The Nikita Initiative

The Joys of Failing

Yes, I might be the first person who found the joys of failing. But, how else I am going to cope?

As someone who inspires, I must be open and honest about my journey. I am known for oversharing in times where I should keep my mouth shut. (And, this might be one of those times.) I took the July 2019 Bar Exam and failed.

Yes, your favorite overconfident Indian woman failed the Bar Exam. Of course, I was crushed. I wept for hours on the kitchen floor of my sister’s apartment. How could all my hard-work not pay off? Did I burn out? Did I not study correctly? Did I get lazy? All of these questions are not important right now. The only important one: Will I pass the second time? And, to be frank, I don’t know…

To All My Friends Applying for Public Defender Jobs

First, I love you all. You’re passionate and zealous advocates who see the humanity in the people you want to represent. That is why you’re born to be a public defender. You’re all really nervous and stressed about the application process because the job market is competitive. Also, you’re stressed because you want to become a public defender. However, I am not worried about any of you!

With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility

*Michael Sutton with his sister, Lucretia Sutton.*

During law school, I worked as fellow for the Ohio Innocence Project (OIP). Throughout my time at OIP, I realized that prosecutors have a lot of discretion. This discretion gives them a lot of power in our criminal justice system. I found the wise words of Uncle Ben from Spider-Man coming to my mind when working on these innocence cases: with this great power, comes great responsibility. (These wise words should come to many prosecutors’ minds when working on their cases.)

Michael Sutton’s case ignited a fire within me. His case inspired me to become a social justice warrior and fight for indigent people. Michael’s innocence claim showed me that social justice work is more than innocence work. His case taught me that everyone needs an advocate. And, for that, I will be eternally grateful to Michael.

A Little Late With A Bisexual Woman of Color

Lilly Singh’s late show is a triumph! She’s knocking down all doors and breaking all the glass ceilings!

*Lilly Singh (Image from* *Cheatsheet.com*)

Bestselling author and YouTube star, Lilly Singh, first episode of A Little Late with Lilly Singh took the world by storm on September 16. Lilly started her late-night NBC show by rapping about how her show will be unlike other late-night shows. Since her melanin differs from most late-night show hosts, Lilly wants her show to reflect her individuality. Instead of the usual grey and navy blue suits that her male counterparts wear, Lilly will wear colorful outfits. She’ll add the much needed female perspective to late-night television. Lilly won’t be stereotyped nor molded into someone she’s not – Lilly will continue to channel her online persona: Superwoman. Lilly’s work environment reflected what people want to see in their place of employment today. For example, more than 50% of Lilly’s writers are women and people of color. As stated in her rap, Lilly hired minorities because she could, not because she had to. She promised that men will also have paternal leave like women had maternal leave. She promised a place where working parents can nurse their children. And, she promised equal pay for all her employees. Lilly made it clear to the world that she will be the change that she wants to see in this world.

Cherry: Book Review – and Movie Predictions

A delightfully dark read and a must read for all social justice advocates.

Raw. Profane. Straight from a dark heart.

*Sheru Srivastava cutely holding my copy of* Cherry.

These are only a few ways the back of the book describes Nico Walker’s debut novel, soon to be turned into a major motion that will grace our screens.

If you’re looking for a tragic love story, then this book is not for you. If you’re looking for social commentary about the opioid epidemic in Ohio, then this book is not for you. If you’re looking for a story about redemption, then this book is not for you. Cherry is not about redeeming the protagonist, or even an in-depth analysis on his drug addiction. Instead, this book is about the main character aimlessly going through life.

Welcome to the Nikita Initiative

Me, Nikita Srivastava, wearing the Central Park Exonerated5 Shirt.

Hello Internet,

My name is Nikita Srivastava. I am an Indian woman who carries herself with the confidence of a heterosexual white male. Now, I don’t intentionally act like a white man. It kinda just happened. Apparently, if a woman demonstrates confidence in her abilities, intellect and strives for success, then she is acting like a white man. (Sorry, not sorry)