Throughout history, Blacks have had to overcome adversity on many levels. The obstacles in the 1980s posed as much difficulty as the challenges of the civil rights movement in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Black attorneys had to fight for every inch of ground gained in the courts and keep it close.
Battle of the 1980s
Black attorneys in the 1980s who fought for civil rights saw low pay and tedious work conditions. This meant that many talented minds didn’t seek to work in that realm of law. We can’t condemn those who chose not to work there because everyone wants betterment, and they went where the prosperity was greatest. However, Black attorneys had been called upon to once again assist the Black community in overcoming a system structured against them.
The 1980s became a point in Black history where the attorneys sought to put a toehold in economics for the community. They had to push for greater economic equality in the community. Progress from a state of powerlessness to empowerment. In the 1980s, while Blacks had gained ground in many areas, they remained powerless to protest, to politics and economic freedom.
Going into Law in Areas That Further the Black Community
The 1980s hoped for Black attorneys to enter areas of law that would have an economic impact on the community. For too long, Blacks had faced discrimination that made it difficult for them to overcome the challenges. Black attorneys had to specialize, renovate and associate to develop strongholds of power that had been denied to them for too long.
Issues stemming from wealth began to erupt during this time as Blacks began to earn more. For example, tax problems that Black athletes and entertainers faced became a real problem.
Entering Partnerships
Black attorneys in the 1980s had issues trying to strike it out on their own like many lawyers because of how they usually had limited funding. This often forced them to join up with the establishment that continued to leave the issues unaddressed. Partnerships helped them to avoid this because they could request higher fees and attract a greater variety of clients. They could also give solid business advice to Black business owners who worked in the community. Many times, Black businesses faced loan discrimination and many Black families didn’t have access to as much affluence because of hundreds of years of oppression that set them back.
At Prime Lawyers, we will act in your best interests. We have watched the legal battle that has taken place within the Black community as they have tried to bring themselves up to equal terms with others in society. In the 1980s and up to today, we still face many heartbreaking issues that we must try to address with wise choices. One of the things that the George Floyd case has taught us is that racism is alive and well. We must continue to fight against the system that allows abusers to escape without consequences.