J. Wyndal Gordon, Esq., one of the featured speakers at the event, has worked tirelessly over the years providing legal assistance to residents and local businesses in Baltimore. He’s represented numerous individuals and companies in litigation matters in front of the local DC and Maryland federal courts.
He used his time at TEDxCollegePark to touch on the theme of individuals taking control of documenting injustices happening in front of them. Gordon’s never been one to stand by when he sees a wrong being committed. “I abhor apathy.”, he declares. “When I see a good fight, I get in it. It’s always been that way.”
Gordon goes on to discuss his evolving thought process on the best ways of getting positive outcomes when addressing conflict. “I had to learn you don’t always have to meet force with force in order to get your point across.”, he shares with his audience. “It’s better at times to meet force with finesse and intelligence.”
He had this philosophy tested in a big way by events rocking the city of Baltimore in the aftermath of the violent death of Freddie Gray. Protesters took to the streets for two weeks straight, outraged by what happened and the perceived lack of inaction by those in authority.
Gordon understood and emphasized with the frustrations expressed by the local public. He witnessed how some protestors became unfocused and began lashing out in unconstructive ways at local law enforcement. Gordon realized that protestors who ended up arrested would need an unjudgmental advocate capable of representing their interests fairly.
He did this by doing what he could to find common ground among those prosecuting his clients. Gordon’s efforts led to many charges being reduced or dropped entirely against his clients as both parties came to many points of agreement. Gordon also made sure to carefully document instances where he felt his clients weren’t receiving the consideration they deserved in the courts.
The events in Baltimore brought the importance of technology to the forefront of Gordon’s mind. He recognized that individuals had the power to create digital living monuments to the injustices happening in their current environment.
Gordon urged his TEDxCollegePark audience to allow themselves to be active participants in recording and preserving any wrongs they see happening in front of them. They needed to share them online using the hashtag #ThisIsWrong. People around the world would be able to tap into these events in real time and have their hearts changed by appeals to empathy as fellow human beings.
He feels doing so keeps us from falling into a hole of despair and teach us better methods of handling these situations when they unfold. Gordon wants us all to do what we can to make our mark on society by refusing to sit back. He feels getting involved in righteous causes lets us affect and be the change we want to see.
About J. Wyndal
J. Wyndal Gordon, Esq. “The Warrior Lawyer!” is a respected trial attorney and solo practitioner who represents individuals and small businesses in litigation matters throughout the State of Maryland, D.C. and Federal courts. Mr. Gordon has litigated high profile cases that have received local, regional, and national attention.
Mr. Gordon was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Maryland where he has been a resident all of his life. Mr. Gordon attended Friendly H.S. in Fort Washington, Maryland and graduated from H.D. Woodson H.S. in Washington, D.C. in 1987. In 1991, Mr. Gordon graduated from Morgan State University, and in 1995, the University of Baltimore School of Law. He was licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland that same year. Mr. Gordon is also licensed to practice law in the United States District Court of Maryland, the United States District Court of Washington, D.C., and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, and the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
