Notes Toward a Critical Contemplation of Law

Authors

Sonia K. Katyal, Fordham University School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Columbia Journal of Race and Law

Volume

2

Publication Date

2012

Keywords

Derrick Bell, LGBT rights, equal protection, federal Indian law

Abstract

In this tribute to Professor Derrick Bell’s legacy, Professor Katyal reflects on one of Bell’s greatest gifts: the necessary, and perhaps unfinished gift of critical contemplation of law, along with its possibilities and its concomitant limitations. In her paper, Katyal reflects on two seemingly disparate areas of civil rights that might benefit from Bell’s critical vision: the area of LGBT rights and equality, and federal Indian law. Relying on some of Bell’s most valuable insights, Katyal calls for the creation of a “critical sexuality studies” and a “critical indigenous studies” that employs some of Bell’s groundbreaking lessons in reimagining broader and more inclusive concepts of equality and equal protection.

Recommended Citation

Sonia K. Katyal, Notes Toward a Critical Contemplation of Law, 2 Colum. J. Race & L. 20 (2012)
Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/faculty_scholarship/543