Modern America resembles the fictional town of Omelas from The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula LeGuin because there are so many luxuries that Americans are not willing to give regardless of a “suffering child” or a dying earth. This makes America similar to Omelas because the people of Omelas were not willing to give up the constant happiness of their town to help a suffering and dying child. Metaphorically, the low-paid workers who make our clothes and electronics are one of the many suffering children that Americans know about but completely ignore. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay In foreign countries and even here in modern America, there are people, including young children, who work in sweatshops for less than minimum wage to provide us with electronic clothing and more. This fact is no secret and most Americans know what goes on in sweatshops so they can get what they want. What stops them from doing anything to help these workers by trying to give them higher wages and better working conditions is that they know they won't be able to get the things they want at the price they offer them. Americans are not willing to give up the things they must provide to mistreated workers because it is so easy for people to set aside things that don't affect their lives much. The people of Omelas knew about the child who was suffering but they ignored him because they managed to put him to the back of their minds so that the child would not have an effect on their happiness. There is almost no difference between Americans and the people of Omelas. Those who left Omelas were those who could not continue knowing that their happiness rested on the suffering of an innocent child. Although not many, some Americans are “ditching” electronics and clothing made in foreign countries. These people aren't pretending that there aren't suffering workers in the sweatshops making the things Americans want. People who are leaving are doing many things, such as petitions and strikes, to stop the sale of products made by sweatshop workers and to win high wages for workers. These people are not satisfied with happiness sustained by suffering and decide to leave, just like those who left Omelas. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, Americans are not willing to give up their materialistic happiness for people who are suffering, which is similar to the people of Omelas who are not ready to give up their happiness for a person who is suffering. There are a few people who fight for mistreated workers and only buy products where they know the employees are treated fairly. These Americans are like those who left Omelas because they would not allow a child to suffer to always be happy.ReferencesBennett, B. (2005). Through ecofeminist eyes: Le Guin’s “Those Who Walk Away from Omelas.” English Journal, 63-68. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/30046506)Hill, L. (2001). A preview of “Those Who Walk Away from Omelas.” Short stories for students.)