Equality and Equity

Equality exists when everyone receives the same treatment and has the same opportunities.

Equity exists when individuals are treated fairly.

These are not the same.  As a country we seem to spend much energy arguing about equality and fairness, yet I think that some of those arguments result simply from a misunderstanding of the terms.  Perhaps it is time to clearly focus on what our disagreements are.

This country and its laws strive to provide equality – to treat all Americans the same and to provide equal opportunities to all, regardless of factors such as race, gender, etc.  No, we are not there yet, but we have that aspiration and strive towards its perfection.  No doubt there are some fringe elements who do not favor equality, but as a whole this country is fully behind it, if not fully achieving of it yet.  (And, such achievement will likely never be perfectly reached; the key is, that we continue to ever move forward as we indeed do).

Equity is another thing entirely.  While I think most everyone would agree that all individuals should be treated fairly, the problem arises in answering what makes treatment fair in any particular instance.  This is where our disagreements truly lie and where we should focus our dialogs.  For example, should everyone receive the same pay regardless of effort or of the job they do?  Some would answer yes, some would argue no.  The answer is based on certain underlying premises and value systems, and it is those underlying concepts that are the basis of conflicts about results.

Hence, if we are to come together as a nation we must explore those underlying values and determine if we can find areas in which they are compatible or on which we can agree. Which are we willing to eliminate and which do we hold dear or will fight to the death to preserve.  In the above example it is easy to simply label one view socialist and one view capitalist and walk away from any further discussion.  While such labels might aptly apply, to label and do nothing more is not productive, nor does it resolve the divisiveness that is currently pervasive in this country.  All it does is encourage people to take sides, often based on things they don’t really understand.

This is where education is important.  Concepts of fairness are always going to be based on values and mores of the culture in which the question of fairness exists.  Public flogging or even death might be considered a fair punishment for adultery in some cultures while not so in America or others.  Countries are founded based on certain shared values of the founders.  Those values will to some extent determine such things as the form of government, the laws, and the justice system of the country.  When those basic shared values are no longer shared by a majority of the citizens, then it is likely that country will face upheaval and change, possibly to the point of no longer existing or becoming totally unrecognizable as the country it once was.  Such change can be well thought out and planned, or it can be based on a complete misunderstanding or ignorance of what exists and the likely effect of substantive changes in the underlying values and structures of a nation. 

America seems to be going through this sort of change, but without any understanding of the what or why of what is going on.  First, there is little understanding of the history of this country or its founding or of its Constitution.  From my reading as well as personal interactions with others it appears that few people really understand our democracy, how it works, or its underlying principles.  Second, those who favor a move to bigger government and smaller individual rights seem to lack an understanding of the long-term consequences of such a move; they seem fully uneducated about the histories of countries that have already followed such a path.  Similarly, those who argue for open borders seem to have spent little time thinking about the actual consequences of such action.  Third, there is a lack of knowledge about the various religious texts that are often used to support one position or another as well as to attack an opposing position.  Using one’s religion to shame or attack them without any depth of understanding about that religion is divisive, not productive.  Fourth, combined with lack of education and understanding in key areas, people or constantly bombarded with propaganda – what we now call fake news – that presents selective and incomplete if not fully distorted stories about key topics.  Finally, in addition to the drought of information and understanding is a superficiality and selfishness in the approach of many to their lives.

I, for one, believe that we should not change the underlying principles of America – the principles of self-reliance and independence, of small government, of free speech, and the basic guiding principles of our republic and its government that are set forth in our Constitution.  I also believe that a meritocracy breeds success and allows and encourages individuals to each reach their highest potential.  I encourage equal treatment and opportunity, but also believe that rewarding individual hard work is fair, even though it may leave individuals in differing (unequal) positions.  I believe that it is those things, those underlying values, that make this country the greatest country in the world, as well as the fairest and most equitable.  But, I also realize there are those who would prefer to abandon those principles and values.  They see equity differently.  I just hope that they take the time to educate themselves and realize what they are truly arguing for, because if we abandon those basic principles we will have a very different country that views each individual in a very different way.