[rhema]

Peter Swanson is a black Twin Cities attorney who was instrumental in bringing this sorry episode to light. He sees a larger problem with the two organizations' views on race.

"They seem to promote a stereotype that all members of certain racial groups think alike," he says. "Apparently, these organizations aren't interested in diversity. They are not interested in recruiting and retaining all minority lawyers -- just the ones with the proper attitudes."

[somniferum]

bump

[VOA]

Nice to see liberals eat their own for a change.

Even sweeter when it's lawyers.

[Gay State Conservative]

Wouldn't it be a hoot if the MAWL (Minnesota Association of White Lawyers) filed suit?

[RJL]

Remember, this is from the most liberal blue city in a blue state of liberal caring, sensitivity, understanding and tolerance.

Can't leave out the best part:

Got that, Maslon? Your presence in a group that promotes diversity is intolerable to those with supposedly enlightened views on race.

Some would say, however, that the Association of Black Lawyers practices its own version of discrimination.

This was on display at a July event the association cohosted with Diversity in Practice and five minority lawyers groups. The gathering was billed as a shrimp boil: "a celebration and summer social for attorneys of color in our legal community."This event is for minority attorneys, minority summer associates and minority law students," the invitation read. "No other guests, please. Thanks in advance for helping us focus this event on networking with our peers."

Translation: No whites allowed.

What a topsy-turvy world. The invitation clearly suggests that white lawyers -- even those associated with Diversity in Practice, its cohost and sponsor -- would be unwelcome because of their race.

What's more, the shrimp boil took place on public property, at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College. An intentionally racially segregated event at a tax-funded institution?