In high school, I discovered myself. I was interested in race relations and the legal profession. I read about Lincoln and that he believed the law to be the most difficult of professions.

The quote by Constance Baker Motley reflects her early personal and intellectual development during her high school years. She mentions discovering her interest in race relations and the legal profession, subjects that would later define her groundbreaking career. Motley, a pioneering African American lawyer and civil rights activist, credits her high school years as a formative period when she began to explore issues of racial justice and legal reform.

The mention of Abraham Lincoln and his view of the law as the "most difficult of professions" highlights the influence of historical figures on Motley’s perspective. Lincoln’s belief in the challenges of the legal profession likely resonated with Motley, especially as she embarked on her journey within a legal field that was not only complex but also deeply intertwined with issues of racial inequality and social justice.

Motley’s interest in race relations would become a driving force in her career, as she became the first African American woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Her focus on the intersection of law and race led her to become a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, where she worked to dismantle legal segregation and fight for equality. This connection between race relations and the legal profession was central to her work and identity.

The quote reveals the formative years of Constance Baker Motley and the intellectual curiosity that would guide her into a career of profound impact. By combining her early interests in race relations and the law, she would go on to make lasting contributions to the fight for racial justice and legal equality.