Beverly Johnson

I am passionate about social injustice, which is why I decided to major in Sociology. My concern with social injustice has also led me to explore topics that deal with types of social inequality in my academic writing. Sociology, as a field of study, shines a light on issues that are not always visible in our everyday lives. I have not only personally benefited from being exposed to such issues, but my interest in becoming a lawyer has only deepened. Since age seven, I have shared with my family  that I wanted to be a lawyer. Now, as sophomore in college, my aspiration has remained unchanged. I want to take my sociology degree and enroll in law school to become a defense attorney. When looking at the criminal justice system, we should look beyond our own individual interests, or the circumstances surrounding the alleged offender, and instead evaluate how social conditions and social context can influence our lived experience. Sometimes, we have the tendency to overlook such factors, which can effect an individual’s life chances. I feel that in order to be a fair and just lawyer, I need to have this background in order to truly represent someone and influence their future. At the Dakota Center, here in Dayton, I mentor young people. I constantly talk to them about taking school seriously. I remind them that some may want them to fail; and if they don’t do their work, they’re giving those individuals exactly what they want. I encourage them to follow in my footsteps and get as much knowledge as possible, as no one can ever take that away. My efforts for change may seem small, but I can continue to make a difference.