The Rose of Versailles is a classic shojo manga written by Riyoko Ikeda, which I first encountered as the anime adaptation, Lady Oscar, on French TV during my childhood. As a boy, enjoying a show targeted toward girls meant keeping it somewhat secret. The weight of peer and societal pressure was astonishing, even as a kid. Although unaware of the complex codes and rules at play, I quickly grasped that I had to fit into the standards imposed by caregivers, siblings, friends, and society’s subtle signs. The judgments we face from an early age are swift and defining.
The Story Behind Lady Oscar
The anime version, Lady Oscar, is set against the backdrop of pre-revolutionary France, following Oscar, a young woman raised as a boy to serve as an officer in the Royal Guard at Versailles. Alongside her is André Grandier, her childhood friend, attendant, and later lover, a commoner and the grandson of her nanny. The story explores Oscar’s awakening to the injustices of France’s governance and the suffering of the poor, culminating in the Storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution.
As a child, I found it fascinating to “learn” historical facts through anime. I was unfamiliar with the details of the French Revolution but had some awareness of Versailles. Watching Lady Oscar sparked questions: What did the French Revolution truly change? The monarchy had been dismantled, but in my mind, the gap between the rich and poor seemed to persist both then and now.
A Reflection on Inequality
For much of my life, I accepted inequality as the sad reality of our world, believing that society would always be divided into rich and poor. However, my recent reflections challenge this assumption. Change, while not easy, is possible—but only through collective effort.
The book Where Good Ideas Come From reminds us that ideas often sprout from seeds planted in our minds. These seeds grow unexpectedly when the right conditions align. With billions of brains on this planet, imagine the potential if we collectively planted the seeds of an equal society. Together, those ideas could bloom faster, stronger, and on a global scale.
Building a New Equal Society
Today, we have unprecedented tools to communicate and collaborate globally. We can brainstorm ideas essential for creating a more equal and harmonious world. Here’s what I believe must change:
- Think as global citizens. Before identifying with a country, we must consider ourselves human beings first. This shift in mindset helps us work toward global harmony and equality.
- Provide basic needs for all. Food production exceeds what’s necessary to feed everyone, yet millions starve. Housing remains a challenge, but if we can provide prisoners with shelter, surely solutions exist to house those in need.
- Prioritize brain health and self-awareness. A healthy brain fosters self-awareness, helping individuals see beyond societal pressures and envision alternative futures.
When these foundational needs are met, equal education will naturally follow. Education should be completely free—not a commodity exploited for profit by influencers selling rehashed content.
Toward a World Revolution
If The Rose of Versailles told the story of a revolution before the French Revolution, perhaps One Daily Tale can contribute to a World Revolution—one that fosters a society focused on what truly matters: unity, equality, and thriving as a connected, compassionate species.
What do you think about the idea of building a truly equal global society? Can we make this vision a reality? Share your thoughts below!
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