The Western New England University School of Law Institute for Legislative and Governmental Affairs recently hosted a talk to celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.
The presentation was guided by Dr. Alice Hearst, professor of Government at Smith College in Northampton, MA. Dr. Hearst explored the question of whether or not the constitution, as it was drafted in 1787, meets the country’s needs in the 21st Century. “I am not fully confident that a document signed in 1787 serves our citizens in 2017. That does not, of course, mean that I believe that the constitution needs to be scrapped,” explained Hearst.
“Although it was re-written and augmented in significant ways throughout its history, adding amendments that institute equal protections, and attempts at implementing social fairness for people of all races, gender and sexual identity, that still does not make it a perfect document,” Hearst added.
In what Hearst believes to be a “divisive time” in the United States, she encouraged the audience to acknowledge the importance of basic inalienable rights, and to continue to fight for full representation, justice, and equal access for all, but also focus on what we're missing, such as the rights that enhance our autonomy and keep the state from interfering with lawful citizen actions.
