Utopia? -- Kathryn Dave

Hmm…what would my perfect society be?

It was a good day today. It started out warm and sunny and ended with a beautiful sunset. You could get ready for school and not have worry about your appearance. You went to school and learned something new. You don’t have to worry about bullies or even school shootings. The people in your classes are there because they worked hard. Your position in society is affected by your work ethic, not by race; sex; or religion, and your skills. No one is unhappy with their job. People are polite, courteous, and humble. They accept you for who you are. When you got home, you didn’t need to worry about finances or if your family will eat dinner tonight. You are happy. When the rest of your family comes home, you mother doesn’t have to worry about someone taking your little sibling while they play outside. You can go out with friends and not worry about bombings or shootings. People get the help they need, no matter their finances. Good, healthy food is easily available for you. Everyone is treated equally. Like stated before, race, sex, and religion do not play a role in this.

Now what would be “Hell on Earth?”

It was a bad day today, but it always is. You wake up to crying children. There are three families crammed into the three bedroom house. You pull on a dirty uniform, it isn’t your family’s turn for laundry. You brush your hair and teeth in the dark. The lights haven’t worked in months. You rush to get your two little siblings ready. The little one complains of being hungry. Unfortunately, you don’t have anything to give her. You lead the march to the bus. It is bitter cold outside. Once the bus gets to your stop, you and your siblings file on. You sit toward the back where low-income children sit. You make sure your siblings get to school safely. Later that day, you find out that the little one was yelled at for forgetting her pencil. Once you get to your school, you head for your first class. The seating chart has been posted. Girls on the left, boys on the right. Low-income children in the back, wealthy children in the front. The wealthy kids will mock you. When you get home, you remind your siblings not to go outside while you’re at work. You tell them to be careful. You don’t trust the other families. You go to work in a dingy, old building catering to the wealthy. You barely make enough for dinner. When you return from work, you get your siblings food and into bed. Then, you start working on your homework. Both your parents had to work a second shift tonight in order to keep the bedroom you call your house. You have another restless night. Your stomach hurts and you’re anxious. During the night, you heard rustling. Someone from one of the other families stole some of your belongings, which was normal. The next morning, you find out that your dictator declared that any low-income family with more than four people in the family must give up one child to the government. You don’t want your siblings to become dogs of the military, but you can’t leave them. Severe, harsh fines would be given to those who do not follow this new rule. You worry for your safety.

Which society would you like to live in?