I just want to thank God and all her helpers. Even though I turn 50 next month, I just got back from the dentist and will make a half century without a cavity, indeed no more than cleaning, ever. I am extremely grateful. Extremely.
Thinking about the all the messages on racism and language, I remember a surprise about 15 years ago. Marshall had a job of bringing international professionals to meet with their US counterparts. I think it was when he was introducing the Argentine Supreme Court justices to the US Supremes and later to a group of black law professors. The justices asked the law professors what words they identified themselves by, whether black or African American was preferred. They all preferred negro. Our own use of gay is understood and used differently between generations and lesbians and gay men. Even within individuals, usage changes as we do.
I love the seeking we do on the listserve. And especially the honesty and disagreement. I would just remind us that there are rarely singular right answers for us all that will not change or will not offend someone. Intention and tone will always tell us more than text. We want building bridges to be a priority but it’s also true that all progress comes from unreasonable people.