Fighting for the Rights

Transcript Staff Writer

For more than 200 years the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution have safeguarded American citizens' civil liberties. As part of a "living document," the Bill of Rights once stood as the clear line of demarcation between the U.S. and other countries.

But over the decades, freedoms once won with blood have been taken for granted and reduced to little more than ignored desperate housewives. Sure they are there, but do you really see them?

It is that mentality that has more Americans familiar with the "Simpson" family and "American Idol" judges than the fruits of James Madison's, "Father of the Constitution" labor. This has unsettled several Norman residents who have taken it upon themselves to reverse the trend.

"Most people know more about the "Simpsons" cast than the Bill or Rights," said Dr. Charles Wesner, 66, member of the Bill of Rights Democracy Project.

Fellow member Dr. Bruce Prescott, 54, added, "It's obvious we have some problems with all these reports."

The reports Wesner and Prescott are referring to are the recent studies conducted by the Knight Foundation and the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum. According to the Knight Foundation findings, 36 percent of 100,000 high school students thought newspapers should seek government approval prior to publishing. Seventy-three percent of those same students said they took their First Amendment rights for granted or didn't know how they felt about them.

The McCormick Tribune survey didn't fare much better. The study conducted telephone interviews with 1,000 adults and found only one person could name all five First Amendment freedoms ? speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. By comparison, about one in five had no trouble listing the Simpson family ? Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and Maggie. And even more trouble for the First Amendment, it seems "American Idol" judges, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, are more easily identified than at least three rights.

"The Bill of Rights is the thing that makes our country unique," Wesner said. "This is a document we should be celebrating and reminded of. Unfortunately, we have taken it for granted."

Inspired by an idea from the Young Democrats of Norman High School, the Bill of Rights Democracy Project, a non-partisan group, would like to remind area high schools student of the importance of the first ten amendments. The group currently is accepting donations to purchase a 3 x 4 foot bronze plaque of the Bill of Rights for both Norman High and Norman North High School. So far the organization has raised $2,000 but would like $8,000 more to ensure they cover the cost of the plaques estimated at $4,000 each. Prescott and Wesner said this could help student understand their rights as citizens.

"This is a worthwhile project for any high school in the state," Prescott said of their efforts. "This is really important and fundamental. Who can argue about this? I think you will find people from all across the political spectrum who think this is a good idea."

One endorsement, and probably the most important, the group has picked up is from Norman Public Schools. A proposal was sent to NPS last year and won approval. Superintendent Dr. Joseph Siano said the project was worthy and looked forward to the plaques in the schools.

"The Bill of Rights is an important part of our history and the freedoms we all enjoy," Siano said. "We appreciate this donation of the Bill of Rights display to our schools and students."

Students, teachers and administrators will have to wait to until at least next school year before the raised-lettered 250 pound bronze slabs are attached to the hallways of NHS and NNHS. A Sept. 18, Constitution Day, celebration also is in the works as the organization hopes to present the plaques at that time. With any luck, Prescott hopes they will have a successful summer fundraising push to continue with the project.

"If there is money left over," he said. "We will go from one high school to the next in Cleveland County."

Tony Pennington 366-3541 schools@normantranscript.com