Bellarmine Law Society Review

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to this second issue of the Bellarmine Law Society Review's fourteenth edition, where we present three thought-provoking articles that engage with pressing legal and societal issues from diverse perspectives.

In our first feature, “Affirmative Action Revisited: The Future of Collegiate Admissions,” senior Will Dee examines the evolving landscape of affirmative action in U.S. higher education. With the landmark case Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard fresh in public discourse, Dee provides an insightful analysis of the tension between diversity goals and the principle of equal treatment under the law. Next, in “Unconstitutional Constitutional Amendments: Is the Application of this Doctrine Always Justified?” exchange student Pablo Galindo Lema tackles the complex issue of constitutional amendments and the controversial doctrine of unconstitutional constitutional amendments. By exploring sovereignty, constituent power, and Carl Schmitt’s constitutional law theory, Lema builds a case for when this doctrine should apply. Finally, senior Jenna Gilhooly’s “Censoring Film and Filming Censorship: A Legal Analysis of the Origins and Legacy of Film Noir” delves into the intersection of law and cinematic art. Through an exploration of early 20th-century film regulation and the Hays Code, Gilhooly reveals how the Film Noir genre both challenged and adapted to censorship. 

As we wrap up this issue, Tommy Dee and I are excited to share that we welcomed two new copyeditors this semester, Alisa Fixler and Syesha Swani, in anticipation of this publication, and we are grateful for their hard work and fresh perspectives. This fall, BLSR saw a record-breaking number of submissions, making the selection process highly competitive, which speaks to the exceptional talent of our contributors. The Board is proud to present a diverse range of insightful pieces that not only engage with important legal issues but also encourage critical reflection on their societal implications. We hope our readers enjoy these articles and find them as thought-provoking as we do. As we close out this edition, we wish all our readers a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!