A Message From Your Bar Association President

Fellow Bar Members,

Just like you, I have been very troubled by the tragic events of the last couple of weeks and I feel compelled to reach out to you about it.  Please know that my words feel wholly inadequate to address effectively these events, but I want you to know the perspective of the person leading your Bar Association, albeit for only a little while longer, during this time.

The death of George Floyd was a needless tragedy that I believe highlights inequalities and injustices that must be addressed in order for our country to live up to its fundamental principles of liberty and justice for all.  Our culture at the Brazoria County Bar Association leaves no room for racism, injustice, or hatred.  Each of us was sworn in prior to becoming attorneys, where we pledged to support the Constitutions of the United States, and of Texas, “…so help us God”.
For those of us who are people of faith, I am reminded of a teaching I learned during my religious school studies:  Whoever destroys a soul…it is considered as if they destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life…, it is considered as if they saved an entire world.  Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5; Yerushalmi Talmud 4:9.  The Divine Spark of God that I believe is in all of us reminds us we are all God’s children and we are sisters and brothers put here on earth to love one another and our Creator.  The brighter we let our Divine Spark shine, and specifically when we all shine the light on injustice, the greater our opportunity to change injustice to justice.
I have faith that justice will ultimately prevail in our world, and I pray through our words and actions, we seek justice in all of our lives.
May God bless you and your families, and thank you for making the Brazoria County Bar Association the great place that it is.
Sincerely,
David Smith, President
Brazoria County Bar Association, Inc.