COLUMN: Fight to maintain democracy

From Amar Kosaraju's, "And justice For All," Fall '97 From Amar Kosaraju's, "And justice For All," Fall '97 When my parents came here in the late '60s with two suitcases and $16, they had a basic faith in the democracy of this country. Their hopes and dreams were based on the idea that this country was governed by equality and justice. They felt the opportunity was for the taking and they believed if they worked hard, they would succeed. Through grade school, I took what my parents said to heart and honestly believed I was no different than anyone else. I had the distinction of being one of two non-whites in a school of 400 students, but honestly felt very much part of the group. I did face random incidents of discrimination but I never wavered from the principles of democracy that guided me. I was, so to speak, brainwashed with George Washington, the Constitution and everything else that represented what it was to be an American. Every morning as a child, I had my faith reassured with the pledge of allegiance to the flag. When I said that oath, all acts of bigotry and discrimination were erased. I looked at my classmates as fellow Americans and with great confidence, ended my pledge of allegiance along with them with the concluding words, "and justice for all." It is because of those ending words I felt united with my classmates because I truly believed this country was based on a justice for all theory. Over this past year I have kept this philosophy in mind -- bringing justice to all. I didn't try to focus on any particular group or idea but tried to bring justice, where justice was absent. I fought against injustice to fraternities, Asian Americans, the graduate schools with less money and non-Christian religions to name a few. I have reason to question my faith. Is our democracy truly working and is there justice for all? From national politics to state politics to issues on our campus, we can see how our democracy is failing us. Our national leaders have forgotton what it is to be a representative of the people. Our president has developed his own brand of democracy with our voices being irrelevant. Grassroots has been replaced with greenbacks and the CEOs, rather than our civic leaders, have meetings and discussions with our president. Decisions are not being made based on the wants and needs of the people following a democracy -- but are being determined by corporate America through the prostitution of our national leaders. It also has become clear that our president broke the law in soliciting campaign funds, but the theory of justice for all does not apply to him, with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno deciding not to bring in an independent counsel to investigate the situation. Through his corruption, Bill Clinton has failed us as a representative of the people and as president of the United States. The reality is that Clinton is not alone, because the lack of democracy and justice has spread throughout Congress and even through our local government. The vending issue is a perfect example of our democracy and representatives failing us. The people of West Philadelphia elected City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, yet it seems she takes her orders from the University of Pennsylvania. She had promised to meet with consumer groups and Penn students to discuss the vending issue, but cancelled the meeting. She now plans to introduce a new vending ordinance crafted by the University before any opposition can be organized. Events like these -- both national and local -- question the strength of our democracy. People can sense their freedom slipping away and have responded in many different ways. The recent growth of state militias cannot be simply attributed to paranoia, but is a response to a lack of freedom and government control. While many of these state militias are responding inappropriately through illegal action, one cannot completely dismiss their complaints. Are we still a country "governed by the people, for the people?" The "land of opportunity" was once the trademark of this country, but do we honestly believe that opportunity still exists? A kid from West Philly doesn't have the same opportunity as a kid from the Main Line. With rising tuition, preference to alumni children, better schooling in the suburbs and other factors, is it reasonable to believe that the West Philly kid has the same shot being accepted into Penn? The difference between the past and the present day is that the door of opportunity was always slightly propped open in the past and it was for the individual to fight and strive to get through that door. Now, it seems that door of opportunity is slightly open for some and totally shut for others. I still believe in the "justice for all" mentality, but I don't think it is axiomatic. While we like to think our leaders have our best interest in mind, I do not believe President Clinton, University President Judith Rodin or Blackwell has me, their constituent, on their minds when they make their decisions. It is for each of us as individuals and as a group to fight for our rights, freedom and opportunities? and then there could possibly be a "justice for all."