FCR 12: "Accessibility matters because the law applies to everyone."
The Family Court Report's 2024 Fellow Jinie Chon finds inspiration in her first-gen roots, brings philosophy to her legal advocacy, and is not here for warm fruit.
Over here at The Family Court Report we have been BUSY. We have a new website - FamilyCourtReport.org - and, drumroll please…our small but mighty team has grown to TWO.
I am thrilled to announce that Jinie Chon is our 2023-24 Reporting Fellow. Please join me in offering her the warmest of welcomes!
Jinie will be pitching and reporting stories through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens on all things Family Court. She will also be working alongside me to invite our FCR community of readers, protective parents, youth, Family Court professionals, and policy advocates to join us in these complex conversations.
To kick off these engagements, Jinie will be joining me for a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting and the future of The Family Court Report. Video coming soon! If you have a question for Jinie, you can leave it in the comments below or email it to thefamilycourtreport@gmail.com. Remember to include your name and where you’re located. Your question might be included in the video.
Jinie is a second-year honors student at the University of Washington. She is double majoring in law and philosophy with a specialization in ethics. Previously, Jinie was a researcher with the UW Evans School for Public Policy and Governance where she designed experiments around social psychology, stigmatized identities, and DEI initiatives in public institutions.
In addition to her role with FCR, Jinie is also currently an intern with the Washington State Human Rights Commissioner, a council member of the UW College of Arts & Science Dean Advisory Board, and a Citizenship Practice Interviewer for first-generation immigrants with Literacy Source. Originally from South Korea, Jinie now lives in Seattle where she enjoys museum visits, reading, and travel planning.
Jinie and I sat down recently and talked about legal access, the ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and acceptable pizza toppings. You can find highlights from our conversation below.
FCR: Ensuring that understanding laws and making sure legal processes are accessible fuels much of your work. Why does accessibility matter? Where did this passion come from?
JC: My passion for this issue stems from personal experiences, especially as a first-generation immigrant. Witnessing the challenges my family faced navigating unfamiliar legal systems ignited a deep-seated commitment to breaking down barriers.
I believe strongly in democratizing legal knowledge by making laws accessible to all regardless of the backgrounds people come from. I also believe in fostering a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone can comprehend and assert their legal rights.
Accessibility matters because the law applies to everyone. Ensuring understanding and access to and understanding of legal processes is necessary to build a just society.
FCR: You're double majoring in law and philosophy with a specialization in ethics. Where do you see law and philosophy overlapping or complementing each other? Why ethics?Â
JC: I believe that law and philosophy share a symbiotic relationship, mutually informing and enhancing each other. The combination of law and philosophy provides a more comprehensive picture of the legal system but also its impact on everyday people in the community. Having a foundation in philosophy enables me to engage in important ethical discussions within legal practice and advocate for reforms in law.
For instance, when engaging in conversations about new technology such as Artificial Intelligence, I am able to analyze issues from both legal and ethical viewpoints. Legally, AI introduces questions of privacy rights, employment laws, potential liability issues, and more. Ethically speaking, the introduction of AI introduces questions about the moral implications of automated decision-making, the potential for bias in algorithms, and the broader societal impact on employment and human dignity and agency.
In this way, the combination of law and philosophy enriches the understanding of any societal issues, allowing for a more comprehensive and socially, and ethically conscious approach to law and public policy.
FCR: You previously conducted research with the UW Evans School for Public Policy and Governance where you designed experiments around social psychology, stigmatized identities, and DEI initiatives in public institutions. Is there an experience from that work that stands out to you in terms of shaping your vision for the work you want to focus on moving forward?
JC: My research at the UW Evans School was a truly transformative experience. A memorable experience for me was designing a study that examined the effects of Confederate memorabilia on Black and White American voters. This study demonstrated the intricate dynamics of symbols in influencing voter perceptions and highlighted the need for nuanced discussions around historical symbols in contemporary contexts.
The data collected from the study suggested that both White and Black voters felt a decreased sense of comfort in response to Confederate memorabilia. However, there was no change in voting intentions or perceived value of vote for White voters. In contrast, Black voters felt less inclined to vote, felt their vote was less valued, and even expressed a desire to vote at another location.
The conclusions drawn from this study motivate me to continue exploring the intersection of symbols, identity, and public perception in my future research.
FCR: Who are your role models?Â
JC: My role models in the law and justice space are ordinary individuals who actively participate in the legal system, as their journeys underscore the inherent difficulties in navigating complex legal processes. These unsung heroes face challenges such as financial constraints, lack of resources, and sometimes, systemic barriers. Yet, their perseverance in seeking justice, often against formidable odds, serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience within communities. I find inspiration in their determination and commitment, recognizing the profound impact of their everyday efforts on the pursuit of fairness and equity.
FCR: What's something unexpected about you that your academic and professional colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?Â
JC: Colleagues might be surprised to learn that I have a passion for traveling and interacting with new people and places. Amid my academic and professional pursuits, exploring new places and immersing myself in different cultures is a source of joy and inspiration. It adds a dimension to my life that complements the more structured and formal aspects of my work, revealing a side that appreciates spontaneity and the richness of diverse experiences.
FCR: If you could make any food combination illegal, what would it be and why?Â
JC: It would be pizza with pineapple (or any fruit besides tomato). I know it’s a hot take - the debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza has been sparking intense culinary conversations. However, I strongly dislike the taste of warm fruit, especially coupled with savory food like pizza. ⬛
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Thrilled to join the FCR team and even more excited about pitching and reporting on the U.S. Family Court System. Stay tuned!