May It Please the Court
Oh how I needed that. Thank you.
listen,
you are one of the best writers ever
and if you were my neighbor
i would weed your garden
for free
just because you understand
what is important in the world
and how to illustrate it
nicely.
i am just saying…
As always, your work is the most inspiring, lovely, and encouraging. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us Maira.
But why is the most important thing sometimes so elusive?
Thank you, again, for your beautiful, meaningful work.
Thank you so much. I am currently in a psychiatric ward for severe depression and PTSD after several abusive relationships and years of trauma, and the worst of my problems is crushingly low self confidence. In fact, I had been thinking just moments ago that I couldn’t possibly feel good about myself ever again. Reading this gave me a little boost, a little hope, and you are wonderful for the work you did on it.
marvelous and inspiring, as always.
Where in the world did you come from, Maira Kalman? Every piece you do moves me somewhere deep inside. thank you.
Two of my favorite women in one go! Thank you, Maira. Delightful as always.
Ms. Kalman is a very talented artist. Justice Ginsburg is an amazing presence, and precedent for the glow of law, and of her own life and family. I appreciate Justice Ginsburg’s gentle gift of popular humor, in allowing the Times this view of the court. (Full disclosure, while I’ve never met Justice Ginsburg, Mr. Ginsburg and I shared the grace and wisdom of a wonderful assistant, Anita E., while at Weil Gotshal & Manges.)
I invite Ms. Kalman to aim her artistic talents of observation and depiction at the NYS Supreme Court’s Matrimonial Division, Part 31, and the circle of feminist rage corrupting the equal protection of the law there for devoted fathers and their children, through lawyers, judges, forensic experts for hire and other beneficiaries of the Women’s Bar Association’s billion dollar divorce industry.
Many women have created and preserved civil rights and due process and equal opportunity for women in the future. – their accomplishments were hard fought for and are held with a pride I share. However, on that score, it is a far distance from the likes of Susan B. Anthony, Elaanor Roosevelt and Justice Ginsburg to the destruction of civil rights in Manhattan families for profit through the gender bias of the City’s Matrimonial Courts and their feminist puppeteers. No -ism (including feminism) is above the Constitution, nor a civil right above others’ natural rights.
Maybe the artist in Ms. Kalman can capture what words and years of litigation by so many men as devoted fathers have failed to showcase: the disturbing confluence of feminist rights administering the City’s matrimonial courts.
So inspiring! Thank you!
Maira,
Please go to Cuba. And come back and do a ‘column’ on the Pursuit of Happiness on that Island.
Thank you.
After writing about the language of dissent and the search for meaning in the courtroom, why does Ms. Kalman object to dissent outside the court? Is it the tone or the issue? My understanding is that the dissenters outside object to involuntary infant circumcision, not circumcision that adults choose for themselves. Why does Ms. Kalman call them schnooks? For the record, my family is Jewish and I also believe that involuntary circumcision of both girls and boys should be illegal.
a fabulous break from studying for law school finals… thank you for this memorable and inspiring art.
you are one of my heros maria! thank you for all that you do, write, draw, photograph, notice. thank you for your compassion. thank you for sharing it. to me it is a gift every time!! i wish you could see my grandmother’s hat collection sometime.
The most important thing. Thank you for once again watching closely and reporting back.
I love you but …
I think circumcision is beyond weird and barbaric and don’t know why anyone goes for it. In your defense, everyone in my family thinks I am a schnook for believing this. I think
schnook is a little harsh myself.
“‘What is the most important thing?’ and she answers, ‘Self-confidence'” but I would add, and the knowledge that you could be wrong with the understanding that the two things are not mutually exclusive.
Great column, thanks
What is this coy and cutesy thing? The art is fine, the text irritating. Perhaps, as an adult, I prefer a writer’s voice that sounds like it comes from someone who has completed puberty. Speaking of puberty: why are people “schnooks” if they protest the legal hacking up of male genitals?
As a female lawyer who fights for justice for very marginalized citizens, I love this work. It’s very inspiring.
Maira, I love your work! Next time you come to Israel, look me up. — Sharon Neeman, Kiryat Shmona
Exquisite and inspiring! Ms. Kalman’s renderings are spot on and exude a sense of joie de vivre much like Matisse’s masterpieces. There is no doubt that the extraordinary women highlighted here laid critical milestones in the pursuit of our collective happiness.
And again I am so moved. Somehow there is alchemy in Maira Kalman.
This is a beautiful thing – in words, drawings and in its significance. Kudos to Maira Kalman.
Where do I vote for Maira Kalman as one of the US National Treasures for innovation and passion! Thanks for sharing your cool Washington, DC visit with your unique witty story and stunning illustrations / photographs. The extraordinary Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Eleanor Roosevelt look so elegant, confident and calm! Kudos for sharing your beautiful gift with us. I wonder how long it took you from idea to delivery of this week’s “And the Pursuit of Happiness”.
KC Chan-Herur
Twitter: @kcInnovation
Ms. Kalman,
There are a few things that always make me rejoice in my chosen career: a woman… in LAW. Your column on your reflections and your happy drawings and pictures is one of them today. Thank you!
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