Open PDF in Browser: Sam Hawkinson,* Foreword
The discomfort associated with difficult conversations is nothing new. We worry that such conversations will change how we are perceived. We worry it could result in a strain on private relationships between friends and family. We worry about the unconformable feeling we get from engaging in conflict itself. Whether this resonates with you in a more personal or public context, these worries come with a great cost. Amid the sea of misunderstanding, fear, and at times violence, it is easy to overlook what these exchanges can produce: perspective, respect, empathy, and growth—attributes that seem to be in short supply but are nonetheless essential components to any meaningful discourse.
For that reason, we must be willing to engage with tough questions and conversations that may illicit a level of discomfort. Without such willingness, we risk remaining entrenched in divisions that are defined as “us” versus “them,” limiting any ability to truly understand standpoints beyond our own. Absent these efforts, meaningful discourse becomes increasingly elusive, and the existing divide only deepens. At a time when such division appears wider than ever, it will take deliberate and sustained effort from all who seek a more thoughtful and inclusive discourse to close this societal rift.
Within this context, the Colorado Law Review remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a forum in which a diversity of perspectives can meaningfully advance the boundaries of legal discourse. The scholarship selected for this Issue reflect not only academic excellence but also a recognition that the law is best understood through a multiplicity of viewpoints and the tackling of hard, emotionally charged subject matters. Indeed, legal scholarship does not develop in a vacuum; it is shaped by the lived experiences, perspectives, and knowledge of those who contribute to it.
At its best, a law review should strive to support and amplify the story an author wishes to tell while ensuring editors refrain from imposing their own narratives—an effort our Volume aspires to reflect. Such efforts would not have been possible without the care, thoughtfulness, and dedication of our team. It has truly been my honor to see the conscious decisions by our editors in ensuring that the articles presented are in the best shape possible while also guaranteeing such edits do not subtract from the authors’ intended meaning. Thank you to the members of the Colorado Law Review for your grace; it means more than words can express.
Finally, I offer both a brief content warning and an invitation. The subject matter of this Issue is, at times, challenging and deeply sensitive, including discussions of abortion, genocide, and other difficult areas of inquiry. While such material may invite discomfort, it also presents a unique opportunity to engage with perspectives that may be unfamiliar, challenge preexisting assumptions, or even stand in opposition to one’s own views. I encourage readers to approach these works with care, thoughtfulness, and openness to the perspectives they advance. In doing so, you will be taking a small, but pivotal, step in advancing the meaningful discourse we wish to achieve and helping close the divide. With a hope that this publication builds empathy around shared stories and highlights common ground, please enjoy Issue 4’s excellent scholarship.
* J.D. Candidate, 2026, Colorado Law Review. Volume 97 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Editor. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge those who have supported me throughout law school and shaped the principles I advance here. To my parents, Kathy and Steve, thank you for your unwavering love and support. To my friends, thank you for keeping me grounded. And to my partner, Zoe, thank you for listening to my many legal rants, for your constant support, and for everything you have done to make me a better person; I feel incredibly fortunate that we first met as locker mates on the very first day of law school.