"Harrison Bergeron". Maybe "equality" isn't so equal.

The ideas of equality and freedom in "Harrison Bergeron" are simply that, ideas, and not very good ones either. Sure, they had good intentions, but Hitler believed he was doing "the right thing" too. In a world where everyone is "equal", we would all have to be at the lowest level of everything so as not to be better than someone else at something. Those with above-average abilities, that could help everyone by supplying new ideas and talents, would have to suppress their gifts. They would actually have it worse off than the average people, just as the best ballerina in the story had to carry around more weights and wear an extra hideous mask. (Which was ironic, considering you could tell she was "special" because of the amount of weights and the ugliness of the mask she was wearing. I guess no one would even be able process a thought long enough to retain that for more than 20 seconds though.) And was everyone really "equal" in that society anyway? What about the government officials and the people who had to enforce those preposterous laws? Surely they were allowed to keep their own minds? No one was even free! The government controlled when they thought and practically what they thought! Their ideas of freedom and equality don't represent actual freedom and equality very well. 

I would definitely not like to live in this kind of society. I would hate it in fact. Yes, everyone is technically "equal", but no one can even think! They have no mind of their own! Being different is what makes us special, unique. I, for one, enjoy the freedom that I have now. Some people are good dancers, others great public speakers, some excellent musicians. We all have our own talents and the world would be pretty boring without them. Where would all the good books and movies come from if no one were allowed to write well? Someone will always be better than you at something and you will always be better than someone else at something. We need a balance to life.  Plus, packing large weights around and hearing extremely annoying noises right in your head every 20 seconds is not my cup of tea.

"The Pedestrian" Epilogue

The drive on through the crisp November night was deathly silent. The car ignored all of my inquiries. We arrived shortly at a very large, white, modern building surrounded by scarce trees and bushes, of course no amount of space outdoors for walking. Not that they would allow me to do such "frivolous" activities anyway. The boldly-printed sign read, THE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON REGRESSIVE TENDENCIES. The car stopped abruptly and my door was automatically opened. 

"Please exit the car Mr. Mead," stated the police car. I did as I was told. Just then, a stout woman dressed all in white appeared through the building's door and speedily walked toward me. "We've been expecting you, Mr. Mead. Please follow me," the woman said in a deep Germanic accent, practically grunted. When the car had contacted the psychiatric center I did not know. 

As I follwed the nurse toward the lifeless morgue of a building, the police car drove down the drive and back onto the street. The nurse opened the door for me and we entered the building. The hallway was coated in white and the flourescent lights only added to the "hospital effect". It was completely empty. No noise seemed to be present anywhere in the building. "I vill show you to your room now, Mr. Mead," the nurse spoke.

Doors upon doors lined the long hallway. Some were open. I quickly took a peek in a few of the doors and I was not excited about my future living quarters. The walls were covered with T.V.s. There was one plain bed and a matching plain chair in each room. We came to a door just like the others and stopped.

"Dis is your room, Mr. Mead," the woman said. "Rules. First, you are not to leave dis room under any circumstances unless accompanied by a doctor, nurse, or orderly. Second, no outside belongings or contact is allowed. Third, if you break these rules you will be severely punished according to our standards. Meal times are at 8 a.m., 12 noon, and 5 in the evening. You are late, you get no food. At 2 p.m. an orderly vill come and supervise you vhile you get a half hour of free-time. Also, staff members can and vill take you out of your room periodically for study. Fortunately for you, we have provided many channels on your television. Enjoy your time with us, Mr. Mead." She paused. "Any questions?"

I was shocked. I thought for a moment and the replied, "Yes ma'am, I would like to know how long I will be staying here?" I did not hide the anger in my voice. 

"Good night, Mr. Mead," the woman said as she closed the door. She locked the door behind her and I could hear her footsteps echo down the hallway. Perhaps another innocent man had arrived and was being placed in this dreadful institution. I sat on the bed and despairingly laid down. I'm not crazy, I kept repeating to myself. Eventually, I drifted off into a restless slumber, that mantra repeating in my head.