When John S. Rock’s health collapsed in the 1850s, his fight for justice did not end. It only changed form. Forced to leave medicine and dentistry, Rock turned to law, choosing apath that relied on intellect, reason, and moral courage rather than physical endurance. In Boston, he built a legal practice at the heart of abolitionist life and argued for black citizenship. He also supported black military service during the Civil War. Rock used both the courtroom and the lecture platform todemand equality under the law. His admission to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1865 symbolized more than personal achievement; it pointed toward the coming transformation of American law after Dred Scott. This episodetells the story of adaptation without surrender, and what it means to keep going when the struggle demands a new form.
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Have a story, a question, or apossibility you’re exploring? Email Dr. Middleton: possibilityman@icloud.com
Break Free from Emotional Distress:A Practical Guide and Personal Journey by Stephen Middleton is available on Amazon.
