Cynthia Delostrinos (1L)

Seattle Office for Civil Rights

Seattle, WA

Cynthia is working as an Enforcement Intern for the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. As an intern, she investigates allegations of discrimination to determine whether or not an individual has been a victim of illegal discrimination. She also gets hands on experience working behind the scenes of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative. She is committed to addressing the racial disparities that exist within government institutions, and to use the law as a tool to promote equity.

August 5, 2011

I have had some very interesting research projects this summer at the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. For one of my cases I had to research how courts have ruled when a noose is present in the workplace, in an employment discrimination case. I was able to find a case from New York that was right on point. The judge ruled that a noose in the workplace, even when up for a 3 day period and taken down when complained of, is severe and pervasive enough to create a hostile work environment. Its severity lies in the deep history of violence of lynch mobs, and the fear that it creates is real because the effects of racism are still felt in this country. Although the case was not binding precedent, it still was very helpful persuasive precedent for the case I am working on.

Another research project involved figuring out whether women-only swim times at a public pool could lead to violations of our Public Accommodations anti-discrimination laws. The swims were offered in response to a large need for recreational activity for women whose religion would not allow them to swim with men. This issue was more difficult to address because there was a lack of case law on this issue. While it seemed that it would create a problem, since a male would have to be turned away from these women-only swim times, I felt that providing an accommodation for women who would otherwise not be offered the opportunity, furthers goals of public accommodation rather than violating them.

Being able to work with issues that I am passionate about has been such an amazing experience for me. I am always happy to come to work, and excited for what the day may entail. I love all of the amazing people that I get to work with and learn from. I am glad I get an opportunity to share with you all what I have been experiencing as an intern with the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.

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June 28, 2011

I am currently in my 6th week here at the Seattle Office for Civil Rights and I really enjoy the time I am spending here. I like the work, the people, and overall being a part of this office. I couldn't have picked a more perfect place to spend my summer.

I was given the title of "Enforcement Intern" because I work mainly with the Enforcement Team that investigates cases of discrimination. Anyone who experienced an adverse effect of discrimination within the Seattle city limits can file a case of discrimination for free with us. I was given my own two cases to investigate, one of them involves employment and the other is public accommodations. My employment case involves a noose being tied above the supervisor's door in conjunction with an African American employee. My public accommodations case involves an alleged denial of service, in conjunction with a derogatory comment about race and sexual orientation made by a hospital employee. Right now I am in the process of doing interviews with all relevant witnesses to gather evidence to reveal whether illegal discrimination took place in each of these situations.

One thing that I have learned here is that there is a distinction between illegal discrimination and a negative experience; one offers you legal protection but the other does not. One of the hardships I have come across here is having to tell people that although we recognize that they have been discriminated against, the law doesn't afford a protection for their experience. As a person of color and as a woman, I have had many experiences where my two characteristics subjected me to discrimination. While most of my experiences alone would not amount to illegal discrimination according to the law, the pervasiveness and continuity of them did have an adverse effect on me over time. The law only protects those experiences that rise to an extreme level, even though most people's experiences of discrimination are minor.

There is hope. Good things are currently going on to prevent racial discrimination within the City of Seattle. My office coordinates and directs the city's Race and Social Justice Initiative, which aims at deconstructing institutionalized racism in city departments. I have been able to attend trainings that are required of all city employees, such as the "Race the Power of an Illusion" and "Anti-Racism Training". I observed that there are many people who really do care about promoting racial equity. If you want to learn more about the RSJI you can check it out on the web: http://www.seattle.gov/rsji/. Seattle is doing great things, and I hope we can continue to build on this work.

Working here is very special to me. I was born and raised in Seattle, and now I am getting to serve the people in my city. I have been a witness to racism and discrimination going on here, and the reason I am in law school is because I am committed to ending institutionalized racism and promoting equity. I was inspired by the civil rights movement and the Anti-Discrimination statutes that resulted. Now with my office, I am able to understand how to implement strategies like the Race and Social Justice Initiative, to deconstruct institutionalized racism, and I am able to use the anti-discrimination laws to bring people in Seattle justice. It has been an absolutely amazing and empowering experience so far.