They have gone countless years without education or the opportunity to go attend college. I explained to the court that we are all born God's children and having affirmative action in the college process ensures that all races have a fair chance in the education system.

https://sites.psu.edu/calliefreenock/2016/02/10/regents-of-the-university-of-california-v-bakke/

I used a quote from Proverbs16:16 that states that having wisdom and understanding is better than having silver or gold; in order to have a source for the courtroom to hear and relate to. 

https://dailyverses.net/proverbs/16/16/kjv

In conclusion, I wrapped up the case with a summary of all the main takeaway points as followed. We are all born god’s children and should all have the same opportunity in society to succeed in life through going to college. Slavery put a pause on African American citizens’ rights to attend college. Affirmative action is now in place to make sure that everyone has the same right to success. Ethically it would be unjust to not grant education to all and to not help those who have not received education in the past, get a stellar education. It is morally unjust to judge someone on the color of their skin rather than their qualifications. Everyone enrolled in this school has the willpower and opportunity to grow and learn in their academic classes no matter their race. 

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/438/265

I really loved having the opportunity to be on a case that intrigued me to put forward the best legal argument possible. Mock trials are an amazing way to learn new information about a time period in a creative way. I am really going to miss attending, and participating in these trials in this class.