Judge Dale “Bubba” Samuels
CMuCJ Immediate Past President
What is just is always right.
This is the inscription on my grandparents’ gravestone. I asked my Dad about the derivation of the saying, and he said as far as he knows, my Grandpa Jack coined the phrase. Some research reveals it was included in a speech by Andrew Carnegie in 1907, with the entire phrase being “what is just is always right; what is unjust, always wrong.”
We find ourselves leaders of a society at a precipice. Some might describe our current situation as being “at a crossroads.” To be sure, we are certainly at a point in our history as a society where important decisions about the future must be made, but we have all been at this particular crossroads our entire lives. While we have all lived and coped to varying degrees with the condition of ever-present racism, we know this crossroads is now a jumping-off point where standing still is no longer an option. Our society is looking to us as leaders to help our friends and neighbors navigate the unknown they fear. Justice must be our guide. What is just is always right.
The cliff, and the history that led us here, is a society infected by racism. And my friends in this Council have, in the kindest way possible, made sure that I know that I am not immune, no matter how hard I try. Empowered by our friends and colleagues in this association, and the knowledge that we are all required to help guide and support our society, we can “come out of this better than we were before,” as Chief Justice Melton recently suggested.
Of course, the global pandemic that has reshaped our lives and our courts in so many ways, has forced us all to reckon with new ways of doing and thinking about things. In much the same way, it is time for us to re-evaluate our societal norms, tear down what no longer functions effectively, and rebuild ourselves and our operations with a mindful eye towards helping the public we serve. As leaders, we are servants first, and I know we can serve all of our constituents better. This Council remains committed to helping each of us do just that.
It has been my honor to serve as your Council President in this sometimes tumultuous year. I am awfully glad to have had the support of an incredible leadership team, a Council of friends, and a deft and engaged Chief Justice and Judicial Council. Special thanks to your President-Elect, Judge Willie Weaver and Vice President, Judge Lori Duff, as well as the Administrative Office of the Courts and particularly, Ms. LaShawn Murphy, our handler, muse, confidant, manager, advisor, cheerleader, and friend. I know that our Council is in the best hands possible, and I wish them best of luck and much success in our continuing effort to make our world a little bit better for the people we serve. Let justice be our guide.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Best regards.
