From a purely legal standpoint, Alito’s argument is not incorrect. There is indeed no legal tradition supporting the right to abortion in this country. And if we dig as far back as Alito did to cobble together his argument, there is also no legal tradition of freedom or a right to vote for non-white men. No legal tradition of equality. No legal tradition of any kind supporting the full humanity, autonomy, and rights of individuals who challenge the rigid power structures baked into the founding of this country.

When I first began this project, I used an intricate system of index cards to make sense of the hundreds of archival documents I combed through. Affectionately known as “my diss in a box,” I have returned to it often for both reference and inspiration. The juxtaposition of the box and the book almost takes my breath away.

As this project has consumed the better part of a decade, I have amassed a great personal and professional debt of gratitude for which the words in this acknowledgement can surely never reconcile. To those who have invested their time and energy into me and by extension this project I am forever grateful.