When I saw Ruth Bader Ginsburg speak at West Point

September 19, 2020 by Joshua
in Fitness, Stories

I saw her speak at West Point about a year and a half ago. In a room including colonels, generals, and cadets, she riveted the audience with humor, stories, wit, and insight. My favorite insight was her sharing her friendship with Scalia. Their nearly opposite politics didn’t stop them from things like he would secretly pass her notes while hearing cases to try to make her laugh.

Her sharing contributed to my befriending a few people with opposite political views, against this nation’s tide of increasing polarization and beating opponents without trying to understand (Jonathan Haidt‘s book The Righteous Mind contributed too). Among the results: less anger, more understanding, more self-awareness, though also more confusion among friends and family to why I would talk to someone who voted that way.

She also inspired me with her fitness sidchas. Here she is exercising regularly into her 80s. I associate her with the idea of physical fitness contributing to mental fitness.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg working out

RIP RBG.

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