2018 Last Lecture Series | Paul Butler

In a last lecture to the HLS Class of 2018, Visiting Professor Paul Butler ’86, author of "Chokehold: Policing Black Men," delivered a talk on April 18 titled "A Litany for Survival" about how his experiences growing up on the Southside of Chicago and as a criminal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. informed his critique of the criminal legal process.

Sponsored annually by the 3L and LL.M. Class Marshals, the Last Lecture Series is a Harvard Law School tradition where selected faculty members impart insight, advice, and final words of wisdom to the graduating class. This year's speakers are: Jody Freeman; Alex Whiting; Carol Steiker; and Paul Butler.

[deephillips]

I respect Paul Butler and appreciate him sharing his knowledge with the world. Smart and caring man

[fabianmcintyre]

To the staff members of the Harvard Law School, and Professor Paul Butler thanks for sharing your inspirational videos. As I always say because it's true, every day I look for inspiration to use to motivate myself to pursue my dream to be a lawyer. Be that as it may, I have a learning disability. But I've learned to live with it because yet I am still alive and I am happy.

It doesn’t stop me from living. It doesn't mean I can’t accomplish my dream to be a lawyer. In fact, when I become a lawyer, am going to be a nonpartisan lawyer who seeks the truth, and make a difference. In addition, I believe practicing the law is the best profession to resolve legal disputes. When I am a lawyer, I am going to use the law as a weapon, as an aid to serve people, and a tool to resolve problems within our communities because it is my dream career.

[feleciasharpe]

Ah, so inspiring to me. Professor Paul Butler is strong, he is amazing he is a representative of good. Here's to you Professor Paul Butler. You are a true warrior! Professor Paul Butler gives us hope because he is from the tribe of Judah the true lawgivers.

[peterj.andros]

Paul Butler is wonderful. I love the guy.

[ms.sharon.]

If you're living n Cambridge and need help do not call the police there, especially if you're black. I hope the cops that beat, and tortured, these black men have lived a life of suffering. Like the men they tortured and killed. Mr. Butler is an inspiration to young black children wanting to be a lawyers. Thank you sir. A brilliant man.

[marilynbridgland]

Paul Butler...if the whole world were like you it would be Paradise. But then we wouldn't know it was Paradise without experiencing such hatred to one another. R E S P E C T ...for all humanity would be Bliss.
From Australia with respect 🤗

[bobjary]

I could listen to him joining the dots all day. His voice has resonance as well as his words

[starling]

In other words Professor Butler is the Man

[cestlaviethepodcast]

I hope this prof butler runs for a public office even better a world or united nation post

[timestickgetherthomas]

I hope that Mr. Paul Butler will do a lecture on our BLACK COLLEGE ATHLETES MAKING EVERYBODY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, and they don't get a penny. The coaches, the assistant coaches, the colleges, the news commentators, the TV networks, and now sports betting, all becoming millionaires, and billionaires off the backs, and hard work of our young black athletes. Nothing about this is fair. Our Athletes should be getting paid, more than those petty scholarships because they could pay their own way through college if they were getting paid for their hard labor.

[mikeandrew]

SUBSCRIBED thanks to paul butler lecture on " No Standard National Police Standards" EXCELLENT. Thx

[homelandfreedom]

He is a black man we know i dnt see him as a black man i see him as a man caring concerned honest straight up all man real man
My family member marched with mlk fought for civil rights

[homelandfreedom]

I could use you as my lawyer for rights violation profiling mal treatment for disability

[victormaidah]

This is the first time i did nit like a speaker.
The funny part, without hearing him, i would assume i would really like him .
Anger should not be the reason to administer the law.

[simonblanco]

That was messed up when the professor got arrested.

[dsolo]

Pay for Harvard, get community college lecture.

[DJTejasMusic]

Man this guy looked like Dwayne Johnson at first.

[jonathanjones]

You have no true ideal who this man is and all he has done for all races, do your studies.

[njosborne]

You’re looking good.
I expect, to not be heard over the
Arrogance of, too many people’s Ego.
True enough Brother, Mr.Butler,
As a 74 year old white man,
from another mother,
It occurred to me, the Republican Party,
Believes, President Obama is “Uppity”
(Among other things).
WHY⁉️
For,
He attained a dream of a Free American’s!!!
And that’s, The Threat to them all.
For if ONE becomes FREE,
Than so shall
We The People
of the United States
Are beyond just
being another box in
Their crusher!
WE, The
Thousands in the Streets,
Shall Be Free‼️
And like terrible poetry,
it terrifies the shit
Out of the Police Unions‼️

[arlethajoseph]

I Love that intelligent ppl did not respond to neg comments