Why I Stay

In “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas”, a short story that we discussed in class, the author Ursula K. Le Guin introduces the idea that happiness always comes with a price.  Through the description of a seemingly utopian society whose happiness is upheld by the immense suffering of one child, Le Guin urges readers to become fully aware that all of the privileges in our own lives often come at a cost.  It may be easy for us to dismiss Omelas as irrelevant and different from the society we live in, but Le Guin’s lenience and flexibility in describing Omelas prevents us from so easily relieving ourselves of any responsibility.  Whether we want to or not, whether we choose to consider it or not, the more privileged of us stand on the backs of the less privileged in so many aspects of our lives.  Given this knowledge, is it wrong to participate in such a society?  Is it better from a moral standpoint to simply walk away?  These are the questions that Le Guin poses in her short story, and these are the questions we must each answer for ourselves.

Many people all over the world are a form of vegetarian or vegan, refusing to eat animals or food produced from animals, largely due to concern over animal rights or the idea that animals have spirits and can feel pain.  In fact, many of my friends think that by not eating meat, they are taking a stand against the immoral treatment of animals.  Personally, though I highly respect this viewpoint and other people’s beliefs, I tend to take a more cynical perspective – if I choose to become vegetarian, sacrificing the meat which I so enjoy, will that really stop animal abuse?  No – animals will still be mistreated all over the world, and they will still be brutally slaughtered for the consumption of the millions of people out there who are still omnivores.  Though I certainly recognize that animal abuse is a real and egregious issue, my own decision to walk away from eating meat will not fix anything.  Also, bacon just tastes so darn good… Sorry Wilbur.

Though this kind of justification often prevents me from walking away, there are times that I just can’t stand to participate in society’s problems.  For instance, some of my friends like to gossip, and they often ask me what they think of other people.  Oftentimes, people tell me something they don’t like about another person, and expect me to agree and complain with them.  I used to just kind of go along with people, saying “Yeah, I guess I don’t like them either,” even if that’s not true.  Lately, I’ve tried to walk away from that.  Instead I often respond, “Oh, I don’t know them very well.”  This answer doesn’t change my friend’s opinion of the other person, nor does it improve the life of that person.  Even though I don’t valiantly defend them, my refusal to simply agree to avoid a conflict is a form of walking away. 

Ultimately, though my refusal to participate may soothe my conscious, it will not actually solve any problems.  Walking away is a way of refusing to accept responsibility, and is in that way worse than participating.  I plan to fully participate in society and remain aware of its issues.  In my opinion, learning to live in society, no matter how opposed you are to it, is one of the most important skills we must learn.  As humans, society is not optional; we cannot simply opt out, and those who do aren't helping themselves, or anybody else.  Hopefully, by refusing to be ignorant and by refusing to walk away, I can help change society for the better, and combat the idea that happiness comes at a cost.