I greatly appreciate the leadership of the University of San Francisco Law Review to devote significant attention to the recent grand jury action in St. Louis County, Missouri and to police-community relations generally. Earlier today, approximately 80 students and faculty and staff, led by Professor Steve Shatz, discussed the death of Michael Brown, the criminal justice process, race, the media and potential federal civil rights law enforcement action. It is heartening to see the USF School of Law community come together from a wide variety of viewpoints, debate, agree, disagree and commit to continuing our pursuit of justice.

The recent events should be a starting point for candid conversations that reflect upon the shared values that unite us and the distance we must overcome to advance those values. Some of this discussion must take place in a historical context and it must create space for the voices of people who represent the changing demographics of cities, town and communities across the country. It should also be expressed not just in the context of the criminal justice system but in access to education, job opportunities and housing, democracy and good government and the responsibilities we all have to each other. Words must lead to actions and not fall victim to short and fading attention spans, news media cycles and election campaign seasons.

Within the School of Law and across this University, we are rich in the resources of people, education, talent and principles to ask the hard questions, respect differences and work together to solve problems. I look forward to reading the commentary, views and ideas that the University of San Francisco Law Review will elicit from among us.

Sincerely,

John Trasviña
Dean, School of Law