Kneen He is president of the North County Bar Association and lives in Encinitas.
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day as a day of national dedication to the principles of government based on law. In 1961, Congress proclaimed his May 1st as the official day to celebrate Law Day, and it remains so to this day. This year’s Law Day theme is “Voices of Democracy,” celebrating the people’s right to express their political views and govern themselves.
Eisenhower not only instituted Law Day, he presided over an era not unlike our own. In Eisenhower’s inaugural address on January 20, 1953, he said in pertinent part:
“We feel with all our beings that the forces of good and evil are coming together, taking up arms, and confronting each other like never before in history. This fact defines the meaning of this day. … Since the beginning of this century, stormy times seem to have arrived on the continents of the earth. … For our country, it has been a time of repeated trials. We have overcome the fears of depression and war and reached a peak unparalleled in human history… We live in a time of great events. We find ourselves fumbling to know the full meaning and meaning of…how far have we come in humanity’s long pilgrimage from darkness to light? Is a day of freedom and peace approaching for all humanity? Or is another night’s shadow looming over us? … This test will bring about good or evil? Occurs in a moment when the power of the world surpasses the brightest hopes and keenest fears of all ages. It can change the course of rivers and flatten mountains into plains. Sea, land, and sky are ours. It’s a huge avenue of commerce. Less disease and longer lives. But this promise of life is at risk from the very genius that made it possible.”
President Eisenhower’s words are as applicable today as they were in 1953. One only has to read the daily news to understand that the forces of good and evil are “gathering, arming, and in conflict.” But two people reading the same news report may disagree about which is good and which is bad, let alone agree on the correct political outcome.
As Americans, we enjoy this Law Day and celebrate the individual voice in our democracy. However, we live in a society where it is increasingly common to be quick to talk and slow to listen. In this election year, we struggle and grope in a swirling sea of ​​words to find not just meaning, but hope. The challenge on this Law Day is not only to be a voice for democracy and make our opinions known, but also to listen to the opinions of others with the purpose of understanding those with whom we disagree, rather than listening to them with the purpose of denigrating them. It’s about listening to someone’s voice. In a polarized society, it is easier to shout your opinion and demand silence than to exercise self-control, listen, and seek understanding.
But our collective voice is the heartbeat and essence of our democracy. Democracy is characterized by many voices, while tyranny tolerates only one voice. A nation founded on democratic principles must find a way to overcome conflict and preserve the many voices of democracy. Rather than finding fault, we must strive to move our collective political understanding from conflict and strife to peace and hope for our society and our great nation. . As this year’s Law Day theme celebrates, the tongue is powerful. Indeed, it has the power to “achieve good or bring about evil.” May we listen to other voices of democracy, and may we choose to be the true voice of democracy, especially when we disagree with them.
Beginning May 1 and continuing throughout May, bar associations, courts, schools, and community organizations will put special emphasis on programs to educate the public about the importance of the rule of law in a civilized society. The importance of our democratic voice.
In celebration of Law Day, the Northern San Diego County Bar Association will hold a free legal consultation Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Vista County Library, 700 Eucalyptus Avenue. For more information, visit northcountybar.org.
