He was the best of leaders and advocates…

In the weeks since Courtney's passing, I've found it really difficult to come up with coherent thoughts. Courtney was a singular individual: he transcended hierarchy, was defined by terms he set for himself. He was a public individual: he believed in public education, public transit (!), and public service. He was the best of leaders and advocates, because his stakes were in his goals, not his power, and his goals were always outward facing, always collective. He was a dude known for his wardrobe of T-shirts with puns on them and floral collared shirts and flip flops — lots of flip flops. He was undeniably sassy (he really came for you once in a while) but never unkind. And hey, he was my friend. It sucks that he’s gone. It sucks so, so, so much. He is such a loss, for everyone who loved him and for the world. But also: in between my feelings of disbelief and anger and sadness, I am struck by moments of gratitude — for his light, for his sincerity, for his conviction. For his endless enthusiasm. For every roast he laughed at, took on the chin. For everything he taught me. For his willingness to make the trek over the Potomac (an onerous one, on DC’s circulator buses) to hang out with me a few times last summer, because it’d been a while since we were both in Newbury Park.

Idk. I guess all I mean to say is, this sucks. And also, Courtney, thank you for your life.

— Shreya Chattopadhyay