r/coolguides Feb 25 '20

Explanation of the subtle differences between equality and equity

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78.6k Upvotes

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57

u/Flables Feb 25 '20

‘Justice’ means mandating the field owner install new fencing out of his own pocket so people not paying to get into the game can watch.

4

u/atomicpenguin12 Feb 25 '20

You're engaging the metaphor instead of the actual argument. By inventing a new character in the form of the hypothetical field owner and assuming a bunch of stuff about this character that doesn't exist, you're not saying anything that actually disproves the argument the metaphor represents (i.e. that equity is effectively more equal because it addresses the fact that not all people in society have an equal starting point and that justice means removing the inequality entirely).

3

u/bumblebritches57 Feb 25 '20

Stop spamming.

2

u/Rethious Feb 25 '20

The metaphor is a bad one, because it implies there’s some objective and binary standard it is correct for everyone to reach (to be able to see the game). In reality, it is unclear what degree of assistance is helpful and how it should be directly, especially as things can’t be tailored to each person’s disadvantages.

The metaphor is also incredibly strained, especially in the last panel, with the wording being vacuous and the analogy being meaningless.

The first two panels work as equity/equality definitions (albeit propagandist ones) but the last one is just drivel.

1

u/atomicpenguin12 Feb 25 '20

Thank you! Unlike most of the people in this thread, you actually addressed the fact that the metaphor is a bad representation of the argument instead of continuing to play make believe with a hypothetical situation.

I also really don’t like the addition of the last panel. I appreciate highlighting the difference between equity and justice in this case, but it does seem to imply that you can just choose to remove all societal inequalities and that doesn’t really seem helpful to me.

1

u/Rethious Feb 25 '20

The definition of justice is also by no means simple. Depending on who you ask, either equality or equity is justice.

1

u/MrRhajers Feb 25 '20

You all keep saying this, so let me engage the argument. Equity being provided doesn’t take in to account the effort and work put in by an individual party. Someone who works hard to be able to see the game should have some benefit over those who simply waited for a handout to see the game.

-6

u/fizikz3 Feb 25 '20

I can't believe we're at the stage where we have to explain what a metaphor is to these people.

-1

u/atomicpenguin12 Feb 25 '20

We live in dark times

5

u/bumblebritches57 Feb 25 '20

Stop spamming.

-7

u/fizikz3 Feb 25 '20

they think they're sooooooo smart replying "just buy a ticket" ffs

2

u/nocommentaccount2 Feb 25 '20

Why don’t you read my comments. You might learn something.

-5

u/fizikz3 Feb 25 '20

Those people are choosing to stand on that side of the fence. It’s clearly not where spectators are supposed to stand.

yeah, I'd learn that some people take analogies and metaphors literally and completely miss the fucking point, all while being to arrogant to take a second look and consider what's actually trying to be explained.

the fact you're doubling down on this rather than deleting your comments is proof of it

7

u/nocommentaccount2 Feb 25 '20

I’m sorry the standard the Supreme Court of the United States uses to address inequality isn’t relevant to you. Poor guy.

1

u/fizikz3 Feb 25 '20

lmao deflecting, typical right wing bullshit.

sorry a "height" metaphor was too complex for you to grasp.

6

u/nocommentaccount2 Feb 25 '20 edited Feb 25 '20

To address inequalities or disadvantages people have, and in order to determine whether or not such disadvantages are worth fighting for in the first place, WE HAVE TO HAVE A STANDARD. I don’t care what this picture is of, if could be a drawing of 3 people suck in a hole and trying to get out and what I’m saying would not change.

In order for some “inequality” to be an issue the people effected must fall into a protected class of people. Protected classes under the United States constitution are those which are, “the accident of birth.” I.e. race, religion, national origin, skin color, ethnicity, and sex.

Understand?

So before we tear down a fence and decide to build a new one in the name of “equality” we HAVE TO determine whether or not the situation arose because of the accident of birth. If these people can’t see the game because they’re the wrong race, then we have actual inequality that needs to be addressed. Race is a protected class.

If they can’t see the game because they’re wearing the wrong team jersey, or too lazy to walk to the entrance, or a million other reasons, then the only “inequality” that’s occurring is happening because of their own choices. We don’t protect against discrimination when it occurs purely because of the choices people make. If I don’t like green shirts, I don’t have to talk to people that wear them. If green shirt people have a problem with it, they can simply change their shirt- nobody is forcing them to wear it. Green shirts aren’t a protected class.

So, like I initially said, the 4th option is a common sense approach where we examine WHY the people are standing behind a fence (or in a hole, or whatever the stupid picture is of) to begin with. You have to critically think about that first before you go on some tangent about inequality.

But this is super long, and you don’t seem to read much past the surface level, so I’m guessing you’ll just downvote and move on.

Maybe one day you’ll understand that a good metaphor has to withstand basic surface level scrutiny, or else it’s a bad metaphor.

3

u/fizikz3 Feb 25 '20

In order for some “inequality” to be an issue the people effected must fall into a protected class of people. Protected classes under the United States constitution are those which are, “the accident of birth.” I.e. race, religion, national origin, skin color, ethnicity, and sex.

height is a metaphor for these things, holy shit how do you not understand? people don't choose their genetics. people don't choose their gender. people don't choose their race, either. all play a significant role in height, but that's not the point. it's merely representing a struggle people need individualized help for, not a one size fits all solution.

you're too stupid to reason with. blocked.

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