If you clicked on this link, you might be one of my friends, astonished that I would share (or even write) something an article with this title. You might be a complete stranger that really wants to read the ramblings of someone that is out of tune to the world and ignorant of all the issues plaguing society. You might already be on to where I am going with this and know exactly where I am going with this. Wherever you are, hear (read?) me out first.
Humans are not created equal, despite what Thomas Jefferson wrote nearly 240 years ago. Some are born into poverty; some with disabilities; and some are born perfectly fine, in a family that can and will always provide for them. So, if we are not all born equal, why are we fighting for equal rights under the law?
What we should be fighting for are equitable rights under the law.
For those of you that don't know, Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines 'Equitable' as "having or exhibiting equity: dealing fairly and equally with all concerned." Equity is perhaps best explained in the following picture:
This past week, I had the privilege of getting to see Jane Elliot in person and got the chance to listen to her speak. If you aren't sure who Jane Elliot is, you may have actually seen one of her experiments, the Blue Eye/Brown Eyes exercise. Some topics that Elliot touched on in the hour she was speaking was the difference between equality and equity, and treating others how they want to be treated. With the difference between equity and equality having already been covered, let's address treating others how they want to be treated in an example that Elliott gave during her speech. Say that you are 5 feet tall and you are on a plane next to someone that is 6 feet tall. You can't reach the overhead compartment because of your height, you person next to you can easily reach it. If you really treated your neighbor how you want to be treated, you would offer to help them put their bag in the compartment. If they are really treating you how they wish to be treat, they wouldn't help you at all because they can reach the compartment easily.
Equality can sometimes be a confusing topic, and whereas, in an ideal world, everyone would be born equally, that is not a reality in modern society. We don't throw a few cents in the coffee cups of well-to-do business people, and we don't tell children that it is their turn to pick us up from work. In terms of how we should treat those around us, we should strive to recognize the recognize differences in other and consider how that effects their everyday live. By doing this, we can more show and give support in a more efficient way.
So yes, I do believe that we should not be treating everyone equally. However, everyone deserves equitable treatment in everyday life and under the law.
