On September 27th, Stockton Political Engagement Project sponsored Constitution Day presented by Dr. Akhil Reed Amar. When first learning about this event, I wasn’t particularly excited to attend the event. In my high school years, history wasn’t my favorite subject, especially in the realm of politics and government. Still to this day, I stay away from politics mainly because I feel as if I am not educated enough in that area. Yes, I have my beliefs on certain political issues and I stand by them firmly, yet I have the fear that my lack of education will make me appear unintelligent when trying to engage in a political conversation. In fact, I fear that my voice will not be heard but that it will be squandered and disregarded. From the talk presented last Wednesday, I felt as though my knowledge on American political history and current events elevated and now I can hold an intellectual conversation with my peers.
For Dr. Amar to even consider coming to our institution was a big deal. Not only is he a renowned orator and professor of law and political science at Yale College and Law School, he was also given an award for Teaching Excellence. In the discussion held, Dr. Amar took a very enthusiastic approach to relaying the information and knowledge of politics to his audience. Due to this enthusiasm, I was enthralled throughout the entire duration of the program- feverishly jotting down notes as I listened to Dr. Amar speak. Most of the information he relayed was that of which I had learned my junior year of high school in my AP US History class. Knowledge that I had previously known was the 14th amendment, which was recently discussed in my Honors Freshman Seminar class, along with the political unrest between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists when composing the Constitution.
However, there was information presented that was news to my ears. For instance, I was fond of the fact that Dr. Amar incorporated Richard Stockton, the man whom our institution honors, into his lecture. What made this incorporation intriguing was that I didn’t know that Richard Stockton was alive as well as an active member in politics in colonial America. Also, I was unaware that he was captured, tortured, and broken by the British. In addition, there was a quote that resonated with me: “The world is becoming American.” When first hearing this, I was puzzled. How could the world become Americanized? Once Dr. Amar explained the meaning behind the quote though, it was no longer baffling to me. He claims that by America declaring its independence and then by establishing its own government, the country launched the idea of democracy to the world. To me, this gives me a great sense of pride and patriotism for our country. It is impressive to say that our country spearheaded a take on politics yearned for by countries throughout the world. Overall, I felt as if this experience enlightened me immensely on American politics.