Democracy is the foundation of U.S. society. Democratic principles permeate all institutions, and the belief that individuals have the right to representation and a voice in decisions that affect their daily lives is supported by the highest laws of the land. The implementation of this agenda has created ethical problems for program planners and program participants. Although democracy calls for each voice to be heard, the voices represented around the planning table are generally those of individuals whose position and privilege have given them power to make decisions for others. These mixed messages have created a tension between program planners and teachers whose mission is to reproduce the status quo and the diverse groups who see a need for social change. The historical struggle of African American people to become full and equal participants in this society is one of "separate but equal" and the erroneous assumption that integration would make all things equal. In instances where African Americans had ownership--a place at the planning table--black people were being empowered. African Americans need to be at the planning table, because the agenda should be uplift, not assimilation. Citizens in a democracy must be guaranteed that the voices of those whose race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic class position them at the margins of the society will be heard. (YLB)