The POWER Lies With The People When We Use It

Khalilah Sabra
6 min readAug 25, 2024

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Duplicitous power knows where its interests lie, and so does the machinery that licenses and strengthens the politics of corruption and indoctrination.

Sadly, these forces have become foundational elements in society’s structure, like the keystone of a mighty archway that holds everything in place. Removing this keystone would not only challenge the entire structure it supports but also require a struggle of immense magnitude — a struggle marked by the kind of sacrifice that accompanies all significant events and profound human transformations.

America cannot truly be for all Americans until we, its citizens, take the necessary steps to fix it. The reality is that America remains unfixed, a nation still grappling with deep-seated issues that prevent it from fulfilling its promise of equality and justice for all. The United States is currently bound by the decisions of Supreme Court justices who not only openly violate the law but also infringe upon women’s rights and undermine the very foundations of our democracy.

These justices hold immense power, yet some have used that power to push agendas that are out of step with the values of justice and equality. When those entrusted with upholding the Constitution instead trample on the rights of half the population and weaken the democratic principles that should protect us all, the integrity of our nation is called into question. Therefore, we, the people, are responsible for addressing these injustices. It is up to us to demand accountability from those in power, to advocate for a legal system that truly reflects the ideals upon which this country was founded, and to work tirelessly to ensure that America becomes a nation where every citizen is respected, and their rights are upheld. Until we achieve that, America remains unfixed.

Justices Thomas, Alito, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Coney Barrett deny autonomy; they deny self-determination and the right to govern our own lives. They openly caress what is evil and eliminate all the values that enable integrity and equality under the law. The phrase “it is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive” emphasizes the importance of understanding the principles and intentions behind the law rather than simply adhering to its literal wording or technical procedures. The “form of law” refers to the specific language, rules, and procedures that make up legal statutes. While these are essential for maintaining order and clarity, they do not fully encapsulate the essence of justice. The “spirit of law,” on the other hand, represents the deeper values, moral principles, and ethical intentions that the law is meant to uphold.

In its true form, justice goes beyond mere compliance with legal technicalities. It requires that the outcomes of legal processes are fair, equitable, and reflective of the law’s intended purpose. When we focus solely on the form of law, justice can become rigid, mechanical, and sometimes even unjust, as the law’s application may not account for the complexities and nuances of human situations. By prioritizing the spirit of the law, we ensure that justice remains dynamic, compassionate, and aligned with the moral goals that the law is supposed to serve.

In legal systems, this means that lawmakers, legal practitioners, and especially Supreme Court Justices are obligated to interpret and apply the rules in ways that fulfill their intended purpose rather than distort the letter of the law.

This approach allows for flexibility and adaptation to ensure that the law serves the common good and protects human dignity. Historically, many significant advancements in justice have occurred when individuals or movements have challenged the form of the law in favor of its spirit, recognizing that the true aim of the law is to promote fairness, equality, and the well-being of society.

“We the People” stand at a critical crossroads, faced with a profound decision that will shape the future of our society. The vitality of our justice system, the essence of our democracy, and the strength of our nation depend on our collective ability to understand and embody the ethical and moral intentions that underlie the laws we have established. It is not enough to merely follow the letter of the law; we must ensure that our legal system serves its true purpose — to create a society that is fair, just, and equitable for all.

“*We the People” must choose whether to honor the ideals of a pluralistic society — a society that draws its strength from the richness of its diversity, the freedoms it guarantees, and the diplomacy it practices. In such a society, we respect and protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity. We understand that our differences are not a weakness but a source of strength and that true justice is achieved when everyone is afforded the same opportunities and protections.

However, this nation also faces the threat of a different path — a path marked by division, bigotry, and the erosion of the very freedoms that define us. This path was starkly illustrated during Donald Trump’s presidency, when his administration’s rhetoric and policies fueled fragmentation and perpetual tension within our society. His tenure represented a departure from the values that have historically united us, an “immoral implant” that threatened to undermine the foundations of our democracy.

We the people must now decide: will we empower the forces of division, allowing bigotry and intolerance to tear at the fabric of our society? Or will we rise to the occasion, reaffirming our commitment to a culture that values freedom, justice, and equality? The choice is ours, and it will define the legacy we leave for future generations.

We the people must remember that our strength lies in unity and our shared commitment to justice and equality. By embracing the spirit of the law and rejecting the temptations of divisiveness, we can keep justice alive and ensure that our society remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for all. The time to act is now, for the decisions we make today will shape the future of our nation and the world.

We need leadership whose value judgments will be made with the same wisdom and level of care one would exercise with one’s own loved ones. The United States must be the brainchild of a president who believes in cooperation, assimilation, and in the miracle of “liberty and justice for all.”

We the people stand at a defining moment in our history, where the future of our democracy hangs in the balance. The time has come for us to rally behind a leader who will govern with unwavering resolve, driven by a profound commitment to the ideals that have shaped our nation’s promise. This leader must embody the dream and belief that a just, fair, and inclusive society is not only possible but inevitable if we are steadfast in our pursuit of these values.

We have witnessed the dangers of totalitarianism creeping into the heart of our democracy, threatening to erode the very freedoms that generations before us have fought to protect. We cannot allow another attempt to take root — a malignant force that seeks to undermine our democratic institutions and sow discord among our people. It is time to bury the poisonous remnants of this cult of personality in the political graveyard of its own making, where it belongs alongside the skeletons of those who have betrayed their oaths of office and the trust of the American people.

America’s foundation is built upon a system of government where state officials and elected representatives are entrusted with making the most critical decisions on behalf of the people. But these decisions must not be left to mere placeholders — functionaries beholden to a candidate whose ultimate goal is dismantling our evolving democracy. Such individuals cannot dictate our nation’s course; their allegiance lies not with the people, but with the destructive ideologies they serve.

We the people must demand leadership that is visionary, principled, and committed to the long-term health of our democracy. This leadership must reject the toxic allure of authoritarianism and instead champion the values of freedom, justice, and equality that are the bedrock of our society. The decisions we face are too important to be left to those who would use their positions of power to serve narrow interests or to erode the democratic processes that protect us all.

In this critical hour, we must come together to support a leader who will not only defend our democracy, but actively work to strengthen it. This is our responsibility as citizens — to ensure that the power of our government is wielded by those who honor their oaths and are committed to the common good. The future of our nation depends on it, and we cannot afford to falter at this moment of decision.

By Khalilah Sabra

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Khalilah Sabra
Khalilah Sabra

Written by Khalilah Sabra

Dr. Khalilah Sabra, LL.M, Attorney (@khalilahsabra): Doctorate in International Law, Executive Director (MAS Immigrant Justice Center)

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