Harvard BLSA -- is it cool for an AA not to join? Forum

rgndvo · Post by **rgndvo** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:37 am

I know Harvard has one of the biggest BLSA chapters in the country, and that AA students are strongly encouraged to join. I also know that I often have trouble fitting in with other African Americans; I am only a quarter AA and have been told I don't "look black" (though I definitely don't look white, either). I had a rather unfortunate experience with some of the black student associations at my current university. That's not to say that -- with one exception of a person who blurted out: "Whoa... You ain't black!" -- they were rude to me, but they didn't seem to view me as one of them.

I'm wondering if it's kosher to politely decline to participate? I'm proud of my heritage, and certainly not necessarily set on this path, but will not want to participate if my experience is similar in AA law school associations as it was in the undergraduate equivalent. However, I don't want to alienate any part of the student body or come out as an enemy of BLSA.

Thank you for your intelligent replies to this sensitive issue.

dkt4 · Post by **dkt4** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:35 am

there's no reason you have to do it, although it's probably a useful resource should you choose to do so. just don't show up to events if you don't want to. that kind of ostracism is pretty infrequent in my experience, so you may want to check it out at least once before deciding.

rgndvo · Post by **rgndvo** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:44 am

I definitely will at least try it out. Thanks for the advice.

Tiago Splitter · Post by **Tiago Splitter** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 1:21 pm

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... m.php?f=14

shoeshine · Post by **shoeshine** » Sat Sep 03, 2011 1:26 pm

No one cares whether you join or not.

HeavenWood · Post by **HeavenWood** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:37 pm

dkt4 wrote:there's no reason you have to do it, although it's probably a useful resource should you choose to do so. just don't show up to events if you don't want to. that kind of ostracism is pretty infrequent in my experience, so you may want to check it out at least once before deciding.

TITCR (speaking as a Jew at least, although I would imagine the networking advantages would be comparable)

kahechsof · Post by **kahechsof** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:41 pm

Do whatever the heck you want

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 3:45 pm

Nobody is going to care if you join or not, and no one will say

rgndvo wrote:"Whoa... You ain't black!"

if you do join.

I'm officially part of HLS' BLSA, but am barely involved at all.

dr123 · Post by **dr123** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:36 pm

Worry about getting into hls first

TaipeiMort · Post by **TaipeiMort** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:49 pm

You should start a WLSA and then attend both.

bk1 · Post by **bk1** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 4:49 pm

dr123 wrote:Worry about getting into hls first

ahduth · Post by **ahduth** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:57 pm

bk187 wrote:
dr123 wrote:Worry about getting into hls first

Wait, you're not actually at Harvard right now?

Here I was going to explain that if you're not joining the **LSAs that give away the most food, you're doing it wrong.

Now I find out you're not even doing it at all!

dr123 · Post by **dr123** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 5:58 pm

ahduth wrote:
bk187 wrote:
dr123 wrote:Worry about getting into hls first

Wait, you're not actually at Harvard right now?

Here I was going to explain that if you're not joining the **LSAs that give away the most food, you're doing it wrong.

Now I find out you're not even doing it at all!

OP hasnt even applied yet

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1#p4736631

Bildungsroman · Post by **Bildungsroman** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 6:11 pm

As another poster who isn't going to Harvard next year I have the same question as the OP.

rgndvo · Post by **rgndvo** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:10 pm

Point taken, -- even if y'all were a bit glib about it

. But I don't think it's improbable that I'd be at Harvard in 2012; I'm an AA male 3.55 167, and am now (after finally paying up for a big prep course) PT-ing in the low-mid 170's. Harvard is also my first choice.

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