Opinions
May 1 , 2022
9
The Merionite
Democracy on the ropes
Connor Kleinman ’24 Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” The war in Ukraine has caused a new reckoning for democracies around the world. In the largest European war in history since World War II, the Russian invasion has clearly drawn lines between countries that support Ukraine, like France, and countries that don’t.. But does this mean that the United States will always be democratic? The hope of democracy as something permanent is consistent throughout American history. Archibald MacLeish once said, “Democracy is never a thing done. Democracy is always something that a nation must be doing.” However, nations must beware of democratic backsliding. In order to prevent this from happening in the United States, it is crucial that LM students vote. The looming danger of democratic backsliding is one of increasing magnitude. The term democratic backsliding means the erosion of democratic norms. Institutions such as the Democracy Index, an organization which tracks democracy, says that countries previously perceived as democratic, like Hungary or India, are experiencing backsliding. During the Russian civil war, Leon Trotsky, a Bolshevik, told the remaining legislators advocating for a democratic republic to, “‘go to the place where you belong from now on - the dustbin of history!” This was the end of a dream that a new, democratic Russia could have formed. Instead, Russia embarked on years of terror. Such norms are going to this dustbin of history around the world, and, for the first time, the number of people living in a democracy has shrunk in the past decade.
It is clear that democratic backsliding is occurring. Around the world, politicians are beginning to make moves for undisputed power. In Hungary, Victor Orban ran on a platform of opposing the European Union, Middle Eastern migrants, and LGBTQ+ rights, in direct opposition to the majority of peaceful, democratic countries. With full control over the state media and the economy, he was able to win in a landslide against an opponent whom many considered Hungary’s “last best hope” to save their fragile democracy. In France and the United States, leaders who are staunch supporters of democracy have come under attack from illiberal politicians who proclaim that the elections will be stolen from them. For example, Donald
dents have a moral obligation to vote. Voting is the best way to save and protect our democracy, as voting proves that we still have a democracy— especially when you vote for change. Whether it is for socialism, liberalism, conservatism, or any other political ideology, as long as the candidate supports democracy, a vote is a voice for democracy. Even more importantly, your vote can protect others. A vote can push a candidate over the finish line, and that candidate could legislate the continuing of voting rights efforts. Just like how your lack of a vote could allow someone who is undemocratic to win power. Looking at the numbers, we can clearly see that the voter turnout rate in American is not what it should be. The dismal turnout rating among youth voters in the 2020 election (only just over 50%) was actually an increase of over 10 percentage points, the highest ever. The “sky high” turnout from under 75% of registered voters did not represent a high amount of youth voters. As Obama said, “the biggest threat to our democracy is cynicism – a cynicism that’s led too many people to turn away from politics and stay home on election day” Some people argue that their vote will not change anything. However, this narrative could not be further from wrong. In 2000, George Bush defeated Al Gore for the presidency by only 537 Florida votes. Pennsylvania is a pivotal swing state too. If you want to step into a new world, where that world is made safe for democracy, then you must vote for those candidates who represent you. We don’t all have to be politicians or like politics. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t know and talk about the issues plaguing our nation. Students and citizens reading this must all encourage everyone we know who is able to vote, and for those who can, vote themselves. Learn how to vote, and share that information. Democracy is not a given. ThroughGraphic by Emma Liu ’22/Staff out the world, the dark cloud that represents governments without deTrump refused to accept that he lost the 2020 elec- mocracy is descending over millions of people. tion, claiming that his loss was the result of election Let that not be us also. Jay Griffths said, “Befraud. When politicians go against the norms of ing adequately informed is a democratic duty, democratic societies, democracy is on the decline. just as the vote is a democratic right. A misinSo how can we, as LM students, help to stop formed electorate, voting without knowledge, is such a large issue? Although saving the face of our not a true democracy.” Ask others to vote, teach democracy sounds like an arduous task, we them to vote, inspire them to vote. The shining can start with one simple step: voting. LM stu- city on the hill must not descend into darkness.
Name-change necessity
Anisa Pugh ’22 Harriton High School. When the name is spoken one may think about lavish lifestyles and old money. But how would someone feel if they found out that these lifestyles were built on the backs of enslaved people and swept under the rug like they never existed? Harriton High School’s name praises slavery and needs to be changed. Examination and reform should not end where Lower Merion begins. Many students have become aware of and taken concern with the history of Harriton High School and, more specifically, its name. The name “Harriton’’ derives from Hannah Norris’s family, widely known as Norriton. Hannah Norris married Richard Harrison whose last names combined to form Harriton. Harrison, however, was a slave owner who built a 700 acre tabacco empire on the backs of enslaved African-Americans. The name of a school has extreme importance. In
many cases, schools will be named in testament to the contributions of important historical figures. In many cases, schools are named after people who had a strong influence over the founding of that school. However, neither Harrison nor Norris contributed in any way to Harriton High School. What place does a slave owner with little to no connection with a school have in being celebrated by the establishment itself? When a school is named after a person with no connection to the given school, it is presumed to be named in remembrance and celebration of an individual or set of ideals an individual showed. Lower Merion School District has attempted to justify the name by providing information about the history on the Harriton website. They mention that Thomson, the successor of the plot of land and plantation, was avidly against slavery and wrote to President, Thomas Jefferson as such. They also point out the convenient plaque outside the main office honors Thomson and his achievements. However, Thomson is not who the school is named after. A simple plaque in a lobby is not reparation for the damage of a building named Harriton. Students should not have to walk through doors coated with praise for a slave owner. The unchanged status of the school’s name reveals a crucial pattern; our words and speech on equity mean little when we aren’t willing to admit our past and current wrongdoings. To admit this requires responsibility and accountabil-
Noah Barkan ’24 ity, which many in the district seem to lack. We must hold ourselves accountable for the history that stares us in our faces in the most blatant ways. Changing Harriton High School’s name is imperative to accountability. Though the name of Harriton may present solace and lasting tradition to many, the history cannot be ignored. Many feel changing the name will change the culture of Harriton and shift the present traditions. We would have to agree. Changing the name means adjusting present cultures that discount celebrations of slavery as a positive. It means forming a culture of accountability and willingness for students to be critical of their district. Further, it would demonstrate to students the truth that slavery was a codemable atrocity with lasting impacts in the now. Those who contributed to it are not worth a celebration, a testament, or even a name.
