Author Archives: Melba Abrahim

09.29.25
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Book Display Breakdown: Hispanic Heritage Month

In 1968, Congress voted to dedicate a week to celebrate the contributions and heritage of Americans tracing their roots back to the Spanish-speaking regions Spain and the Americas. In 1988, this celebration was extended to a month, beginning on September 15th to coincide with the independence days of several Central American nations. In modern times, the celebrations have grown to include those who identify under the umbrella of Latinx, who may not identify with the term Hispanic (for more information on the differences between Hispanic, Latinx, and Latine, see here). In celebration of this month, the College of Law Library has curated a selection of books related to Hispanic/Latinx heritage and history in the United States. The display is located next to the reference desk on the 5th floor, and all books are available to be checked out at the adjacent circulation desk. The books currently on display are listed below.

Sources: census.gov , hispanicmonth.org

Murder at the Sleepy Lagoon: Zoot Suits, Race, and Riot in Wartime L.A.

by Eduardo Obregón Pagán

“The notorious 1942 ‘Sleepy Lagoon’ murder trial in Los Angeles concluded with the conviction of seventeen young Mexican American men for the alleged gang slaying of fellow youth Jose Diaz. Just five months later, the so-called Zoot Suit Riot erupted, as white soldiers in the city attacked minority youths and burned their distinctive zoot suits. Eduardo Obregn Pagan here provides the first comprehensive social history of both the trial and the riot and argues that they resulted from a volatile mix of racial and social tensions that had long been simmering. In reconstructing the lives of the murder victim and those accused of the crime, Pagan contends that neither the convictions (which were based on little hard evidence) nor the ensuing riot arose simply from anti-Mexican sentiment. He demonstrates instead that a variety of pre-existing stresses, including demographic pressures, anxiety about nascent youth culture, and the war effort all contributed to the social tension and the eruption of violence. Moreover, he recovers a multidimensional picture of Los Angeles during World War II that incorporates the complex intersections of music, fashion, violence, race relations, and neighborhood activism. Drawing upon overlooked evidence, Pagan concludes by reconstructing the murder scene and proposes a compelling theory about what really happened the night of the murder.”–provided by publisher

The Latino/a Condition: A Critical Reader

edited by Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic

“All too often, groups who do not effectively define themselves find that others assume the power to explain them. Until recently, this has certainly been the case with American Latinos/as, as evidenced by demeaning media stereotypes and the group’s near-invisibility in U.S. history texts. Indeed, as the demise of the Soviet empire shifted America’s national anxieties to domestic irritants, images of Latinos/as changed for the worse. Immigration reform acts in 1965 and 1986 brought millions of new immigrants from Latin American countries. By the end of the 1980s, their presence had become vexing to many. English-only movements sprang up. Bilingual education came under attack. Movements to close the border gained momentum. Now, Latinos/as are speaking back. The Latino Condition brings together some of these new voices, and some of the pioneers, in law, sociology, history, politics, and literature.”–Amazon.com

Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America

by Juan Gonzalez

“A sweeping history of the Latinx experience in the United States. The first new edition in ten years of this important study of Latinos in U.S. history, Harvest of Empire spans five centuries–from the European colonization of the Americas to the 2020 election. Latinos are now the largest minority group in the United States, and their impact on American culture and politics is greater than ever. With family portraits of real-life immigrant Latino pioneers, as well as accounts of the events and conditions that compelled them to leave their homelands, Gonzalez highlights the complexity of a segment of the American population that is often discussed but frequently misrepresented. This landmark history is required reading for anyone wishing to understand the history and legacy of this influential and diverse group.”– provided by publisher.

Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822-2012

prepared under the direction of the Committee on House Administration of the U.S. House of Representatives, Daniel E. Lungren, chairman, Robert A. Brady, ranking minority member, by the Office of the Historian and Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.

“A compilation of historical essays and short biographies about 91 Hispanic-Americans who served in Congress from 1822 to 2012”–provided by publisher.

Being Brown: Sonia Sotomayor and the Latino Question

by Lázaro Lima.

“Sonia Sotomayor is the highest-ranking Latino/a in the United States. Her story of accomplishment and rise to the pinnacle of American public life seemed to herald a profound cultural and historical shift. Latinos are America’s largest minority and also its most disenfranchised. For many, Sotomayor’s ascent represented the elusive fulfillment of an American dream. A chronological narrative of her extraordinary life, Being Brown juxtaposes Sotomayor’s phenomenal successes with the twists and turns of minority inclusion in American democracy. Lázaro Lima also shows how Sotomayor’s own self-making as a Puerto Rican model of possibility allows us to understand not only the appeal but also the limits of representation. Culling through Sotomayor’s own writings, her Supreme Court dissents, and speeches, Lima questions what it means to have a powerful Latina in the Supreme Court. What does her ascent say about social mobility and inclusion? While Sotomayor’s story inspires hope, it also reveals much about the general lack of equality of Latinos and other disenfranchised communities”–provided by publisher.

Latino/a Rights and Justice in the United States: Perspectives and Approaches

by José Luis Morín.

“The U.S. Census Bureau has proclaimed Latinos as the “largest minority community” in the United States. Yet, biases and unequal treatment still plague this growing population, and its struggles to secure equal rights and justice remain largely unknown.

Linking international and domestic dimensions of the Latino/a presence in the United States, this book explores the historical and contemporary Latino/a experience of discrimination and economic and social injustice. Using Latino/a viewpoints, author Jose Luis Morin provides a deeper understanding of pressing issues within these communities, giving insights into the elusiveness of equality and fairness for Latinos/as in the United States. Morin also offers ideas on how to expose and reduce bias and other inequities within the justice system and the greater society.

In addition to presenting an alternative approach to working with Latino/a youths and families, this book calls for a broadening of existing concepts of rights and justice in the United States. In so doing, Morin incorporates international human rights norms and principles of economic, social, and cultural rights to address the persistent inequalities and injustices that Latino/a communities confront in the United States.”

08.18.25
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Book Display Breakdown: Welcome to Law School!

Whether you’re just starting out your 1L year or returning back to school again, welcome! We understand that coming back to school can be a difficult transition, especially for 1L students who are new to the landscape of law school. To help, the library staff has curated a selection of books to guide you through your law school journey. Though many of these books are directed toward 1Ls, all of them hold valuable insights for any point of your law school journey. They are currently on display on the 5th floor next to the reference desk. These books (and many others!) can be checked out at circulation. The College of Law Library wishes you the best of luck in the semester ahead!

The books currently on display, along with brief summaries, are listed below.

Starting Off Right in Law School by Carolyn J. Nygren

“Law school is different. Incoming students, confronted with an entirely new vocabulary and unfamiliar with the discipline’s unique and demanding educational methods, are often disoriented. This book is designed to give these students a head start, both by introducing them to the fundamentals of the legal process and by helping them acquire the study skills necessary for success. Starting Off Right in Law School introduces new law students to the practice and study of law by following a lawsuit from its inception through the appeals process, illustrating what lawyers actually do, how they prepare, how they interact with clients and in courtrooms, how a lawsuit proceeds, and how students can effectively read and analyze cases, outline, and apply what they have learned on the exams”– Provided by publisher.

Reading Like a Lawyer: Mastering the Art of Reading Law Like an Expert by Ruth Ann McKinney

“Studies show that the reading skills your students have developed in college may not be enough to ensure their success in law school. Reading law requires professionals to understand the purpose of their reading, to form and express opinions about what they’re reading, to apply legal logic, to read with energy, and to adopt sophisticated reading habits that are unique to the study of law. Written for law students, pre-law students, paralegals, and others interested in developing these reading skills, Reading Like a Lawyer teaches each of the following critical legal reading skills: how to read legal casebooks and engage in class, as well as how to use your reading to prepare for exams; how to read published court cases outside of a casebook; how to read legislative material; and how to read online effectively. Based on sound educational research, each chapter includes exercises that challenge students to apply what they have learned.” — Provided by publisher

The Mindful Law Student: A Mindfulness in Law Practice Guide by Scott L. Rogers

“The Mindful Law Student is an innovative guide to learning about mindfulness and integrating mindfulness practices into the law school experience. Through the use of metaphor, insight, mindfulness practices, and relaxation and self-care exercises, students are reminded of the tools they have long carried with them to navigate the exciting and challenging environment of law school and the practice of law. Scott Rogers brings readers on a journey through the law school experience with seven hypothetical students who experience situations not unlike their own that make tangible the challenges, benefits, and promise of mindfulness. He provides real-world examples of applying mindfulness in law school using language of the law to impart mindfulness insights and practices. This novel guide is an approachable and valuable resource for any law student”– Provided by publisher.

The Guide to Belonging in Law School by Russell A. McClain

“The Guide to Belonging in Law School is the only book of its kind and should be required summer reading before law school. It accomplishes two discrete goals. First, it requires readers to engage in an authentic, rigorous, mini-law school semester involving reading, studying, exam preparation, and exam writing. Second, the book provides a foundation for students from marginalized groups to recognize and manage both subtle and explicit barriers that can impede their progress. Law schools should recommend this book to every incoming law student, especially those from groups underrepresented in the profession. Professor McClain is a nationally-recognized expert on inclusiveness and minority student achievement in law school.” — Provided by publisher

The Gunner’s Guide to Law School by Marc A. Silverman

“This book provides those frameworks for how to think and work as a student in law school. The author suggests that students strive to be “Gunners”, or fully-invested students, who are willing to take a dedicated approach to their law school education. The book contains seven chapters worth of tips and guidance for how to succeed in law school”– Provided by publisher.

The Law of Law School: The Essential Guide for First-Year Law Students by Andrew Guthrie Ferguson and Jonathan Yusef Newton.

“…From self-care tips such as “Remove the Drama,” to studying tricks like “Prepare for Class like an Appellate Argument,” topics on exams, classroom expectations, outlining, case briefing, professors, and mental health are all broken down into the rules that form the hidden law of law school. If you don’t have a network of lawyers in your family and are unsure of what to expect, Ferguson and Newton offer a forthright guide to navigating the expectations, challenges, and secrets to first-year success. Jonathan Newton was himself such a non-traditional student and now shares his story as a pathway to a meaningful and positive law school experience. This book is perfect for the soon-to-be law school student or the current 1L and speaks to the growing number of first-generation law students in America.” — Provided by publisher

07.09.25
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Book Display Breakdown: Disability Pride Month

The month of July marks the celebration of Disability Pride Month. First officially celebrated in 2015, Disability Pride Month is held in July to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. According to the Center for People with Disabilities, 61 million American adults—1 in 4—identify themselves as having a disability (cpwd.org). Despite making up a significant portion of the population, barriers to justice and equality still exist in the United States. The theme for this year’s celebration is “We Belong Here, and We’re Here to Stay,” highlighting the necessity for inclusion, acceptance and celebration of those with disabilities in our communities. As stated by Kyra Coats for the Center for People with Disabilities, “let Disability Pride Month be a catalyst for action to amplify the voices of people with disabilities, prioritize accessibility in all systems and structures, and honor the history while building a more inclusive future.”

For the month of July, the American Bar Association is hosting a 21-Day Disability Equity Habit-Building Challenge, to encourage both members and non-members to engage with disability history, activism, and the everyday realities of those living with disabilities in the United States and globally. The challenge includes a syllabus of short daily assignments (less than 20 minutes a day) that will educate participants on a variety of topics related to these issues. To join in on the challenge, find the syllabus here.

In celebration of Disability Pride, the College of Law Library has put together a display of books related to disability and the law. The display is located next to the circulation desk on the 5th floor; be sure to come visit and check out the books! A list of the current books on display, along with short summaries, is provided below.

Sources and Additional Reading:

Disability Pride Month: Acknowledging Our History, Value, Rights, and Justice. — Center for People With Disabilities

Disability Pride Month

https://neurodiverseonline.com/disability-pride-2025-we-belong-here/

Books on Display

The Human Right to Language: Communication Access for Deaf Children by Lawrence M. Siegel

“In 1982, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Amy Rowley, a deaf six-year-old, was not entitled to have a sign language interpreter in her public-school classroom. Lawrence M. Siegel wholeheartedly disagrees with this decision in these pages. Instead, he contends that the United States Constitution should protect every deaf and hard of hearing child’s right to communication and language as part of an individual’s right to liberty. Siegel argues that when a deaf or hard of hearing child sits alone in a crowded classroom and is unable to access the rich and varied communication about her, the child is denied any chance of success in life.” –book jacket

Pennhurst and the Struggle for Disability Rights edited by Dennis B. Downey and James W. Conroy

“Conceived in the era of eugenics as a solution to what was termed the “problem of the feeble-minded,” state-operated institutions subjected people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to a life of compulsory incarceration. One of nearly 300 such facilities in the United States, Pennhurst State School and Hospital was initially hailed as a “model institution” but was later revealed to be a nightmare, where medical experimentation and physical and psychological abuse were rampant. At its peak, more than 3,500 residents were confined at Pennhurst, supervised by a staff of fewer than 600. Beginning in the 1950’s, parent-advocates, social workers, and attorneys joined forces to challenge the dehumanizing conditions at Pennhurst. Their groundbreaking advocacy, accelerated in 1968 by the explosive televised exposé ‘Suffer the Children’, laid the foundation for lawsuits that transformed American jurisprudence and ended mass institutionalization in the United States. As a result, Pennhurst became a symbolic force in the disability civil rights movement in America and around the world. Using a blended narrative of essays and first-person accounts of survivors, parents, and activists, this compelling history will appeal both to those with connections to Pennhurst and to anyone interested in the history of institutionalization and the disability rights movement” –back cover

Disabling Interpretations: the Americans with Disabilities Act in Federal Court by Susan Gluck Mezey

“Susan Mezey argues that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has not fulfilled its potential primarily because of the judiciary’s “disabling interpretations” in adjudicating ADA claims. In a decade of litigation, judicial interpretation of the law has largely constricted the parameters of disability rights and excluded large numbers of claimants from the reach of the law. The Supreme Court has not interpreted the act broadly, as was intended by Congress, and this method of decision making has been for the most part mirrored by the courts below.

The high court’s rulings to expand state sovereign immunity and insulate states from liability in damage suits have also caused claimants to become enmeshed in litigation and have encouraged defendants to challenge other laws affecting disability rights. Despite the law’s strong civil rights rhetoric, disability rights remain an imperfectly realized goal.” –book jacket

Disabled Justice: Access to Justice and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiesby Eilionóir Flynn

“Disability offers a new lens through which to view the effectiveness of access to justice, and the inclusiveness of the justice system as a whole. This book analyses the experience of people with disabilities through the entire justice system, from making a complaint, to investigation, and through the court/tribunal process. It also considers the participation of people with disabilities in a variety of roles in the justice system – as witness, defendant, victim, plaintiff, lawyer, judge and juror. More broadly, it also critically examines the subtle barriers of access to justice which might exist in a given society – including barriers to grassroots disability advocacy, the right to vote, and the right to stand for election which may apply to people with disabilities. The study is international and comparative in scope with a focus primarily on examples of legal practice and justice systems in common law countries. The work will be of interest to scholars working in the areas of human rights, equality and non-discrimination, as well as legal professionals who work with people with disabilities to achieve access to justice” –book jacket

Twenty-two Cents an Hour: Disability Rights and the Fight to End Subminimum Wages by Doug Crandell

“In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act authorized the use of subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. While some states have banned their use, it remains legal federally. The program known as 14(c) has a long history of poor oversight and abuse. While disability rights have grown in the United States, this issue lags decades behind” –from publisher

A Lawyer’s Guide to Working with Special Needs Clients by Richard A. Courtney

“Persons with disabilities and their family members and caregivers face numerous challenges every day. They need help navigating difficult bureaucracies and developing plans for long-term care and financial security. There are many voices – including an array of financial professionals and attorneys – clamoring for their attention. These clients may find it challenging or impossible to determine who might best help them with their specific problems. For these reasons, attorneys who wish to engage in special needs planning must develop plans that will enable them to connect with those families and individuals. The special needs planning attorney needs to be an expert attorney, not an expert about every type of disability. That said, an attorney seeking to represent persons with disabilities or their family members will find it helpful to have a general understanding of the disability that the clients have identified before the clients arrive at their office. This book covers topics from understanding the special needs client, to understanding public benefits, to building a special needs practice.” –from publisher

06.03.25
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Book Display Breakdown: Pride Month

The College of Law Library is celebrating Pride Month! Observed during the month of June, Pride Month commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in June 1969 where patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City fought back against unjust police harassment. The first Pride parades were held a year later, as a call-to-action surrounding various issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community, and a remembrance of the events that took place at the Stonewall Inn. In celebration of Pride, the College of Law Library is putting up a display of books from our shelves relating to LGBTQ+ issues and experience in the United States. The display can be found next to the Reference desk, and the books included are listed below with brief descriptions. Feel free to view the display and check any of the books out to read for yourself!

To learn more about the history of Pride, see this article: What is Pride Month? A Short History of Pride | Them

Books on Display:

Out and About: The LGBT Experience in the Legal Profession by the American Bar Association

This book is a collection of essays from the perspective of members of the legal profession who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender. Through their varying experiences, readers can get insight into how LGBTQ+ lawyers, jurists, and other legal professionals navigate their experience in the field and how their diverse identities impact that experience.

Arresting Dress: Cross-Dressing, Law, and Fascination in Nineteenth-Century San Francisco by Clare Sears

“In 1863, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors passed a law that criminalized a person’s appearing in public in ‘a dress not belonging to his or her sex.’ Adopted as part of a broader anti-indecency campaign, the cross-dressing law became a flexible tool for policing multiple gender transgressions, facilitating over one hundred arrests before the century’s end. Over forty U.S. cities passed similar laws during this time, yet little is known about their emergence, operations, or effects.” -from book jacket.

This book argues that rather than policing normative gender practices, these laws actually created them by codifying definitions of gender into law.

Why Can’t Sharon Kowalski Come Home? by Julie Andrzejewski and Karen Thompson

“Five years ago, Sharon Kowalski was brain-damaged in an automobile accident. A court battle ensued between her family and her lover, Karen Thompson, whose attempt to file for guardianship and subsequent appeals were thwarted despite conclusive evidence as to the nature of the women’s relationship. The book demonstrates that the courts ignored affidavits by therapists who witnessed Thompson’s determination in rehabilitating Kowalski, yet allowed into evidence one doctor’s out-of-court deposition asserting that the patient would be exposed ‘to a high risk of sexual abuse’ if Thompson were allowed to visit. Chronicling Thompson’s uphill struggle against the sexism and homophobia that permeate this country’s institutions, this controversial work reveals one woman’s personal journey from closeted lesbian to feminist activist while reconciling her Christian beliefs with her own sexuality. This is an important book told with candor and warmth, with major implications into the legal rights of disabled persons and lesbians and gay men. Included here are forms and instructions to create a durable power of attorney. The coauthors are professors at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.” –Publisher’s Weekly

Queering Reproductive Justice by Candace Bond-Theriault

“The futures of reproductive justice and LGBTQIA+ liberation are intimately connected. Both movements were born out of the desire to love and build families of our choosing–when and how we decide. Both movements are rooted in broader social justice liberationist traditions that center the needs of Black and brown communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, gender-nonconforming folks, femmes, poor folks, parents, and all those who have been forced to the margins of society. Taking as its starting point the idea that we all have the human right to bodily autonomy, to sexual health and pleasure, and to exercise these rights with dignity, Queering Reproductive Justice sets out to re-envision the seemingly disparate strands of the reproductive justice and LGBTQIA+ movements and offer an invitation to reimagine these movements as one integrated vision of freedom for the future.” -provided by the publisher

The Politicization of Trans Identity: An Analysis of Backlash, Scapegoating, and Dog-Whistling from Obergefell to Bostock by Loren Cannon

“The politicization of trans identity—also affecting gender non-binary and gender non-conforming persons—is a form of backlash in response to the Obergefell Supreme Court ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage and increased LGBTQ equality. The Politicization of Trans Identity: An Analysis of Backlash, Scapegoating, and Dog-Whistling from Obergefell to Bostock provides a moral and conceptual analysis of this politicization and a discussion of the notions of backlash, scapegoating, dog-whistling, and virtue signaling in relation to this timely issue.” -from book jacket

Banning Transgender Conversion Practices: A Legal and Policy Analysis by Florence Ashley

“Survivors of conversion practices–interventions meant to stop gender transition–have likened these to torture. In the last decade, bans on these deeply unethical and harmful processes have proliferated, and governments across the world are considering following suit. Banning Transgender Conversion Practices considers pivotal questions for anyone studying or working to prevent these harmful interventions. What is the scope of the bans? How do they differ across jurisdictions? What are the advantages and disadvantages of legislative approaches to regulating trans conversion therapy? How can we improve these prohibitions? Florence Ashley answers these questions and demonstrates the need for affirmative health care cultures and detailed laws that clearly communicate which practices are banned. Banning Transgender Conversion Practices centers trans realities to rethink and push forward the legal regulation of conversion therapy, culminating in a carefully annotated model law that offers detailed guidance for legislatures and policymakers.”-provided by the publisher

05.14.25
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Book Display Breakdown: Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The month of May marks Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration recognizing the contributions, culture, and history of people of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent in the United States. Originally established as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in 1978, the celebration was extended to be a month long in 1992, and the month of May chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in the 1800s. The Law Library is joining in the celebration with a display of books relating to AAPI history and culture, straight from our own stacks. Please stop by to take a look at the display, and even check out a book for yourself! The display is located next to the reference desk on the 5th floor.

Here’s a list of the books that are currently on display:

NCRR: the Grassroots Struggle for Japanese American Redress and Reparations by Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress

After the mass incarceration of Japanese-Americans into internment camps during the period of the United States’ involvement in World War II, the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations (NCRR) was established in order to advocate for justice for the victims and their families. This book dives into the origins of the NCCR, their grassroots efforts that ultimately led to the passing of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and their continuing impact in this country.

Margins and Mainstreams: Asians in American History and Culture by Gary Y. Okihiro

Throughout a series of essays, Okihiro examines Asian-American history through the lens of what it means to be on the “margins” of a multicultural society and expected to conform to the “mainstream.” Using comparative analysis relating the experiences of Asian-Americans to that of other marginalized groups in the United States, Okihiro calls for a reshaping of the field of Asian-American studies.

Late Bloomers: a novel by Deepa Varadarajan

This is the debut novel of GSU College of Law faculty member Deepa Varadarajan! Late Bloomers focuses on the complex and interwoven lives of an Indian-American family in the wake of the parents’ divorce after thirty-six years of marriage.

The Rise and Fall of America’s Concentration Camp Law: Civil Liberties Debates from the Internment to McCarthyism and the Radical 1960s by Masumi Izumi

Izumi connects the precedent set by Japanese Internment in the United States to the passing of the Internal Security Act of 1950, an act that legalized preventative detention in the United States, and was used to expand the use of surveillance during the era of McCarthyism. 

Local story: the Massie-Kahahawai Case and the Culture of History by John P. Rosa.

Rosa uses the backdrop of the Massie-Kahahawai case of 1931-1932 to analyze the ways in which Asian immigrants, Native Hawaiians and white American military personnel interacted in US-annexed Hawaii.

Strangers from a Different Shore: A History of Asian Americans by Ronald Takaki

Takaki uses the format of narrative history to give a sweeping account of the diversity of the Asian-American experience in the United States, from the era of the transcontinental railroad to the modern day.