Stand Tall for Democracy

In an era of rising disinformation, polarization, and institutional decay, it is no longer hyperbole to say that American liberal democracy is under serious threat. The freedoms and norms that once formed the backbone of this republic are being eroded from both within and without. But despite these dangers, or perhaps because of them, it is worth fighting to preserve what remains—and rebuild what has been lost.

At its core, liberal democracy rests on three foundational principles: free and fair elections, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights. These aren't abstract ideals. They are the reason civil rights movements succeeded, the reason journalists can hold the powerful to account, and the reason a citizen's vote matters. When these principles are weakened, everyone suffers—not just the politically engaged, but ordinary people whose lives depend on fair governance.

The warning signs are no longer subtle. We see gerrymandered districts and voter suppression laws that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. We witness the judicial system being packed for ideological gain. We endure a media landscape awash with propaganda and conspiracy. And perhaps most dangerously, we’ve watched political violence become normalized.

Events like the January 6th insurrection and the recent federal military lockdown in Los Angeles reveal a frightening willingness by some to discard the democratic process altogether. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a broader pattern of institutional degradation and authoritarian drift.

When Los Angeles became locked down under military rule at the hands of the federal government, it wasn’t just a local story—it was a national wakeup call. Democracy may look invincible, but it isn’t. It fades when citizens stop holding power to account, when we stop protesting overreach, when we mistake fanaticism for patriotism.

Critics argue that democracy has failed to deliver justice and equality. They are not wrong to highlight the failures—but abandoning democracy will not solve those problems. Liberal democracy remains the only framework that gives us a peaceful mechanism for change. Autocracy might promise order, but it delivers it through repression, not justice.

We need a renewed civic culture rooted in courage, responsibility, and solidarity. That means voting in every election, challenging disinformation, and refusing to be cowed by intimidation or apathy. It means defending the rights of those we disagree with, because their rights and ours are interdependent.

When Los Angeles became locked down under military rule at the hands of the federal government, it wasn’t just a local story—it was a national wakeup call. Democracy may look invincible, but it isn’t. It fades when citizens stop holding power to account, when we stop protesting overreach, when we mistake fanaticism for patriotism.

And let’s be honest: the situation is likely to become worse before it gets better. The machinery of authoritarianism feeds on fear and disunity, and we are already seeing the early symptoms—disinformation, intimidation, and the weaponization of institutions. But history teaches us that darkness is not destiny.

We must stand tall for democracy—not because it is perfect, but because it is our best hope for a just and free society. Courage, clarity, and collective resistance will be required. We may be tested, but we are not powerless.

America remains worth fighting for—but only if we remember that democracy doesn't protect itself. It needs us.