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After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awarded Law License

By TChris, Section Social Justice
Posted on Fri Sep 29, 2006 at 12:48:38 PM EST
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by TChris

Lloyd Gaines sued to gain admission to the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Gaines wanted to be the all-white law school's first black student. His case made it to the Supreme Court in the separate-but-equal days of 1938. The Court ordered Missouri to admit Gaines or to make other arrangements for Gaines to receive an equal legal education in Missouri.

Disgusted by the "law school" that Missouri created for black students (occupying a building that formerly housed a beauty academy), Gaines moved to Michigan, where he earned a master's degree in economics. Gaines was last seen in October 1939. The mystery of his disappearance has never been solved.

Yesterday, the Missouri Supreme Court awarded Gaines a posthumous law license. Welcome to the profession, Attorney Gaines. You displayed the commitment to justice that should characterize the profession.

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    • After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awarded Law License | 4 comments (4 topical)
    Re: After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awa (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Sep 29, 2006 at 04:19:41 PM EST
    The University of Missouri-Columbia sucks. I lived there for nine years.

    Re: After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awa (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Sep 29, 2006 at 04:19:41 PM EST
    As a law student at the University of Missouri, I can say that this is long overdue. I'm proud that the state finally decided to recognize Mr. Gaines, despite the fact that he was never allowed to actually attend.

    Re: After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awa (none / 0) (#3)
    by chris on Fri Sep 29, 2006 at 04:42:00 PM EST
    Good for UMC Law.... nine years to get your degree huh? your parents must be proud...

    Re: After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awa (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Fri Sep 29, 2006 at 10:11:58 PM EST
    If he means nine years to get his degree that suggests that no one was supporting him. It , in fact,suggests he was working and supporting someone, probably family, possibly parents.

    After Presumed Death, Civil Rights Pioneer Awarded Law License | 4 comments (4 topical)