The Thinnest Book, The Deepest Beginning

A reflection on my son's first law school read: Biased by Jennifer L. Eberhardt

This week, my son began reading his first book in preparation for law school: Biased by Jennifer L. Eberhardt, PhD. At first glance, it might be one of the thinnest books he’ll encounter in his legal education — a journey that will no doubt be filled with dense case law, thick textbooks, and rigorous arguments. And yet, I suspect this slim volume may become one of the most profound books he’ll ever read.

As a mother, I feel a quiet joy watching him step into this new world. But more than that, I feel grateful for what his journey is revealing to me. Through his eyes, I find myself reflecting on ideas I’ve long overlooked or pushed aside — questions of justice, race, prejudice, and the invisible forces that shape how we see and treat one another.

As an artist, I have spent years seeking beauty in the world, capturing light, color, and harmony. My work is driven by a desire to uplift, to inspire, and to remind people of wonder. But truthfully, artists cannot only live in the light. The deeper an artist goes into their craft, the more they must also touch the shadows — because art, at its core, is about truth. And truth is not always beautiful. It is raw, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful. Still, it is necessary.

This book, and the conversations it sparks, remind me that even the softest brush must be willing to paint the harsh lines of reality. True artistry demands the courage to see clearly, to feel deeply, and to give voice to those who are not heard. It’s a path my son now begins as a future lawyer — and it’s a path I’ve long walked as an artist. Different tools, perhaps, but the same pursuit of justice, of dignity, of understanding.
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In this moment, I feel our lives braided together by something more than family. We are both reaching — in our own ways — for a world that is more awake, more just, and more human.