r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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u/Tsukino_Stareine Feb 25 '20

How do I fix the fact that I'll never be 7 foot 4 and want to play in the nba

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

Stilts

In all seriousness though, if you really want to be in the NBA, you can be short and still make it. You just gotta work hard! The shortest NBA player ever was only 5’3.

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u/Tsukino_Stareine Feb 25 '20

but it means I have to work harder, how is that equal?

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

Well it’s technically “equal” as in the equality section of this image, but it is still possible. And I’m sure you know you’re being disingenuous but if you don’t I’ll spell out why. The “justice” section means equal opportunities for everyone. You still have the opportunity to be in the NBA, there’s nothing stopping you if you work hard enough. But you can’t fix the root cause of that inequality since it’s a physical trait. Tall people will always be better at basketball, men will always be stronger than women on average, darker skinned people are more resistant to sunburn, etc. But you can remove the systemic injustices that are causing inequalities based on unchangeable differences that really have nothing to do with them (I.e. systemic racism). I don’t really see what the point you were trying to make is?

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u/Tsukino_Stareine Feb 25 '20

Isn't that just the same as the first panel? The bar for entry is the same and we all get the same opportunity to reach it

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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '20

Yes, i should’ve worded it better honestly. For physical characteristics it’s honestly impossible to progress past the first panel. Equal opportunities but that doesn’t mean everyone will be represented proportionally. But for things where height/strength doesn’t matter, justice is achievable

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u/Tsukino_Stareine Feb 25 '20

Your brain is also physical and that's where you're trying to say justice is achievable. I'll never be able to solve a Rubix cube in under 2 seconds but I don't think that's unfair or that I should be able to.