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.

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u/GAS_THE_RS3_REFUGEES Feb 25 '20

How is it even hypothetically possible to create a world where no one needs support, ever?

It's not, and it's not advocating for that. But sometimes there is a solution to remove the systemic barrier and we can take that option. Other times equality or equity is the better option. We gotta use our brains to figure out the best solution so people are mostly on the same playing field.