A More Perfect Union: Reflections on Constitution Day
Photograph of Lincoln Memorial Youth March for Integrated Schools. Photograph/National Archives Catalog. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. National Capital Parks. (10/9/1933 - 1/22/1962).
By Abbey L. Pike
Two hundred and thirty-four years ago to the day, the framers signed the Constitution of the United States. Arguably, the Constitution remains the greatest instrument for fair governance ever produced, promising human liberty and dignity to an extent that no country before had ever dared. The framers intended the Constitution to thrive as a lasting document, so they designed a solid basis for governance and individual liberty but wove in avenues for social and governmental change. It has evolved in response to a changing society through the amendment process: outlawing slavery, granting women and minorities the right to vote, and guaranteeing equal protection under the law. The Constitution is a living and breathing document, amiable to change, but written to protect Americans for centuries.
It is impossible to ignore the instances when the government and Constitution have failed to protect citizens throughout history. Racial discrimination has underpinned every decade, from the removal of Native Americans to segregation to the Japanese Internment camps of World War II. These injustices are the result of government decisions based on prejudice, panic, and self-interest, and they are blatant violations of the Constitution’s principles.
Many wonder if the Constitution is still relevant because the United States government has previously failed to follow its guidance. However, the Constitution and its provisions have made periods of immense progress possible. The recent “Black Lives Matter” movement is the latest Constitutional reckoning. This movement asks us to decide, as a people, how equal protection under the law can become a reality. The rights to justice and equality are already prescribed in the Constitution, and this movement demands that the government respect them.
The Constitution can be an instrument for progress or rendered obsolete if leaders violate it unchecked. It has served as a unifier, guiding Americans through 234 years of inequality, contention, and crises. As this new era dawns, we should not be so quick to disregard this tool for change. Progress is possible, but it will take awareness, dedication, and engagement from every citizen as we fight for the full realization of Constitutional guarantees.
On this anniversary, it is imperative that we acknowledge the Constitution as a basis for every freedom, and one of the most potent tools for progress. Many of our hard-won rights are under attack, notably the right to participate in fair election processes. The conflict of the 2020 Presidential election culminated in an attack on the United States Capitol and an overt rejection of democracy. This attack demonstrated a dangerous willingness to deny a fundamental right in favor of hyper-partisanship. Democracy, freedom, and social progress are not inevitable; they are the result of an ongoing commitment each one of us must make to the pursuit of liberty, equality, and justice for all. The Constitution is a living document, a solid foundation from which we can continue to build until its promises are fulfilled.
Photo/Abbey L. Pike.
Abbey L. Pike is a third-year student at the University of Nevada, Reno, studying Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Sociology. She is dedicated to serving her community through democratic education and civic engagement, and she currently serves as the Student Outreach Coordinator for the Associated Students of the University of Nevada's Legislative Affairs Department.
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