In a short story written in 1974, Ursula LeGuin wrote about a Utopian society located in a nation called Omelas titled The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas. Everything there is simply perfect. No kings, no poverty, no misery. There being no poverty, there is no need for money, for crime, it is the ideal society. Life there consists of a daily, never ending carnival celebrating the summer solstice.
Life in Omelas is perfect. In fact, there is only one flaw: In order for Omelas to remain in this condition, one child must be kept in darkness, misery, and utter despair. This fact is kept from everyone in Omelas until they reach a certain age of maturity, when they are shown this child and told the secret.
Once they are old enough to know the truth, most are initially shocked and disgusted. The person is then offered a choice:
- they can accept things the way that they are and continue their comfortable life
- they can offer to take the child’s place
- they can rescue the child, thus destroying the perfect society
- or they can leave the society and take their chances elsewhere
Most elect to stay and perpetuate the perfect society. The ones who elect to leave are never seen or heard from again. Of the ones who leave, no one knows what happens to the ones who walk away from Omelas.
This powerful story contains many parallels with today. We are watching our children being groomed for sexual predation. We are watching our wealth being stolen, wars fought with our young people and wealth. All manner of atrocities are being carried out. We are faced with a choice:
- we can allow this to continue to perpetuate our comfortable life
- we can offer to suffer pain and misery ourselves with the hope that we can change things by risking our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor
- or we can leave, but where will we go?
Indeed, no one knows what will happen if we walk away from Omelas.