another name on my list of heroes...

derrick bell -- civil rights advocate, critical race theory scholar, NYU law professor and pitt law grad -- was at the law school today lecturing in honor of the federally designated constitution day. professor bell was fantastic. his address was eloquent, inspiring, engaging. he spoke about the history of our constitution, about how despite the constitution's best intentions, our country has upheld numerous civil rights violations as lawful. professor bell used the first amendment as a prime example. the first amendment is a well-recognized bastion of liberty, but so many times americans have actually been discouraged from speaking their minds, if what they have to say is at all contrary to the norm. people get called "communist" or "unpatriotic" or labeled as threats if they dare voice an opinion that criticizes what the government is doing. i'm totally not doing it justice right now, but i promise you the lecture really was brilliant!

professor bell ended his address by saying that we need to focus on not what the constitution is, but on what it must be. and the packed courtroom all stood in applause. and i had chills.

another terrific moment was a question from a man in the audience, who must have been a professor, who asked professor bell how he would respond to challenges he (the questioner) has received when he has dared to criticize or protest. he asked, "what gives you the right to protest? what gives you the right to question?" in professor bell's response, he said that sometimes we do things because we have to, because we couldn't live with ourselves if we didn't.

i'm really butchering this, aren't i? the bottom line, though, is that i hope i never forget how i felt today, the feeling that no matter how many times i lose, i want to keep on fighting for what i believe in. and i hope the derrick bells of the world are always a reminder to me of what good can be accomplished with a little hardheadedness and conviction.