Public Defenseless 57: Why More People and Public Defenders Need to Think and Advocate Systemically w/Olayemi Olurin
This week, Hunter speaks with Olayemi Olurin—a political commentator, writer, activist, and public defender out of the New York Legal Aid Society. She has spent her career advocating for systematic change and brings with her a powerful perspective on the criminal justice system.
There are many common lies and misconceptions that circulate about public defense, reform efforts, and the criminal justice system as a whole. Olayemi will refute these lies and give you an inside glimpse into the true reality of the complicated legal system by walking you through the everyday injustices she faces.
She'll talk about her outreach work and the tactics she uses to change the perspectives of both stakeholders and the general public about why reform is important. Olayemi is dedicated to improving advocacy on a systematic level to combat negative and untrue narratives.
Olayemi dreams of a day when public defenders can truly be the voice of their clients. With her energy and passion, she is carving the path for change.
Key Topics and Takeaways:
- Olayemi describes her story of going into public defense. [7:28]
- Turning activism into effective policy. [12:28]
- How public defense misconceptions get spread. [31:17]
- Problems with how the justice system treats POC. [35:06]
- What's going on at Rikers Island. [39:07]
- Speedy trials. [47:46]
- How Olayemi changes perspectives. [51:00]
- Everyday injustices Olayemi sees as a public defender. [54:16]
Guest:
Olayemi Olurin, Public Defender, New York Legal Aid Society
Resources:
https://www.olayemiolurin.com/
Olayemi's appearance on The Young Turks
Eric Adams' POLICE STATE Is The Future Democrats Want, But Their Voters DON'T: Olayemi Olurin
Eric Adams' INCOMPETENT Rikers' Deaths Response Is An ATTACK On Due Process
Memorable Quotes:
"It's woefully insufficient for the black community to be, to be as overrepresented as we are in terms of incarceration, but underrepresented in the profession. We make a maybe 5% of attorneys." (11:39, Olayemi)
"I'm more concerned in shifting public consciousness. It doesn't matter to me what other attorneys think." (18:12, Olayemi)
"My emotional feeling in a state of when somebody pisses you off should not be a reflection of what our criminal system is or the larger consequences at the end of the day." (27:52, Olayemi)
"That's the problem. It's a society that's really just galvanized around whiteness and policing black and brown bodies." (35:27, Olayemi)
"The reality is, the only way power is maintained is by subjugating somebody else." (38:41, Olayemi)
"People often bring the criminal system into their lives because they don't understand how it works." (55:13, Olayemi)
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