NYU Law Forum—Invisible Child: Lawyers, Journalists, and Social Justice

At this Forum, Andrea Elliott, a Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times journalist will discuss her just-published book, Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City, which has been heralded as a ground-breaking chronicle of the role of race and wealth inequality in the United States today. The book follows Dasani, a girl growing up in Brooklyn, where her family deals with homelessness, the challenges of New York City’s education system, and the dysfunction of the child protection system. Weaving in the history of Dasani’s family, from the enslavement of her ancestors to the Great Migration north, Elliott documents the unbreakable bonds of a family and the government systems that seem to undermine them at every turn. Professionals intervened in this family’s life again and again. What lessons might be drawn from those interactions? Joshua Goldfein ’93, who represented Dasani’s family and has brought several class-action lawsuits against New York City on behalf of the homeless, will join the conversation, which will examine both the potential and the limitations of lawyers and journalists seeking to advance social justice. Chris Gottlieb ’97, co-director of NYU Law’s Family Defense Clinic, will moderate.

Participants

Andrea Elliott, Investigative Reporter, New York Times

Joshua Goldfein ’93, Staff Attorney, Homeless Rights Project, The Legal Aid Society

Chris Gottlieb ’97, Co-Director, Family Defense Clinic, NYU School of Law (moderator)

To join this Forum as an audience member and receive a Zoom link, please register. If you would like to submit a question for the panelists, you may do so on the registration page. Note on accessibility: This virtual event requires an internet connection and a computer or smartphone. The event will have live captioning. If you need any accommodations, or for any questions, please contact Ian Anderson at ian.anderson@nyu.edu.