Laughing Matters

Episode 25: From Harlem to Philly to DC: All rise for the Honorable Judge Nelson Diaz

August 16, 2023 Paul Episode 25
Laughing Matters
Episode 25: From Harlem to Philly to DC: All rise for the Honorable Judge Nelson Diaz
Show Notes

A funny thing happened on the way to the courthouse for Judge Nelson Diaz. In fact, lots of funny things happened on his journey from the inner city to the inner sanctum of Washington, D.C. power politics. From his childhood days playing baseball outside the projects in Harlem to law school in Philadelphia to his time working as HUD General Counsel under President Bill Clinton, Judge Diaz is no stranger to feeling like the underdog and outsider. In this episode, he shares how he used humor to overcome prejudices he faced as a trailblazing Latino in his profession. He also discusses: 

  • Issues he faced being “bi-cultural, bilingual, and by myself”
  • Bridging the gap between how Latinos perceive humor and how it’s interpreted in mainstream America 
  • Lessons he learned on the importance of humor in the White House during periods of conflict