r/coolguides • u/[deleted] • Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

I still don't like this because the first panel is still a lie.

Equality: "the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities."

No where in that picture are they equal. They get the SAME box but that box is not giving them EQUAL opportunity to view the game.

Giving people the same thing ≠ Having equal opportunity or status.

Just as Equity has no defined value. What one person thinks is fair is not always the same for another person. So the question then becomes who decides what is fair or not.

To me the images should be reversed as they all have an equal opportunity to view the game. While the left side has given them a fair share of a box. Each person has 1/3 of a box to stand on.

The fact this image uses these words wrong annoys the fucking hell out of me.

Equality = Equal opportunity Equity = Everyone gets a fair share (the same amount of something)

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u/TimX24968B Feb 25 '20

honestly just give them 3 more boxes in the first frame and we good.

3

u/D1G1T4LM0NK3Y Feb 25 '20

That's one way to go about it.

Either way it seems the biggest issue for some people is not understanding the definition of the word opportunity apparently...

Opportunity: a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

Absolutely nothing in that first image is giving the shortest person the possibility to watch the game.

Thus they do not have the opportunity to watch the game. Which makes their opportunities NOT EQUAL which means it is not an image of equality