Below is a transcript of the introductory address for the Twelfth Conference on 23rd Century America, held at the University of Yaned, Tivanun, on June 25, 2346.
Speaker: Professor Charles Otociep, Harvard University, USA.
OTOCIEP: Thank you for joining me today. As your programs indicate, the topic of this conference is "Benefits of the Theocratic Oligarchy of 23rd century America." I trust that none of you are too scandalized by the title—titles are, of course, supposed to be intriguing enough that you show up! (Laughter) Let me explain.
Recent research has focused on criticizing the violations of human rights that occurred in the past century—the unsafe working conditions for those considered untalented or immoral, the forced sterilizing of children, and the treatment of women in the infamous Compounds. Which is all well and good, and certainly necessary! (Approving murmurs) But if we are truly going to prevent such a thing from happening again, we need to appreciate why our ancestors did what they did, and—as much as it pains us to admit it—acknowledge that we still benefit from their actions.
As fellow 23rd century scholars, I am sure you are aware that America was suffering from crippling overpopulation at the turn of the century. We were running out of space, running out of food, and it took all the government's resources to keep disease from spreading in the crowded cities! We also know about the fertility "vaccinations" that people were told were reversible, but ended up sterilizing most of the population. At this point, we can all agree that sterilizing people without their consent—or threatening to deny children education and then making rebels "disappear" if they did not comply—is wrong.
However—and I must beg for you to hold judgment for a moment!—we must also acknowledge that our ancestors' strategy to solve overpopulation worked. Within one generation, 75% of the population was eliminated, either from old age or illness or "disappearances." While we may know that their methods were wrong, it is because of those methods that you and I have spacious homes, parks, and plenty of food to eat!
We are glad that the regime finally crumbled. With the wisdom of hindsight, we laugh at our dictatorial ancestors, who were so concerned about creating the best, most moral, most intelligent humans beings that they taught the new generation to read! To think critically! Enough that these young people threw off the yolk of theocracy within the century—they had been taught to be curious, and curious people cannot be contained. (Applause)
But we cannot escape the burden of guilt: our way of life is only possible now because of the suffering of over 75% of the American population. What do we do with this ethical dilemma? Well, my friends and colleagues, rather than tell you what I think, we have organized a conference for you to answer the question yourselves! So let us begin the Twelfth Conference on 23rd Century America! (Applause)
YOU ARE READING
God's Country (inspired by The Handmaid's Tale)
Short StoryAfter abortion and birth control were banned, the United States of America suffered from rampant over-population. The government tried various methods to fix the problem. They attempted a one-child policy, but this was not enough--cities were runnin...
