Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., minister, activist, and political philosopher, who played a vital role in shaping civil rights reforms of the 1960s. January is also National Poverty Awareness Month, a time to reflect on those less fortunate. Though Dr. King’s life was cut short on April 4, 1968, and the political winds of change shifted course from a focus on poverty to an emphasis on the Vietnam War, the lasting currents of his work still run through the discourse surrounding anti-poverty efforts today. Debates over Universal Basic Income have reemerged — including in Harris County — as have policy discussions surrounding affordable housing and a higher minimum wage. Following the lead of several major cities throughout the nation, Harris County is implementing an innovative pilot program called Uplift to offer guaranteed basic income for nearly 2,000 households in 10 zip codes throughout the region.
Read moreThe Mandela Effect and the Law
The Mandela Effect occurs when large groups of people share a collective delusion about some historical event or cultural experience. How does this collective misremembering happen and why is relevant today? Psychology has attempted to explain the reasons for our mistaken memories, as have other fields of study including philosophy, metaphysics, and neuroscience, but what about the law?
Read moreHoliday Literary Classics in the Public Domain
We at the Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library wish all of our library patrons and visitors, as well our law library colleagues, our community partners, the legal community, and the residents of Harris County, a warm and joyous holiday season and a prosperous, happy new year. As you gather to celebrate the season, you may wish to visit an old literary classic. Consider the following list of reading materials, available in the public domain on the Project Gutenberg website, when looking for a holiday story to enjoy.
Read moreABA Profile of the Legal Profession: A Closer Look at Civil Legal Aid
On November 30, 2023, the American Bar Association released its fifth annual Profile of the Legal Profession. This free report, a 140-page compilation of statistics and trends about lawyers, judges, and law students, includes sections on demographics, wages, law schools, judges, pro bono work, women in the profession, legal technology, lawyer well-being, and lawyer discipline. One additional chapter — a review of civil legal aid in the United States — is the feature we wish to explore in today’s blog post.
Read moreNational Cocoa Day - December 13
When the blustery winds blow steadily from the north and a dusting of snow carpets the ground, it’s easy to picture a scene from a Hallmark holiday movie – people strolling down a festive street, cups of hot cocoa warming mittened hands. It certainly seems appropriate that National Cocoa Day falls on December 13, the time of year when the days are getting longer and colder and when bakers and confectioners are whipping up dreamy, chocolatey concoctions. As picture-perfect this scene might be, let’s step away from this winter wonderland and take a moment to examine cocoa through a legal lens, revealing in the process that cocoa does indeed have a darker side.
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