PEOPLES COLLEGE OF LAW COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY CLASS OF 2018

PEOPLES COLLEGE OF LAW COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY CLASS OF 2018

Brief musing on Scalia

In February, my Civil Procedure Professor sent our class a short exchange between him and another lawyer regarding the death of Antonin Scalia. They were both refreshing critical of the arch-reactionary Supreme Court Justice. I weighed in with my thoughts as well. They are reproduced here.

---

I'm not one to mince words when it comes to our reactionary ruling class, and tweeted this on Saturday after a friend texted me the good news.

I've read some of Antonin Scalia's racist opinions in our casebooks. That reactionary bigot is going straight to hell. #goodriddance

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) February 13, 2016

But discussions of individual members of the court, and their possible replacements, only consign us to what Professor Noam Chomsky refers to as "narrow confines of discourse." A more Freireian approach would be to ask why the Supreme Court exists and why do we allow this small group of individuals make decisions that effect each and every one of us so profoundly? Dr. Rob Hunter does precisely this in an amazing Jacobin essay The Supreme Court After Scalia, where he posits that collective struggle is far more important.

I strongly recommend the essay, and want to leave you with the following excerpt, that which I believe sums the entire issue.

“The Supreme Court is a bulwark of reaction. Its brief is to maintain the institutional boundaries drawn by the Constitution, a document conceived out of fear of majoritarian democracy and written by members of a ruling class acting in brazen self-interest.”

Brief musing on Scalia

How do I feel even after UCLA '14, Peoples College of Law, and passing the CalBar June '15 FYLSX?

How do I feel even after @UCLA '14, @peoplescollolaw, & passing the @StateBarCA June '15 #FYLSX? [img: Wakaba*Girl] pic.twitter.com/T4U8FI1027

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) August 17, 2015

How do I feel even after UCLA '14, Peoples College of Law, and passing the CalBar June '15 FYLSX?

Peoples College of Law Representing at UCLA Pre-Law Society’s Twenty-Third Annual Law Forum

UCLA Pre-Law Society’s Twenty-Third Annual Law Forum

I will be one of the representatives from Peoples College of Law (PCL) at The UCLA Pre-Law Society’s Twenty-Third Annual...

Posted by Robert D. Skeels on Friday, August 21, 2015

Peoples College of Law: Is Social Justice Law School for you?

"The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."—Frederick Douglass

If you’re a social justice minded person in Los Angeles, with at least two years of college credit, consider Peoples College of Law (PCL). PCL offers a four-year evening Juris Doctor program to accommodate working students. Successful completion of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program provides qualification to sit for the California State Bar exam. From their site:

Our recruitment and admissions policies are strongly directed toward socio-politically conscious Native American, Asian Pacific Islander, African-American/Black and Latina/o students. Our goal is to have a student body that is at least half women and two/thirds Third World People. Peoples College of Law affirmatively recruits LGBT applicants.

Peoples College of Law Representing at UCLA Pre-Law Society’s Twenty-Third Annual Law Forum

Community Justice Law-Scholarship By Francisco Chavo Romero

Community Justice Law-Scholarship By Francisco Chavo Romero

Community Justice Law-Scholarship By Francisco Chavo Romero

Is Social Justice Law School for you?

http://rdsathene.tumblr.com/post/121605284443/is-social-justice-law-school-for-you-ever

Is Social Justice Law School for you?

Ever consider wielding our oppressors’ weapons against them?

If you’re a social justice minded person in Los Angeles, with at least two years of college credit, consider Peoples College of Law (PCL). PCL offers a four-year evening Juris Doctor program to accommodate working students. Successful completion of the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program provides qualification to sit for the California State Bar exam. From their site:

Our recruitment and admissions policies are strongly directed toward socio-politically conscious Native American, Asian Pacific Islander, African-American/Black and Latina/o students. Our goal is to have a student body that is at least half women and two/thirds Third World People. Peoples College of Law affirmatively recruits LGBT applicants.

Is Social Justice Law School for you?

This morning saw me studying Sugiura Ayano style!

This morning saw me studying Sugiura Ayano style! @peoplescollolaw #lawschoolproblems Art by Namori. @BakkinAyano pic.twitter.com/TJzdNev5aW

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) May 18, 2015

Previously: When someone asks me "How's Law School?"

This morning saw me studying Sugiura Ayano style!

When someone asks me "How's Law School?"

Actually, there are boring classes and hellish tests that go with it.

When someone asks me "How's Law School?" @peoplescollolaw (img: To Aru Majutsu no Indekkusu) pic.twitter.com/GTwaBFAunZ

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) October 17, 2014

@rdsathene @peoplescollolaw hope contracts isn't one of those boring law school course

— Sharon Kyle (@smkyle1) October 18, 2014

@smkyle1 @peoplescollolaw of course not! Our professor is dynamic and engaging, making "contracts come alive!" ;)

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) October 18, 2014

@rdsathene @peoplescollolaw aw shucks :)

— Sharon Kyle (@smkyle1) October 18, 2014

Image: Kamijo Toma of To Aru Majutsu no Indekkusu

When someone asks me "How's Law School?"

This UCLA Alumni just stopped by Peoples College of Law for readings preparing for fall semester. Kinda sorry I asked.

This @UCLA_Alumni just stopped by @peoplescollolaw for readings preparing for fall semester. Kinda sorry I asked #PCL pic.twitter.com/BeOxGSStTR

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) July 1, 2014

This UCLA Alumni just stopped by Peoples College of Law for readings preparing for fall semester. Kinda sorry I asked.

So this 10th grade drop out who just graduated UCLA just got the news that they're a Peoples College of Law student!

So this 10th grade drop out who just graduated #UCLA 2014 just got the news they're a @peoplescollolaw law student! pic.twitter.com/IJuHqsP7eR

— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene)

June 27, 2014

I'm excited beyond words. I got the call that I was accepted around 8:00PM. This time last year I had no degree, and was anxious about returning to UCLA to finish up what I had started eighteen years earlier. Turned out that I'm still on top of my game academically. Now with a UCLA B.A. in Classical Civilization in hand, I'm getting ready to start at the same law school that one of my closest mentors graduated from in 1974. Peoples College of Law is a very special place, and an integral part of my community. I'm ready for this next step that will allow me to apply both my Freireian praxis and my social justice principles on a whole new level.

So this 10th grade drop out who just graduated UCLA just got the news that they're a Peoples College of Law student!

Finally graduated UCLA after being denied a diploma by Quintero in 1995

Submitted to the The Glendale News-Press on June 10, 2014

---

This Saturday I will be among the UCLA class of 2014 participating in our departmental commencement ceremonies at Royce Hall. In 1995 I was a senior at UCLA, and serving my seventh year as the Glendale Chamber of Commerce's Art Director. A part time student my entire tenure at the Chamber, they had always been very supportive of their employee's pursuing their education. I had been Alpha Gamma Sigma at Glendale Community College with a perfect 4.0 GPA, transfered to UCLA as an Honors Student, and was recruited by the Golden Key National Honors Society. My academic career looked bright, and my goal was to become a professor.

In 1995 incoming Chamber President Frank Quintero presented me a choice to resign my position or stop attending school. With no other means of financial support, I was left with no alternative but to drop out. I thought it would be temporary, and I'd find a way to return soon. I was baffled by Quintero's ultimatum since at the time he ran a 501C3 for Veterans called Alliance for Education. I was a U.S. Navy Veteran.

Eighteen years later I found myself with both daytime availability and the financial wherewithal to return to UCLA. On March 21, 2014 I was awarded a B.A. in Classical Civilization at the age of forty eight. I'm sure the trajectory of my life would have been quite different had I not been denied that opportunity earlier, but ultimately I was able to go back and finish. I was just featured in the graduation edition of the Daily Bruin, and I am currently in enrollment process at Peoples College of Law.

Finally graduated UCLA after being denied a diploma by Quintero in 1995

Robert D. Skeels featured in the UCLA Daily Bruin 2014 Graduation Issue and Radio

Stories of older students enrich UCLA’s Class of 2014

By Kathleen McGovern

Two of the oldest undergraduate students in UCLA’s Class of 2014 share their stories:

• Robert Skeels, 48, is one of the oldest returning undergraduate students to graduate this year. Despite the challenges of being a returning student, he chose to come back to UCLA and finish the degree in classical civilization that he began almost 20 years ago.

—
TRANSCRIPT:

SKEELS: I’m excited beyond words. I didn’t realize when I was 20-some-odd years old that I was lucky to get in here.

MCGOVERN: Robert Skeels transferred to UCLA in 1991. He is one of the oldest returning undergraduate students graduating this year.

SKEELS: You know, I felt kind of entitled at that age. Now at my age, I realize like just how fortunate I was to attend this university.

MCGOVERN: During his unfinished final year in 199[5], his job at the Glendale Chamber of Commerce changed its work policy. They told him he could no longer attend UCLA and keep his job. During his years away from school, he worked at an electronics firm and spent his free time serving his community by doing social justice activism. Last year, after running for a representative position on the board for L.A. Unified School District, his wife encouraged him to finish the three remaining classes he had been waiting on to get his degree.

SKEELS: She said, “If you lose, you have to go back and finish,” and I came back and I finished.

MCGOVERN: But starting school as a commuting student with a career and financial responsibilities wasn’t easy.

SKEELS: You have to be disciplined. It meant, you know, up till two, three in the morning and getting up «alarm» at six to study almost every day.

MCGOVERN: Now that Skeels is graduating as part of the class of 2014 with a bachelor’s in classical civilization, he plans on continuing his studies at People’s College of Law. It’s a small, four-year law school in his neighborhood for social justice activists. He also dreams of going to grad school to get a master’s or Ph.D. in art history. His return to school has allowed him to cherish his experience at UCLA this past year.

SKEELS: When I was younger, I was more wrapped up on just going through the motions and doing it. Coming backing, of course, I had an entirely different perspective. I love all the older buildings here. It’s nice to know that there’s things older than me.

MCGOVERN: He took pictures of everything to document his return. The opportunity to return and work on his degree is an accomplishment that, at the age of 48, he appreciates all the more.

SKEELS: I really savored, every moment that I was on campus. I don’t have the the words to describe how excited I am. I was kind of denied that opportunity when I was younger and to now come back and kind of achieve that – a lot of really joyous memories of being at UCLA, and who knows, maybe someday I’ll be back here for graduate school.

MCGOVERN: We Bruins truly belong to a diverse family with stories that go beyond our campus. Congratulations to the class of 2014. Forever Bruins.

For Daily Bruin Radio, I’m Kathleen McGovern.

Robert D. Skeels featured in the UCLA Daily Bruin 2014 Graduation Issue and Radio