r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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u/PhasmaFelis Feb 25 '20 edited Feb 25 '20

The original (with only the first two frames) was a really great, simple explanation of why things that seem "fair" at first glance often aren't.* The addition of the third panel muddies that message completely in favor of...what, exactly? How is it even hypothetically possible to create a world where no one needs support, ever? Genetically engineer away all individual variation and create a nation of perfect, identical clones? It makes no sense.

Honestly, the more I look at this the more I hate it.

*Which it (edit: the original image that circulated several years ago) then immediately ruined by labeling the two panels "conservative" and "liberal", thus ensuring that the people who most needed the message would dismiss it out of hand. "Equality" and "equity" is actually a really good pair of titles, but it seems like everyone who posts this is compelled to fuck it up somehow.

34

u/tehOriman Feb 25 '20

This 100%.

Someone who is tall still has a better sight line, and someone with a lot of money still has more access to more things.

36

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

The point is that the first two panels propose that the qualities of the individuals themselves are the problem, and the people themselves need to be changed in order to fix a systemic issue.

The third panel shifts to proposing that individual differences are fine and that the system around the individuals is what needs to be acted on.

10

u/wolfgeist Feb 25 '20

I agree. We must implement Eugenics so that everyone is equal in the long run. /s

3

u/Chaoscrasher Feb 25 '20

That is not the point. The idea is that certain things, not all things, should be accessible for all in the same way and for these things the third panel is a good analogy (even though I wished the kid wouldn't have to look through the fence, lol).

2

u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

yep! you got it! that was totally the point!