Statewide Essay Contest Held to CELEBRATE NATION’ S 250 TH CELEBRATION
The United States District Court District of North Dakota Federal Practice Committee’ s Civic Engagement Subcommittee hosted a local student essay contest to celebrate America’ s 250th birthday. The contest invited North Dakota students in grades six through 12 to submit an essay addressing either a North Dakota specific or national prompt.
Jake Hausmann, from North Star School in Cando, was the middle school winner, and Fatima Diaby from Sheyenne High School in West Fargo, was the high school winner. Each student winner received a $ 250 prize, was invited to their local federal courthouse, and had their essays published in The Gavel.
HIGH SCHOOL WINNING ESSAY:
AMERICA’ S CONSCIENCE: THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY“ How has the Federal Judiciary shaped American government, society, or culture?”
By Fatima Diaby
In the 250-year history of the United States of America, our three branches of government have served multiple roles in our society. These include working to create laws that protect American citizens, choosing what decisions will benefit citizens the most, and interpreting the supreme law of the land. In fact, the last role is one of the most significant to shaping American society. The federal judiciary has shaped American society by aiding in developing key American values, properly carrying out the will of the Constitution, and impacting how we engage with politics. These things lead me to describe the federal judiciary as America ' s conscience.
To begin, the federal judiciary has made an impact on American society by helping further implement key American values. The Supreme Court cases Brown v. Board of Education( 1954) and Tinker v. Des Moines( 1969) both show this exactly. Brown v. Board of Education demonstrated that not all Americans were equal and challenged that. This case furthered the ideas of true equality in our society. Tinker v. Des Moines is similar; it made the concept of free speech more American.
Often, our country has not practiced the values it finds the most important, but the federal judiciary corrects these many times. In modern America, everybody is equal, citizens value transparency and privacy, and individualism is very important to us. But a century ago, our main values may have been different.
Next, the federal judiciary has affected American society by carrying out the will of the Constitution. In Marbury v. Madison( 1803), the Supreme Court sided with the Constitution over decisions made by legislators. This showed Americans that the most divisive issues can be solved with reasoning from the Constitution. This impacts society, as the case set the Constitution as the main law, meaning we shape our expectations of law from the Constitution. The laws in a society change how the people view their surroundings, decisions, and beliefs.
Moreover, American society has been changed by the federal judiciary, which has altered how Americans engage with politics. An example of a case that impacts this is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission( 2010). This case deals
Fatima Diaby
with the intersection of free speech and elections. The impact politics can have on a society is frequently understated. Beliefs and cultural traits can often shape societies, so this decision led to a shift in society itself. Groups with certain opinions can have a bigger say than an individual, and that means something for a society.
To end, American courts have made an indelible mark on our society. Our judiciary system has served as a conscience for this country, from helping make progress in societal issues, helping to carry out the will of the Constitution, and changing how we interact with politics. The human conscience serves as a guide for life, and our American conscience stands as our guide to navigating society.
22 THE GAVEL