Lauren_P

I believe democracy needs some major changes in several different areas. So often, it seems, youth is either denied the chance or ignores it altogether of participating in how our lives are governed. Of course, being unable to vote doesn’t help matters. I, myself, am guilty of this from time to time. I haven't attended any school committee meetings or town council meetings, but at the same time I haven't been encouraged to go, //ever//. No one teacher or group has ever truly encouraged me to become involved in local government. I worry though, about the childish way in which many things in this town are run and whether I would even be listened to if I decided to participate.

But beyond that, I believe that democracy in America should be less exclusive. In history, we learn every year that the colonists couldn’t vote unless they were white, land-owning males, and every year we scoff in class about how those in power were so elitist that they wouldn’t even let the poor vote. But really, how different is it now? Although voting is an American citizen’s right (male or female, black or white), positions of real power are currently restricted—if not by law then by tradition and stubbornness—almost exclusively to white, rich men. The current President is, of course, the major exception to this rule. This raises the poignant question, however, of why does this understood if not officially sanctioned rule continue to exist?

Democracy, for me, really consists of a lot of unanswered questions. I believe that a deeper understanding and more in-depth study of the workings of government for all students would be beneficial. With such knowledge, a more diverse group of citizens could get involved in local, state, or even federal government. A lack of knowledge can be a major discouraging factor. I’m well aware that the knowledge is out there and ready for the taking, but I know that, were the information deemed important enough by those in charge of education, students would learn it and wouldn’t have to have a special interest in government. The interest would become built-in.

I believe that North Kingstown High School should have a student government. I believe that strongly and whole-heartedly. However, I have absolutely no idea how to make that idea popular with students. And, in the unlikely event that anyone could make that happen, the administration would almost certainly be unwilling to give that government any of the power that would be necessary. It seems that changes are necessary on all sides and in all circles of democracy. We as a people need to re-learn what it means to live in a democratic society and how lucky we really are. We also need to unlearn the complacency that comes along with presumably unthreatened personal rights. I believe that an unwanted and unappreciated democracy is an undeserved one.