I Don't Like It Here

Today is day two of being in Columbia, South Carolina. I am extremely bored, there's nothing to do, and I don't know anyone here. It's extremely annoying listening to other attorney's talk about themselves, and how much they know or have accomplished. For the most part, I go to the scheduled classes, and then return to my room. But I realized something last night, and this morning. Last night, there was a conference dinner that everyone had to attend. Everyone around me talked to each other and I just sat there not engaging in conversation. I really didn't want to talk to anyone because as soon as I say I am from New Orleans, all they want to talk about is Hurricane Katrina and its effects on the city. If I said more than eight words, I said a lot. When I came back to my room, I realized that I am the one with the problem. I have always believed there was nothing interesting enough about me to keep someone's attention, and as a result, I don't socialize in social settings. This morning I realized that my purpose here is to learn how to be a better attorney, and work in groups. So this morning I tried a different approach. I participated in class discussions and came to the harsh realization that my perception of people and the world is totally different than the other attorney's in my group. Granted there were many things that I didn't agree with, particularly when it came to jury selection, but I also realized there is a racial line that white male attorney's hate to tread. Or maybe they just don't like to admit its there. Funny thing is, I wanted to exclude the black male jurors, but I couldn't get them to understand why. So finally I explained that jury selection, in my opinion, is not about who I like most, but who identifies more with the victim, and who identifies more with the defendant. Race as well as other factors will always play a role in that. I understand its a gray area no one likes to discuss, and it has a tendency to make people feel uncomfortable. But it is what it is-reality.