Wow. Just wow.
That's pretty much all I could think the entire time I read the short story Harrison Bergeron. It started out saying, "The year was 2081, and everybody was finally equal." My initial reaction to this was, "Good! Thank goodness we are going to get there someday!" Then I read the third sentence, "They were equal in every which way," and went, "Uh-oh. Maybe this isn't going where I thought it was." When I envisioned equality I envisioned equality of opportunity, not where everyone is capable of the exact same things. I was appalled when I read about all of the handicaps that were put on people to ensure equality. I could not believe that in order to achieve equality society had made everyone mentally impaired. Then they went and called those who think normally according to our standards mentally handicapped. The idea that people could not remember events that just occurred, events that should have had a huge impact on their lives really bothered me too. I was proud of Harrison for breaking free and thinking for himself. It seemed to me, in the scene in the broadcasting station, that everyone subconsciously really wanted to be freed of their handicaps, they just weren't allowed to think enough to consciously realize it. It really frustrated me that he was shot and that no one would remember it.
I really hope that someday everyone will be equal. Not equal as in we are all the same, however. I feel that everyone should have the same opportunities available. It is up to that individual to choose how they utilize these opportunities. Differences are such an important part of what makes us, us. I love all of the different cultures and languages and colors and ways of thought that are present in this world. I love that about Wartburg. My high school was very white. Sure, there were some other cultures and colors, but it was primarily made up of middle class white students. I love being able to talk to people who are from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. I believe that it is such an important thing to do. It is important to respect and appreciate the differences in people because that is what makes life interesting. Often the different ideas can inspire new thoughts in people.
Diversity is such a good thing and I desperately hope that our world never reaches the low that was portrayed in the story Harrison Bergeron.
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