Those who walk away from Omelas by Usrsula K. Le Guin tells the tale of a city called Omelas. It is a utopian society but the one downfall is that the wellbeing of everyone who lives there is dependent on the suffering of one child. In the story all of the inhabitants of Omelas knew the horrible things that were done to the child but they all ignored it. I asked a few people if they would want to live in society like Omelas. Most of them said no, because of the child’s suffering. I think everyone who said no is lying. The reason I think that is many people all over the world suffer everyday so we Americans can live a more comfortable lifestyle. I think most people are aware of this fact.

Sweatshops in china are one example of people suffering for the American dream. Nike is a prime example of this. They employ underage children, withhold employee’s wages, make people work 12-14 hours a day. All so Americans can get their sneakers a little cheaper. Just look around the next time you are walking in a public area you cannot avoid the Nike logo. Most people know of the poor working conditions the Chinese have but many still turn a blind eye and continue to purchase products made in china.

Diamonds are shinny and pretty, lots of Americans want them. About 25 percent of them that make it to America come from Africa. Natives in Africa fight wars over the right to sell us diamonds. Africans will go and wipe out whole towns of people. They also enlist the help children to fight. The pretty jewels that come from war stricken areas are called Blood diamonds. I think many Americans are aware of this evil as well. A movie called The Blood Diamond came out few years ago. This movie told of the horrors going on in Africa. But still Americans will buy blood diamonds to save a few dollars.

These are just two examples of millions of people who suffer to support the American way of life. I could give many more examples, but I think two is enough. If you live in America millions of people suffer for your comfort. So any American who is happy with their way of life would love to live in Omelas. Just one child suffering is much better than the millions who suffer now.