I’ve been called. The fourth time in my life, and again, it’s interesting.

My first two times, my assigned group was never required to report. That’s good duty if you can get it; one phone call a day and then you’re free and get paid for it. The third time I was impaneled for a murder trial from which I was excused. I was the first to go. The defense didn’t like me.

This is my first time in Baldwin County and it is different. The people are different. I am sitting in the jury lounge waiting to be called as I write this. There are about one hundred people here, all different. They’re common folk, all special in their own way while all being the same. All are striving to make life better and safer for theirs, and ours. They work, or have worked, and are contributing to our society as they can. There are plumbers, machine operators, sales persons, homemakers, professors, lawyers, retired, just starting; you name it, we’re here. This is a slice of Americana that needs looking at.

Half of the people here have a book, magazine, or newspaper. I surmise from this that we have a literate populace. All are registered to vote or they wouldn’t be here, which translates to me that they care. If statistics are correct, forty percent did not vote in the last Presidential election. Somehow, with this group, I don’t believe that. Maybe I’m naïve, but as I talk to my fellow potential jurors, they are friendly, well informed, intelligent, and participate in their government. They may not be activists; most have not, or will not attend a Tea Party, but they do care.

The group is ninety percent white. This bothers me, but should it? I wonder. Maybe it’s not an issue. I’d like to think it isn’t.

The more I look around and ponder my fellow jurors, my fellow citizens of Baldwin County; I’m convinced it doesn’t matter. These are good people; good citizens or they wouldn’t be here. These people understand the concept of “innocent until proven guilty”, and “beyond a reasonable doubt”. They can look at the man or woman sitting in the defendant’s chair and know that they are just that, a defendant; innocent of all charges until proven otherwise. They know the awesome responsibility that rests on them. They, we, hold rights to liberty and property in our hands. What power we hold. I’m certain my fellow jurors never consider color, gender, age, religion, or any other definer because someday, they or someone they love might be sitting in the defendant’s chair and they would expect the same judgment from others of Baldwin County.

Our jury system may not be perfect, but it is the best in the world, and as I look around, I know why. As in all of America, it’s the people; the people giving of their time and resources, willing to make a difference. Yeah, that’s what’s different, and the same; we the people.

David Wilson Atwood is a local freelance writer whose human interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted at: HYPERLINK "mailto:david@starchasers.us" david@starchasers.us.