Equality and Equity

You might know . . .

Affirmative action was implemented to ensure equal access for everyone.

But maybe you’ve never thought about . . .

Affirmative action mostly benefits white women. Equality does not equal equity. We like to think about equality, which assumes we all start from the same place and with the same chance for success. Equity, in contrast, recognizes that race, ethnicity, educational background, and socioeconomic status all play a role in a person’s ability to achieve success; we don’t all start from the same place. Equity is a commitment to removing barriers and creating equal access to opportunities.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

The Department of Labor estimated that 6 million white women workers are in higher occupational classifications today than they would have been without affirmative action policies.

Source: Racism Review

 

The unemployment rate for white women is 7.2%, compared with 13.3% for Black women and 11.4% for Latina women.

Source: Center for American Progress

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, 17 states have implemented various voter suppression laws, including required voter IDs, dual registration systems, and early-voting cutbacks. These laws disproportionately affect people of color and persons living with disabilities.

Source: American Civil Liberties Union

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Look around your workplace. Who is represented? If you are making hiring decisions, take a look at your hiring criteria and whether they create a barrier, especially for people of color. If you don’t make hiring decisions, encourage your employers to evaluate their criteria.
• Look around your community. Are people of color present in your church, on your sports team, in your kids’ school? If not, ask why. Consider the benefits of surrounding yourself with a more diverse group of people.
• Contact your representatives to advocate for voting rights protections, particularly if voter ID laws or other voting restriction laws are proposed. See page 145 for a helpful guide on contacting your representatives.

REFLECTION & JOURNAL SPACE

• A commitment to equity, rather than equality, might mean giving up your own resources or opportunities to make space for others. Does this feel fair to you? If not, ask yourself why.
• Who do you see represented in your workplace and community? What is the value of surrounding yourself with people who are unlike you?
• Which of your successes are you most proud of? Make a list of the support systems and advantages that helped you achieve that success.