|
"How Can We Improve Respect for Law?"
Name: Zachary Velcoff, First Prize Winner
School: The Leon M. Goldstein
High School for the Sciences, Brooklyn, NY
Teacher: Mr.
Gwinn
How Can We
Improve Respect for Law?
Ideally, in a democratic society, the role of the government is to fulfill the public will. Law enforcement
exists to ensure the security of civilians. To improve respect for law, legislators and enforcers must understand the difference
between fear and respect. Fear is the emotion one has for a tyrant; respect,
the emotion one has for a benevolent leader. Fear creates resentment, but respect
engenders appreciation. It is imperative that we do not increase punishments or threats, but instead find ways to ensure peaceful
cooperation between citizens and law enforcement. This task consists of fostering community appreciation for law
enforcement, ending antagonistic relationships (or the perceptions thereof) between legal officials and citizens, and increasing
awareness of the effectiveness of law enforcement in maintaining a prosperous, safe society.
Can we teach people to be good citizens? Although our schools
and authorities attempt to do so, they are often unsuccessful. Many home and
peer environments are not conducive to a positive world outlook, empathy for fellow human beings, or respect for law. Greed, small-mindedness, frustration, and hatred are also to blame. A white-collar criminal who embezzles from trusting clients is just as guilty as a mugger on the street.
Both cases are violations of human rights. How
can we change people’s unwillingness or incapacity to show compassion for their fellow human beings? If we cannot
make people better, can we prevent future generations from engaging in negative behaviors? By
taking certain steps, we can begin to create a more lawful society.
Law enforcement agencies, to be effective, cannot be perceived as enemies by those they protect. “Courtesy, Professionalism, and Respect” cannot just be a motto; it must
become a doctrine. A community that values and appreciates the work of its policemen,
instead of fearing or resenting them, is a community that experiences declining crime rates. People
should not feel that the law is vindictive (and that they profit from disobeying it). Therefore,
the law must not be petty. For example, the mandatory minimum sentences imposed
by the Rockefeller Drug Laws should be replaced with treatment and rehabilitation programs. This
way, the law acts as friend and guide, not as punisher.
If civilians are able to develop amiable relationships with local law enforcement they will soon see
that its true goal is to protect them, that it means them no harm, and that it wants to (and can) be their ally. The New York
Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, for instance, has had great success in creating positive community-police relations;
this program should be expanded and emulated in other states.
Finally, the news media must emphasize the positive contributions of effective law enforcement. Citizens should notice when regulatory agencies function effectively, and when policemen
prevent robberies, solve crimes, or help civilians in need. When people understand
that a successful, sympathetic legal system improves their quality of life, they will develop a deeper respect for the law.
As Confucius said, “If you lead on the people with correctness, who will
dare not to be correct?”
***********************************************************************
Name: Kristen Glynn Markoe, Second Prize Winner
School: Staten Island Technical High School, Staten Island, NY
Teacher: Mr.Erlenwein
How Can We Improve Respect for Law?
An important quest for our generation is to improve respect for the law. Laws are made to protect members of a community.
It makes sense to educate all individuals about laws beginning at an early age. Education relating to age appropriate laws
is essential to engage the learner. This knowledge will foster a healthy relationship between the individual and the law.
Age appropriate laws would include pertinent information from local community legal professionals. Grade school topics should
address laws regarding internet safety, text messaging, pedophile danger and possible consequences of bullying behavior and
prank phone calling risks. Along with the advice the legal expert should suggest alternative ways to handle these situations
while providing a list of community based organizations to help families. The goal is to create respect, awareness and appreciation
for the law through age appropriate education. Respect for the law should
be a habit that we instill in our younger generation. In high school the education about the law should relate to driving,
alcohol and drugs, weapons, possible guilt by association, safe-dating, facebook /internet safety, identity theft and sextexting,
just to mention a few hot topics.
The information should be relevant so that the individual can relate to and understand what is being taught to them.
The goal is to educate individuals to be responsible and accountable for their own actions, it is the law, no excuses! An
informed individual can make responsible decisions regarding the law and live as a productive member of society.
Recently, I learned about the law. As a typical teenager I argued and pleaded with my parents to let me drive in New York even though I only had my learner’s permit. I whined
relentlessly about how I would never pass my road test without practicing and it would be their fault. My parents repeated
the law over and over again. All I heard was blah, blah, blah, you cannot drive my car; we do not have a dual brake. That
is the New York State
law. Emotionally and physically exhausted, my parents had me call the Department of Motor Vehicles to educate myself about
the laws regarding driving with only a permit and the consequences of breaking the law. Once I increased my awareness that
I could lose my license even before I received it, I realized that it was an unsafe risk that I was not willing to take. Knowing
the law and its consequences helped me make an informed intellectual decision. Thankfully,
my parents and the clerk at motor vehicles educated me and encouraged me to respect the law. We must create a partnership
with schools, legal experts, police precincts, community organizations and neighbors to promote positive relationships and
respect for the law. The purpose of the law is to create an environment where people can be safe and live in harmony. What
a great learning experience and I even passed my road test!
***********************************************************************
Name: MarieClaire
Graham, Third Prize (Tie) Winner
School: Staten Island Technical High School
Teacher: Ms. Cibelli
How Can We Improve Respect For Law?
Throughout
my short life, I’ve noticed that, like happiness, respect for the law and authority is contagious. The collective mind
of the adolescent is both impressionable and receptive. By combining these two features, it is quite easy to spread ideas,
as long as one takes a stand. Respect for the law is vital to the health and safety of this country. But it must be attained
through these careful steps. We must first find respect within ourselves, look toward those who exemplify the morality and
honor we seek, and finally, help spread respect to others.
Sweeping
reform, community programs and incarceration as punishment have all been proven as effective methods of maintaining and promoting
respect for the law. But there is a much gentler, philosophical approach that we can all incorporate into our lives.
We can begin to improve respect for the law by looking into our own hearts. If we ever hope to become leaders and spread respect
for those who put their lives on the line for the protection of citizens, we must find the same respect within ourselves.
When we learn how to respect ourselves a natural, positive confidence begins to grow, and helps us avoid the temptation of
committing wrongdoings, giving us the strength to lead others.
We
can see how respect is a seed planted within ourselves. Respect germinates when we can find a hero. A hero is a regular person,
like a police officer or a soldier on the front lines, who possesses qualities that we both admire and strive to emulate.
If we look for the most important aspects in a hero- sincerity, kindness and goodwill- we will begin to see these facets within
ourselves, and can learn how to develop these traits in others. Heroes come in many forms, but they are always the ones to
take a stand against what they believe is wrong, and always work towards bringing people together in acceptance and, eventually,
harmony. So maybe they don’t fly around wearing a red cape and using laser beams to take down foes. They are still more
powerful than any Superman.
Introspective
strength is the first building block to a brighter future, and finding a hero helps to develop that seed. But it truly begins
to bloom once we reach out to others. Like ripples in a pond, our path must spread outward. The spirit of volunteerism currently
being promoted by our government on the local and national levels is another tool we can use in promoting respect for the
law. Seeing the value in others through cooperation and sharing will cultivate tolerance, compassion and understanding.
Find
a hero. Become a hero. Set an example within your inner circle through a spirit of communication and cooperation, and always
remember to look past the temptation to do what is wrong or what pop culture dictates by looking within ourselves for what
is fresh and true.
***********************************************************************
Name: Gabrielle Otero, Third Prize (Tie) Winner
School: Preston High School, Bronx, NY
Teacher: Ms. Connolly
How Can We Improve Respect for Law?
I sat under an oak tree in my uncle’s backyard, resting my back against its rough bark, watching after my younger
cousins. The sun was arrogantly bright and the air was thick with Spring as my eyes wandered from child to child, watching
for any trouble or mischief as they scurried about. The older children basically took care of themselves, their judgment adequate
enough to determine right from wrong. And as I watched them bask in the first real day of Spring, my eyes gazed over the quiet
one-year-old sitting several yards away with a Dixie cup in his lap and the evidence of its vanilla and chocolate goodness
spread over his mouth. His quietness reeked with mischief despite his innocent age and I was drawn to him. I sat beside the
toddler and was greeted with a chocolate smile. I looked over his shoulder as he reached his sugary stained hands into the
grass, place a few strands in his cup and proceed to scoop the concoction into his mouth. I took the tainted afternoon snack
from his tiny fingers and replaced it with a new one. He proceeded to place even more grass into the fresh ice cream cup.
I took the cup from him and giggled: after all, he didn’t know any better.
Legal illiteracy has become a pandemic in our nation. Citizens know more about the rules of the latest video game than
the laws within their own state. Our ability to live as independent beings within this country should not blind our responsibility
to live as knowledgeable citizens. After musing over a logical reason as to why there is such a lack of respect for the law
I came to the conclusion of legal illiteracy. This term encompasses two distinct definitions. Either people do not know of
the law accurately or they misconstrue the law, living their lives under a false interpretation of the legal system (which
has consequently led to the litigious society we live in, yet more evidence of our lack of respect for the law). Furthermore,
the reason for such occurrences lies in the inability to access laws. Many laws cannot be found in a simple Google search
and those that are remotely accessible to the public are dressed from head to toe in legal jargon too cryptic to be understood
by the average citizen. In simple terms our legal system needs to become “user-friendly”. I think that if our
laws were written in a more colloquial language, our citizens would respect them more. By respect I do not mean agree with,
because there are many laws in this country that people do not agree with. However, I simply mean abide by for the betterment
of our society as a whole. If individuals passionately oppose certain laws they should work towards changing them through legal and fair means. Such actions show the highest respect for the law.
The correlation between the simple experience I shared regarding my cousins and that which has become the American
society is unmistakable. If we don’t teach our citizens about laws how do
we expect them to abide and respect them. Education is the key. The time to unlock
a new era regarding citizen interaction with our legal system is now.
|
