Economic, Social, or Personal Disadvantage

¶ … Economic, Social, or Personal Disadvantage

One of the most contentious legal subjects currently being debated in the mass media is the question of rights for Arab-Americans. Sometimes it seems that virtually all individuals of Arab ancestry are suspected terrorists, no matter how passionately and patriotically they may believe in the value of the justice system of the United States. This is often seen as a new topic of national conversation, one of the sadder aspects of the legacy of 9/11. However, as a Palestinian-American, I have struggled with the misconceptions that have been attached to my ethnic group my entire life. The prejudice I have experienced has not embittered me; it has inspired me to use the law to change hearts and minds. As a Muslim, a member of a religious minority, I also feel very strongly about First Amendment rights and the need for the law to protect all faiths, my own and others, in a fair and unbiased fashion. Not all Muslims are intolerant -- in fact, Muslims in America are especially sensitive and appreciative of the U.S. Constitution's protection of our ability to practice or religion freely.

I feel that I could make a personal contribution to the classroom and to my fellow, future lawyers because discrimination is not merely an academic subject of discussion, as far as I am concerned. It is something I have lived and experienced on a personal level. Of course, I realize that I am not alone in this experience, and many groups have experienced discrimination in America and all over the world. But because fears of Arab-Americans have become so heightened, I think that my input would add an extra dimension to the legal experience of my colleagues, before they embark upon practice.

I have a deep sense of the rich gifts and opportunities education can provide in America because I am the first person in my family to attend college at all, and I will be the first person to attend graduate school from my family. It has been difficult but rewarding exploring the educational opportunities of America, trying to obtain financial support, and essentially embarking upon uncharted grounds. I am grateful for the support of my family, and hope to draw upon their support and inspiration in law school.

Standardized Test Performance worked extremely hard in college, and obtained a high GPA every year I was a student. I believe that my grades are reflective of my interest in the subjects that I will cover in law school and the hard work that will be demanded as I pursue higher education. For a long time I have had to balance school, family, and work demands. Multitasking is a way of life for me, and I know that the need to balance different obligations is necessary to succeed in law school. Law school places a strong emphasis on team learning and study, the need to make use of internship opportunities required to truly benefit from the educational experience, and learning from one's colleagues in class. Although any shift between law school and undergraduate school will be jarring, I believe it will be less of a surprise than it may be for other students.