graciously Funded to the fordham University center for ethics education by the Chynn Family Foundation, The essay competition aims to stimulate self-examination about concepts of ethics and morality encountered personally or as a concerned member of society.
Winners from left to right: Deborah Adebanjo, Daniel Deeney, and Billy Harrison.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Chynn Ethics Paper Prize!
Out of over forty undergraduate submissions, three papers were selected to receive ‘Best Essay,’ ‘First Runner-Up,’ and ‘Second Runner-Up’ awards. The Dr. K. York and M. Noelle Chynn Prize in Ethics and Morality has awarded numerous winners since 2012. Winning essays including honorable mentions will be posted to The Ethics and Society Blog in the coming weeks.
Best Essay ($1,000) Daniel Deeney
First Runner-Up ($500) Deborah Adebanjo
Second Runner-Up ($300) Billy Harrison
DANIEL DEENEY was awarded best essay for their paper “A Culture of Drowning: The Ethical Exigency of Investing in Public Pools.” Deeney shares their experience as a lifeguard at an underfunded public pool in Philadelphia, revealing stark differences in resources between pools in different neighborhoods, often reflecting broader socioeconomic and racial divides. The essay underscores the urgent need to invest in public pools to prevent drowning, particularly among vulnerable populations, and to provide safe, accessible spaces that can help address public health issues like gun violence. Deeney argues that public pools are vital not only for physical health and safety, but also as important community spaces where people can connect, grow, and have fun. Deeney (FCLC ’26) is presently double majoring in American studies and Spanish languages and literature.
Awarded first runner-up was DEBORAH ADEBANJO for their paper “See Their Humanity: A Call to Doctors for Black Women.” Adebanjo discusses their experience with their mother’s delayed diagnosis, which she believes happened because doctors didn’t take her concerns seriously, a problem many Black women face in healthcare. Adebanjo explains that this delay is part of a larger issue where doctors often have unconscious biases that lead them to treat Black women differently, resulting in worse health outcomes. She connects these issues to broader ideas about racial inequality and calls for changes like better training for doctors and new policies to ensure Black women receive fair and timely medical care. Adebanjo (FCRH ’26) is currently majoring in political science with a minor in philosophy.
And awarded second-runner up was BILLY HARRISON for their paper “Progress or Paternalism: Navigating Language Policy in American Courtrooms.” Harrison’s essay examines linguistic biases in the American legal system, particularly against African American Vernacular English (AAVE). It highlights how court reporters often inaccurately transcribe AAVE and how jurors may misunderstand or dismiss testimonies delivered in AAVE due to bias. Harrison proposes using interpreters for AAVE in courtrooms as a short-term solution to ensure fair trials, despite potential concerns about paternalism. The essay ultimately argues that while this solution is not perfect, it may be necessary to address the immediate issue of linguistic discrimination in legal settings. Harrison (FCRH ’24) is a double majoring in political science and history.
Honourable Mention
TALIAH BRISARD (FCRH ’24) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “unmasked: the cost of pretending the covid-19 pandemic is over”
major in african and african american studies and minors in french and history
For more information about the prize, past winners, and submission requirements for 2025, please visit the Chynn Ethics Paper Prize webpage. The deadline to submit is Friday, January 10th, 2025 and is open to ALL undergraduates.
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