‘A Fighter’

Mariam at Accident Prone has a follow-up to yesterday’s post:

I wanted to contrast what I wrote yesterday – a bit of a rant – with what I love about being a public defender:

• Every day is a new day – there is no drudgery. I meet new people and love getting to know my clients and their stories.
• I love being able to start my sentences with, “Under the Constitution…” Because it is the single most important document ever written in this country and it is what makes our system of justice so amazing. And I get to wrap myself up in that document every day.
• I am the only person in the courtroom willing to say, “NO!” on behalf of my client. I am his/her only voice and I love that I am allowed that honor. Sometimes, we are the only speedbump in a steamroller system. Although I am small, I try and make myself the biggest speedbump I can.
• This job has made me stronger and more willing to speak out. And that has trickled (positively) throughout my whole life. Although there are downsides to being a female PD in the system, being a woman out there who is a PD is empowering. I don’t take no crap from nobody.
• I am proud to represent people who no one thinks deserve it. I am reminded of the caste system in India and how the lowest level of citizen is fondly referred to as an “untouchable”. The poor people in this country are our untouchables – and I get to touch them every day. And their humanity and their struggle makes me more human.
• I don’t answer to a monetary bottom line. I can investigate and research as much as I want into any case without having to worry about my paycheck. I get to do “what’s right” without asking “how much?”

And there are so many more reasons that I won’t list here. The moral of the story? This job is rewarding. And it is interesting and fun. But, like anything, there are parts that weigh you down. But, if you keep in mind that not only do you better the lives of your clients but also strengthen the Constitutional rights for all Americans, you can go on. Because, really, who else is going to do it?