James	Barnes

UM Law Professors Osamudia James and Mario L. Barnes will be presenting papers at Duke University School of Law on January 23, 2009 as part of a conference titled “Race and Socio-Economic Class: Unraveling an Increasingly Complex Tapestry.” 

The conference is being sponsored by the Law and Contemporary Problems (L&CP) journal and the Jean E. and Christine P. Mills Conversation Series on Race. Scholars from a wide range of legal fields will reflect on the ways in which racism has contributed to socio-economic disadvantage and, conversely, the ways in which socio-economic disadvantage has spurred on racism. In addition, participants will consider the role of the law in reinforcing these dynamics and suggest creative legal interventions that are likely to produce better future outcomes.

Professor James’ paper, co-authored with Professor Angela Onwuachi-Willig of the University of Iowa College of Law, focuses on the deployment of class and race in the 2008 presidential election.  Professor Barnes’ paper, written with Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Irvine School of Law, analyzes the disparate constitutional jurisprudence regarding race and class discrimination.  Both papers will appear in a forthcoming, faculty-edited volume of L&CP.

Click here to view the conference program.

posted 15-January-2009