My students often ask me what to do in the moment we are living through. While I encourage them to keep fighting, to keep pushing for a democracy that we were promised by the Framers of the Constitution, I am also keenly aware of two things. First, the fruits of the fight we have today will not be visible to us in our lifetime - we have a long battle ahead of us. Second, I can keep fighting (and can encourage others to do so), but I also need a place to put my own heartbreak, as a woman who has dedicated her life to studying and defending the US Constitution, in a variety of different capacities. 

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As I searched for my own personal answer the question, I stumbled on the lives of Jo, Rosie, Max and Rui. Early one morning, half awake, I opened up the Notes App on my phone and starting writing down thoughts I had during my sleep or in a dream. What I thought was clear and brilliant in the moment turned out to be utter nonsense by the time I reread the notes at 10 am. That said, I saw the lineage of lives connected to current events, but also connected by their own humanity and their fight to just exist. I started diagramming (scribbling really) the idea of the story of a young woman writing about the events of the world, and how her story might connect the lives of others not realizing how closely they are all situated to one another. 

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It reflects a sentiment I also tell my students often - fight for the person sitting next to you. Everyone deserves an advocate; everyone deserves an ally. It is also important because one day the tides may turn, and you may hope that someone might stand up and fight for you, too. That sentiment resonated throughout writing this project. 

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So, to answer my own question: I'll keep fighting, that's for sure. I'll do it through my words, as often I find, the pen is mightier than the sword. 

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I hope you enjoy these stories as much I as enjoyed writing them for you.