Reflecting on the legacy of Civil Rights giant Judge Damon J. Keith

By Michelle Murphy
Graduate Ambassador, M.S.L. student

In February, the Wayne State University Law School showed the documentary Walk with Me: The Trials of Damon J. Keith, which chronicles the life, career and legacy of Federal Judge Damon J. Keith, an important figure to the American Civil Rights Movement and whose rulings reshaped civil liberties and racial equality in the U.S.

The film begins with Judge Keith's early life struggles being raised in Detroit and travels through his educational path from high school at Northwestern High in Detroit and law school at Howard University, then Wayne State to private practice and the federal bench. Damon J. Keith is the longest serving African American Judge in the nation. The film highlights key cases that defined Keith's jurisprudence and set in stone his legacy: ruling against segregation and discriminatory practice, protecting civil liberties against presidential overreach and other decisions that showed his determination to stand up for constitutional principles. Labeled as the first court decision to extend federal court-ordered busing to the North, Judge Keith ordered city-wide busing to desegregate Pontiac Schools in Michigan.

As I reflect on the showing of Walk with Me, I replay this quote in my head and think about my desire to make a difference: "One person can make a difference if you have the courage and power to do it." Watching the film caused me to look at my current path and where I'm headed and what kind of legacy I would like to leave behind. Although I wouldn't say that I have the same desire to be on the front lines of fighting for justice like Judge Keith was, I do want to be someone who helps change lives in a positive way. Currently completing the Master of Studies in Law program, I am nearing the end of my studies and looking forward to what's next.

I was so appreciative to find out that the Wayne State University Law School offers the Damon J. Keith scholarship to qualified students with one of the qualifications being that you had to attend a Detroit Public School or HBCU. What a remarkable way to give back to those that often have been underserved. Being a Detroit Public Schools graduate myself, this scholarship offers hope to those that may have believed that paying for law school is unattainable.

If you missed the February showing, stop by the Law School and check out the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, an addition to the Law School built in 2011. The Center showcases Judge Keith's career, the legal history of the Civil Rights Movement and gives a glimpse into the impact that he made, the relationships he built, and the powerful movement he participated in.