Exactly two months ago I was hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism. And today was my last law class—ever! I am grateful to be alive, and grateful to be graduating.

When I started law school all three of my kids were in diapers, and I worked full time the first two years. Despite numerous obstacles, I have walked this long and winding road and reached my goal. I have very few regrets because I know that I did the best that I could with what I had. Law school wasn't what I expected, but I surprised myself with how many times I got up after being knocked down. I only missed one day of class after my pulmonary embolism, and I returned to law school more determined than ever.

The rigor of Law School enhanced my discipline; and in turn I contributed with an online race and the law journal. In Contracts they call that a bargain for exchange. I am humble enough to realize that I took more than I gave; but I am proud to have launched the first online, interactive scholarly publication dedicated to the complex issues surrounding race and the law. As Ruthie Wilson Gilmore said in her Presidential Address to the American Studies Association, "Infiltrate what exists, innovate what doesn't." Immigration law is not on the bar, and I hope my small innovation with this journal will contribute to a re-examination of where our legal system doesn't provide equal protection under the laws.

I have numerous critiques of the law school curriculum. I think for law school admission, there should be more of a "subject matter" baseline. Engineering Majors struggle with the Constitution more than they should, and Humanities people like me have no business calculating damages in Torts. I think letting certified student attorneys serve clients without direct supervision is dicey. Law Journals might consider blind/peer review.

Finally, I think that the three courses that impacted me the most were Poverty Law, Race and the Law and Feminist Jurisprudence, should join Estates and Trusts, Corporations, and the Uniform Commercial Code as knowledge that is worthy to learn for the bar. After more than three years of training, no one is less surprised than I am that the disciplines which helped corporations be regarded as people is elevated over disciplines that ensure the rights of actual human beings.

Given the choice, would I study law again? Definitely. Why? One of my most difficult law professors told me that I willing entered the master's house, knowing that his tools would not destroy it.

I didn't go to law school to destroy the master's house. I went to law school to learn the master's tools, so that I could build my own house. We'll see how that goes.

Happy Thanksgiving and be thankful; I am!