Equal Opportunity activism is a force for good.

But … paying lip service to it, or simply not understanding the core principles can be as damaging as it can be restorative.

No two people are the same, that’s why we have a need for the action.

So if that is the case? Why is the solution often a blanket, vanilla, one size fits all answer?

The image in this post attempts to simplify the answer:

Reality

• Often the starting position where advantage is unfairly given and poorly thought out meaning that inequity is inevitable.
• In the image the tallest person also has the greatest assistance given and vice versa.

Equality

• The usual ‘fix’ where the same solution is deployed for all meaning that the box is ticked .. but those in need to not get what ‘they’ need to be on a level playing field.
• In the image all get given the same assistance however the nature of the person involved means that a level playing field is still not achieved.

Equity

• When individual needs are addressed to bring the level playing field to reality. Those who ‘get it’ adopt this approach.
• In the image the assistance given is variable to genuinely provide equity to all.

Justice

• Rather than assisting people to clear the hurdle, the actual hurdle is removed for all parties meaning that people can bring their full selves to the party without the need for assistance.
• In the image the fence is removed and all can participate equally.

It is of course the case that justice must sometimes give way to equity however the goal should be to remove the barriers as the first thought rather than ‘firming’ up an already poor system.

The best things in life are worth working for and it’s never too late to start.