Kairos Zack Romero, a hardworking law student, and Cassieca Amara Vargas, a dedicated nursing student, both with different backgrounds but unexpectedly meet. As they deal with the challenges of their demanding studies and professions, they find rest...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Kairos
It's another class on Constitutional Law, and while everyone else is furiously taking notes, I'm just sitting there, absorbing everything without lifting a finger. It's not that I'm not paying attention. I've heard most of this before from my dad's endless lectures or from my own late-night readings. Sometimes, I wonder why I even bother attending these classes when I already know most of the material.
"What are the limits of state power in relation to individual rights?" The professor threw a question.
Most of the class is silent, staring at their notes, waiting for someone to speak up. I don't bother raising my hand. I just speak out.
"The state's power should always be limited by the rights of the individual, yes, but not in the way most people think." I stated. I can feel the eyes of the class on me. "The problem with that argument is that it ignores the grey areas. Sometimes, the state needs to act in ways that limit individual freedoms for the greater good. But the real question is, who decides what the greater good is?"
The professor raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not backing down. "So, you're saying that there should be exceptions? That the government can sometimes override individual rights for the public's benefit?"
I nodded, meeting his gaze. "Yes, but it's not that simple. The state can't just override rights based on convenience or an abstract 'greater good.' There needs to be a system of checks and balances to ensure that those in power aren't exploiting that authority. It's not about absolute freedom or absolute control. It's about finding that middle ground. And the way the system is set up now? It's not always about the rules, it's about who has the power to enforce them."
The class shifted uncomfortably. I don't care. I've heard these arguments a hundred times from my dad, and I know this subject inside and out.
The professor leaned forward, obviously trying to get the last word. "But what about judicial review? What role does that play in this balance?"
"Judicial review is meant to be a safeguard," I replied. "But let's be real. Sometimes the courts are just as biased as the rest of the system. They make decisions based on precedents, yes, but they're still influenced by the people in power, by public opinion, and by what's convenient for the state. Judicial review can't fix everything if the system itself is broken."
There's a brief silence before the professor lets out a small, almost impressed sigh.
"Interesting point, Mr. Romero. But do you believe that every decision the government makes is based on power plays? Don't you think there's a legitimate concern for the public's safety in some of these situations?"
"Public safety?" I scoffed, a bit of frustration creeping into my voice. "Of course, safety matters. But you can't sacrifice rights and freedoms in the name of 'safety' if it's just a thinly veiled excuse to keep control. The law should be about justice. It should protect the people, not just the ones who hold the power."
