But I Was Wearing A Suit

A grassroots project of a group of Indigenous Lawyers, with the support of CLEBC and the Law Society of BC.
To encourage discussion about stereotyping and bias within the legal profession, Indigenous lawyers were asked to submit their stories about the racism and stereotyping they have faced in the practice of law.

[@ruichen1929]

Those stories are just heartbreaking. Thanks to all those who shared/gave voice to the stories.

[@scottmainprize1655]

This should be required viewing as part of licencing processes for lawyers and paralegals in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada.

[@thegingerbreadman1043]

I'm watching this currently as it's required material for my Juris Doctor study.

[@mcglass7573]

Than you for telling your stories of racism within the courts and legal profession. They were moving and all Canadians need to see them, hear them.

[@misssunshineyday]

yes, heartbreaking and brings tears to my eyes...

[@kenjones9765]

Valuable. Thank you for giving a taste of how it can be. It is not a good taste, but will help people to better appreciate what needs to be done (and changed). It has helped me.

[@cdoyle1034]

Thank you for producing this.

[@KatherineHugs]

As a young female lawyer, I was consistently assumed to be a client or a legal secretary. Very frustrating!!

[@jotrutch]

"The story of the relationship between First Nations and colonial settlers in this province is not a short one, nor is it a sweet one. Throughout British Columbia, First Nations people remember the loss of land and possessions, and the deceit of colonial governments to achieve their will." Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard), 40th Parl, 3rd Sess, Vol 16 No 2 (23 October 2014) at 4860-4861 (John Joseph Horgan) "[a]fter the colony of British Columbia was established[...] Many newcomers made their way into the Interior[...] some brought with them an even greater danger. That was smallpox, which [...] was spread intentionally." Official Report of Debates of the Legislative Assembly (Hansard), 40th Parl, 3rd Sess, Vol 16 No 2 (23 October 2014) at 4860 (Christy Clark). Clark and Horgan are talking specifically about the conduct of the BC law society membership. The society should be disbanded, and BC's law profession managed by Ottawa

[@travishughes3230]

I have witnessed this kind of stuff all the time. BTW never not with a white male judge except one time. It was a female judge race no comment said "I wouldn't sentence your client to no alcohol probation because" I cannot remember the term she used let's indigenous because I cannot recall that part verbatim let's say that she did indigenous-which she did not. Because they have a hard time with alcohol and I don't want to set him up for a breach. So talk to your client and see if he prefers a fine. It was 2007 I was a gassed. But I did and he said "probation" . unbelievable-true story.

[@jennabeez]

Lawyers need to stop being so territorial about their "areas". The gate-keeping and policing of people who may or may not belong there is ridiculously presumptuous, especially basing that on someone's race. It's a shame in our profession.

[@francesbernard2445]

I wonder what Ruth Bader must have been often experiencing too. Has anyone else as of late seen 3 men standing in a row in a public place while in that instant when the photograph was taken the 3 of them were displaying odd body language while they were facing something together? Was that because of problems with gait or was it because of their joy while believing they were already well prepared to cope with whatever?

[@stevenkeyes8026]

Ken and I watched this

[@JoeT001]

the very staff needs to held responsible for their action of ethical representative of the so-called Colonial court process through Latin stand point,.. funny that no one ever held them accountable,.. I guarantee, if they were ever accosted in such vain circumstances, they sure would have jumped on those prejudice action, for at least compensation,.. and add up a pretty penny, for fame and glory of the ego,.. 10:32 Raymond Lee's readings, suggesting that lawyers have triple standards based on legal representations, of his very last part of his comment,.. ",... not like we do,.." I believe suggestively threats of excusing the professional conduit of the lawyers in BC, have always been in turn to character assassinate the causes of true justice seeking by First Peoples. (at one I hoped the First Nations Lawyers Association would have gotten off the ground,. I don't know what happened to that association. ) why isn't there any real men,.. lol not every one wants to be chief,.. lol Vernon,.. HUH??? I remember that,..

[@JoeT001]

colonial system won't allow be allowing traditional acknowledgement,.. latin first is their motto,.. How many are a member of the law society, why isn't there a strong voice today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this society is just a society ,.. challenge their status quo as their society,. wow,.. if there is a lot of you,.. your vote can make changes,.. Victoria as well,... as a whole society needs their hands and faces shown,..

[@billparker7283]

I watched all the comments and they demonstrate to quite clearly the both sides of this non issue, if there are two sides reflect the assumptions of both parties it surely are best cleared by a simple assertion that “I was called to the bar of British Columbia on such a date” but thanks for asking

[@billparker7283]

I should note there obviously chips on the shoulders of these people and it’s a shame that the ordinary tact and diplomacy of counsel should prevent this unfortunate exchange.

[@st.johnmccloskey2612]

@Bill Parker Did you watch the video friend? Most of these stories are from people who do stand up and say "I am a lawyer" and that does not clear things up. Not to mention, the mere asking makes people feel unwelcome and out-of-place. As a profession, we (and I in particular as a male settler) need to confront the fact that many people who are lawyers are made to feel, or as we saw in the video explicitly told, that being a lawyer is a club for settlers, or for men, or whatever. What about @23:55 is a non-issue, and how can you "clear it up"? How can ordinary tact and diplomacy (presumably, you are suggesting on the part of the young indigenous lawyer) prevent that unfortunate exchange? How can you say that people being treated so disgracefully have a "chip on the shoulder," when they are asked by the law society to share their story for the benefit of the whole profession?

[@private2809]

@@st.johnmccloskey2612 colonizers like Bill treat anyone who isnt them as simply an upset child. We do not have chips on our shoulders, we have history and wounds and a demand for justice. It really just goes to show how they dismiss their children tbh.

[@jotrutch]

bill here is just another David Irving -- a grifter of zero value.