What is equal may not be fair
In researching the definitions of equality and equity, the word “fair” is often used to define both words. I suggest that this ambiguity in meaning confuses those who are trying to determine if existing public policies in health, education, housing, employment and other areas should be shifted from equal treatment to equitable treatment.
Why is this even an issue? Because as communities have become more aware of the importance of including all of their citizens in their economic growth for their own sustainability, a sense of urgency has emerged to strategically become more economically inclusive.
There is a glaring realization that minorities have been statistically left out of the economic equation. History and evidence-based research indicate that policies and practices have been built and implemented across the spectrum of services that individuals and communities require to survive and thrive, whether intentional or not, based on the needs and desires of the majority. With the current growth of the minority population and the predicted growth over the next 10 years, it becomes more evident that corporations, organizations and governments need to examine how to increase the number of minorities in the living-wage workforce and add more decision-makers who resemble this growing population of people of color.
How can this be done, and how can it be done quickly enough for the survival and sustainability of communities? The first step is to consider if current programs and services to empower people with the skills to become economically self-sufficient are based on treating everyone the same — giving everyone the same training and support. If this “sameness” is exclusive, which minimizes the ability of some to reach the goal of thriving, step two is to consider how these same programs and services can be transformed to be inclusive. This inclusivity will directly address the individual needs of a population by utilizing equity as a means, with equality becoming the outcome or impact. Step three is to ensure those who deliver the programs and services are culturally responsive, have been trained and are participating in continuous education to become and remain culturally competent, with the ability to recognize and address the issues of equity vs. equality.
Diffen.com states, “Equality generally refers to equal opportunity and the same levels of support for all segments of society. Equity goes a step further and refers to offering varying levels of support depending upon need to achieve greater fairness of outcomes.”
Facing the reality that our communities will not grow if we continue to treat people the same who come from different cultures, education and environments is challenging. What is even more difficult is making the leap to change our familiar and comfortable strategies of equal, the same for all, to strategies of equity, recognizing and providing what we each may need to achieve equality. However difficult and challenging, I am so optimistic. I believe we can and we will make this leap into the future.
Dr. Sadie M. Winlock is known for her skills to approach a challenge analytically while engaging a variety of people and talents, Dr. Winlock has achieved incredible success in working for a Fortune 100 financial services company and eight years as a business owner, as well as a COO and CEO in nonprofit organizations.
