Democracy and Civic Engagement
Democracy can only exist when informed citizens work along with institutions that enforce the law fairly and with honor. Unfortunately, there has been a disturbing trend growing within the last few years. Voters are staying at home and not going to the polls yet they believe that change must take place at every level of this country. I find it imperative to state that one of the most powerful agents of change in any government is the voice of the people.
Martin Luther King once said "Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” Although his statement's purpose might not have directly been aimed at the lack of civic engagement that plagues America today, it can still be applied to modern times because in reality, anyone who doesn't use their voting rights is in a way an outsider. It is almost as if they are proclaiming that they are not affected by the government's laws and agenda. It is for this reason that I believe that should someone decide not to vote despite having that right, they also should not complain about how the country is ran and how certain laws affect their daily lives.
It is a shame that given the beautiful freedom that Democracy grants that many Americans take it for granted. I certainly do not want my defense of Democracy to be confused as pure idealism. Much like President Kennedy, I believe that I am a "Idealist without illusions." Democracy certainly has its flaws. In fact, the lack of knowledge amongst the people responsible for electing their own leaders is reason enough to label Democracy has "hit or miss" but even then, we must not neglect our duty to make our voice be heard unless we also chose to give up that voice and opinion and humanity that comes along with the gift of being part of a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Martin Luther King once said "Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.” Although his statement's purpose might not have directly been aimed at the lack of civic engagement that plagues America today, it can still be applied to modern times because in reality, anyone who doesn't use their voting rights is in a way an outsider. It is almost as if they are proclaiming that they are not affected by the government's laws and agenda. It is for this reason that I believe that should someone decide not to vote despite having that right, they also should not complain about how the country is ran and how certain laws affect their daily lives.
It is a shame that given the beautiful freedom that Democracy grants that many Americans take it for granted. I certainly do not want my defense of Democracy to be confused as pure idealism. Much like President Kennedy, I believe that I am a "Idealist without illusions." Democracy certainly has its flaws. In fact, the lack of knowledge amongst the people responsible for electing their own leaders is reason enough to label Democracy has "hit or miss" but even then, we must not neglect our duty to make our voice be heard unless we also chose to give up that voice and opinion and humanity that comes along with the gift of being part of a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Never
again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can
never be considered an out
Comments
Post a Comment