According to Aristotle, “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” That sentiment is an apt way to describe the short story "Harrison Bergeron," which we discussed today in English class.
As much as I believe in treating people equally, people aren't equal. I hope they never are. What I mean by that is that we all have unique talents, perspectives, and beliefs. I would hate to live in a world like the one portrayed in "Harrison Bergeron" in which people are forced into positions of complete equality. Graceful dancers, intellectual geniuses, beautiful people -- anyone whose natural ability might make them better than another -- were forced to be ordinary, average, the same.
If Monet was equal to the rest of us in artistic talent, how much less beautiful the world would be! If Michael Phelps or Michael Jordan were equal to the rest of us athletically, how much less exciting athletic events would be. Our world is amazing because of our uniqueness, not in spite of it. So, while ALL people should be treated as the worthwhile, valuable people they are, we should not be equal. We never have been, and I hope we never are.
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