Merriam Webster defines equality as the quality or state of having the same rights, social status, etc., but who is included in this “equality,” and can the U.S. really have equality among its people? Johnathon Dunn defines equality as not being the same, but being treated equally no matter your race, social status, or sexuality. Everyone should have the same rights available to him or her. Several works of literature have struggled to define equality over the years including “Harrison Bergeron” and the 14th amendment. These two pieces of literature have their similarities as well as their differences, but, by assessing these, I will be able to side with one of these viewpoints. It is “Harrison Bergeron” versus the 14th amendment in this judicial
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These works both define equality in the same way. Every citizen should have the same rights regardless of race, sexuality, and talents. “Harrison Bergeron” uses government implemented “handicaps” to accomplish this goal while the 14th amendment simply uses the law to provide the same rights for every citizen. The government becomes the driving force behind both of these literary works in regards to enforcing the equality. While they have the right idea that all citizens should be equal, they both have flaws in their foundation. “Harrison Bergeron” is essentially taking away the rights of the people to provide equality. By giving the more talented people handicaps, they are essentially putting everyone at the same level of intelligence, strength, and beauty, but is that truly equality? The 14th amendment has smaller flaws, but relies on the views of the majority. The majority, however, does change; for example, gay marriage just became a possibility as the majority shifted from anti-gay rights to pro-gay rights. These literary works have share several similarities, but also have their …show more content…
The 14th amendment wins this case with ease. “Harrison Bergeron” simply misses the point when defining equality. Equality is not about everyone being the same, but about people being able to express individuality while being treated equally and having the same opportunities regardless of who you are. “Harrison Bergeron” also goes about enforcing equality in the wrong way. Forcing citizens to wear “handicaps” defeats the purpose of being equal. Harming the citizens is not the right way to make them
These works both define equality in the same way. Every citizen should have the same rights regardless of race, sexuality, and talents. “Harrison Bergeron” uses government implemented “handicaps” to accomplish this goal while the 14th amendment simply uses the law to provide the same rights for every citizen. The government becomes the driving force behind both of these literary works in regards to enforcing the equality. While they have the right idea that all citizens should be equal, they both have flaws in their foundation. “Harrison Bergeron” is essentially taking away the rights of the people to provide equality. By giving the more talented people handicaps, they are essentially putting everyone at the same level of intelligence, strength, and beauty, but is that truly equality? The 14th amendment has smaller flaws, but relies on the views of the majority. The majority, however, does change; for example, gay marriage just became a possibility as the majority shifted from anti-gay rights to pro-gay rights. These literary works have share several similarities, but also have their …show more content…
The 14th amendment wins this case with ease. “Harrison Bergeron” simply misses the point when defining equality. Equality is not about everyone being the same, but about people being able to express individuality while being treated equally and having the same opportunities regardless of who you are. “Harrison Bergeron” also goes about enforcing equality in the wrong way. Forcing citizens to wear “handicaps” defeats the purpose of being equal. Harming the citizens is not the right way to make them