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Indiana students have their say on democracy

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Indiana students have their say on democracy

Sep 15, 2024 | 8:00 am ET
By Niki Kelly
Indiana students have their say on democracy
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Three Hoosiers high school students were honored for their audio essays on democracy. (Getty Images)

On this Democracy Day, I want to highlight the VFW’s annual high school contest by sharing with you Indiana’s top three winners last year.

This year’s audio essay contest is open through Oct. 31 with a theme of “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”

The Voice of Democracy Program is for students in grades 9-12.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) started the Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition in 1947. The Veterans of Foreign Wars became a national sponsor in the late 1950s and assumed sole responsibility for the program in 1961. Participants will compete for more than $2.3 million in college scholarships and incentives. To learn more go here.

2023 First Place – Robert Balkcom, of Fishers.

While democracy remains a rarity in many parts of the world, its profound impact on the American way of life is unmistakable. At the heart of democracy lie its attributes that have guided America through 247 years of wars, peace, booms, and busts. These attributes provide the foundation for the values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that all Americans hold dear.

The first attribute that truly sets our democracy apart is the bedrock of civil liberties.

First borne from the pens of our Founding Fathers, they are the cornerstones upon which this great nation stands, giving every citizen the power to forge their own destiny. Throughout our nation’s history, democracy has enabled individuals to challenge tyranny in the pursuit of justice and equality. The power of speech, the most important value of democracy, enables these acts of courage, ensuring that freedom of expression remains a critical piece of our society. This liberty empowers Americans to voice their concerns and to work for the fair treatment of all.

Indiana students have their say on democracy
Equal opportunity is another defining attribute that encapsulates the essence of democracy. It ensures that no one is denied the chance to succeed based on arbitrary factors such as race, gender, or class. It is through this attribute that a poor Scottish immigrant named Andrew Carnegie could become the wealthiest man in America and a formerly enslaved Frederick Douglass could deliver orations all around the globe. Democracy gives every citizen the opportunity to soar to new heights, challenge the status quo, and leave an unforgettable mark on our country.

Our democracy also encompasses self-determination, with states’ rights providing the framework for regions and communities to chart their own unique courses. In this, we see the beauty of democracy’s diversity. It is within this diversity that our nation’s greatest strengths are found, as states shape differing polices that reflect the will of their residents. Self-determination transforms democracy from a monotone soloist into a choir of many voices. Democracy enables individuals to choose how they impact society, whether through teaching the leaders of tomorrow, building a better America, or serving their country.

The symbols that represent our democracy are equally powerful. The Statue of Liberty, standing tall in New York Harbor, symbolizes the shelter that democracy provides, a place to seek refuge from tyranny and to discover freedom. The American flag, with its assortment of stars, stripes, and colors, reflects the unity and diversity that defines our democratic nation. The greatest attributes of our democracy, proven through the stories of leaders and trailblazers, are liberty, equality, and self-determination. Because of its commitment to these principles, America stands as a beacon for those who seek a just and free society full of life, liberty, and happiness. 

2023 Second Place – Raelyn Smith, of Carthage

 “History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from.” — Lt. Col. Allen West

We must not forget the many memorial walls scattered across our nation, or the many families who have had to move on and make new memories without their loved ones. If we forget, we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. One of my favorite subjects in school is history. The rise and fall of nations and how our country has endured many trials.  

It’s been almost 250 years since this great nation was founded. What makes America the land of the free and home of the brave? Our foundation consisted of many selfless men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. In order for our nation to live, we must protect the tree of liberty. So, what are the greatest attributes of our democracy? Let’s look at it like a tree. Not just any tree, but a liberty tree. One: the leaves – of the people, two: the branches – by the people, and three: the roots – for the people.

The shade of the leaves helps us remember the first crucial attribute of our democracy: of the people. In the First Amendment, we see “freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly.” Unlike other tyrannical countries where officials in power cast down the needs of their people, America was constructed differently.  The main reason for this was because the most prevalent memory in the minds of our founding fathers was the ax to the root to the tree of liberty by Great Britain. If we disagree with something that those in office have said, we can speak out. But will we? For a long time, we have trusted those in power and have relied on their decisions. We the people must continue to investigate, but more importantly, care about what our representatives say and do. Because in order for our nation to live, we must protect the tree of liberty. 

We come to the branches that support the leaves picturing the attributes of our democracy: by the people. Under the construction of our nation, the people are in control. We have a right to choose our representatives in government. The representatives of the people sign bills. The people know who enact laws. We must know who is in office and protect our rights by not allowing someone into office who would abuse or infringe upon our freedoms. Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and John Adams were citizens who cared and knew the status quo couldn’t last. These leaders in our nation were still elected by the people.

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It all comes down to how much we the people care. If we lose interest in what those in authority have to say, they will begin to sap the tree’s health rather than help it grow. In America, we must not lose the same passion that drove the founding fathers to write the Constitution: by setting up a system to promote freedom, liberty, justice, and morals. These important attributes must not be cut down by our desire for comfort. We must continue to be a government by the people. Because in order for our nation to strive, we must protect the tree of liberty. 

As we dig deeper we come to the roots: for the people. Digging deep into truth and God’s word, our nation was founded to ward off tyrants. Like a tree deeply rooted to never be moved by the brutal winds. In God we trust: a phrase stamped on dollar bills and license plates is not just a saying. It’s a reality. Along with our constitution being founded on Godly principles. The loss of a constitutional democracy leads to a regime that steals voices and cuts down any other ideology that does not fit their narrative. Each citizen plays a crucial role in our democracy. Each voice and opinion must not be silenced, because the day we let down our guard around the tree, our nation will die. 

Many men and women have given their lives for our nation. Their courage should push us onward. Remember the liberty tree? The leaves showed us the attribute of the people, the branches reminded us we are by the people, and lastly, the roots that dig deep into the ground, not swaying but remaining firm, for the people. These are the greatest attributes of our democracy. As Abraham Lincoln said in The Gettysburg Address “… we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

2023 Third Place – Lucy Thornton, of Evansville

Attributes of democracy. I’m going to be honest, when I first started researching this, I wasn’t quite sure what to say. I’ve never really been considered the smart kid and I wouldn’t typically attempt a writing like this. But something about this topic really stood out to me. And no, it wasn’t just the scholarship money. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to learn more about our American government and how things were run. After some research, I learned of many attributes of our democracy, but three really stood out. Those three are respect for human rights, the voting system and freedom of speech. These things make up our democracy and give American citizens a reason to be proud. Now let’s break each of these down.

Reflecting on democracy

Respect for human rights. This attribute sets our democracy apart from many others. Our country values its people, their rights and their opinions, and that’s not something you can find in every country. According to un.org, “Democracy provides an environment that respects human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in which the freely expressed will of people is exercised”. Now how cool is that? Our democracy respects us! I don’t know about you, but being disrespected is not something I can easily tolerate, so living in a country where our rights and freedoms are respected and even valued makes such a positive difference. In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it states in Article 21 “The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government”. This continues to point towards the fact that our government revolves around it’s people, and this is an important attribute to have,

Now onto the voting system. Our country’s voting system is very unique, and quite unlike most other voting systems. Pewresearch.org even goes to say “No other democratic nation fills its top job quite the way the U.S. does, and only a handful are even similar”. Now like any other system, it’s had its flaws and of course many changes have been made, but all of those things have led it to become what it is today. The American voting system is a way to give people a say in who their leaders are, and this heavily points back to the fact that our government respects its citizens. According to apiavote.org, “Voting gives you the power to create positive change for your community and determine a better quality of life for you and your family”. As people, we care about our quality of life, and being given the opportunity to better our country is valuable and widely desired. 

The last attribute I want to hit on is freedom of speech, our First Amendment right. This is one part of our democracy that is highly enviable, considering the fact that many countries around the world don’t have this freedom. This attribute truly sets us apart, allowing American people to be able to speak what they believe and practice their own religions. According to whitehouse.gov, “The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” People like to express themselves, and thanks to our democracy, we have that freedom. We don’t have to feel controlled, manipulated or misunderstood because we have a voice. A voice that is heard and valued by our government and country. This freedom shapes our country, and it is a vital part of our democracy.

Now of course there are other attributes that build up America, and they’re all equally important. But these three attributes are clearly visible in our country, and they are incredibly crucial to the success of this nation. Without them, our country just wouldn’t be the same. I’m so grateful to be living in a country with firm attributes, where my opinion is valued and respected. I now have a much deeper understanding of our democracy, as well as a newfound respect. These three attributes, respect for human rights, the voting system and freedom of speech have great impacts on our democracy, and they make all the difference.

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