Here in Utah, it seems like a year can’t pass without the musical Les Miserables being performed somewhere.
And it makes sense why; its story and music powerfully portray themes of compassion and struggle that should resonate with everyone.
Despite how often its refrains have echoed through our theaters, concert halls and high school auditoriums, however, it seems that its message has fallen on deaf ears.
The struggle of the play’s protagonist, Jean Valjean, reflects the modern, real-world struggles of immigrants throughout America. These people, out of hunger and desperation, have broken minor laws trying to keep their families alive. The vast majority of them, similar to Valjean, have become productive, valuable contributors to their communities in the years since their “crime.”
But our state seems to be full of Javerts who want to hunt and hound them as far and as long as possible, willfully ignoring their humanity, value and goodness.
The message at the heart of the story is that when we show compassion to those who are struggling, rather than unrelenting, unfair application of law, we enable both them and ourselves to become more and become better than we otherwise would on our own.
Audiences have no problem understanding that Jean Valjean did not deserve to have his life ruined over bread stolen 19 years prior, and that forgiveness and compassion allowed him to make something of his life. Why can’t we understand the same applies to people and families whose only crime is crossing a border in search of a stable life? Where is our bishop-like mercy towards our generation’s “miserable ones”?
Based on Utah’s support of Trump and his mass deportations, it seems many of us act more like Javert than Bishop Myriel when we see others suffering.
Utahns have killed the dream they dreamed.
Jared Bingham, Salt Lake City
