I love the phrase “I’m all for equality but isn’t this going a bit too far?” because like. It acknowledges that the issue is a matter of equality and tries to soften the ideological blow of what’s about to be said with the waiver that in most situations equality is totally cool by them, but on this occasion, there is an excess of equality here. Too much equality. This makes people too equal and they cannot in good conscience stand by it. Slow down this equality at once before we get too carried away on people being equal.
“I’m all for everyone being equal but shouldn’t some people be MORE EQUAL than others?”
Honestly, fuck equality. Equality is about sameness, but sameness doesn’t make up for thousands of years of oppression. And it gives rise to these mindsets, these “I’m for equality, which means I’m against affirmative action” sort of statements. The people who say they’re for equality are trying to turn a blind eye to discrimination and injustice, while trying to feel good about how they “don’t see color” or “treat everyone the same.”
Equity needs to be the center of these discussions. Equity means fairness, justice, acknowledging the differences between the privileged and the oppressed, and putting them on level ground by raising them up or lowering them down appropriately. Plus, it’s harder for someone to say “I believe in equity, but I don’t believe in affirmative action,” as it becomes a contradictory statement.
We find out who our true allies are when we shift the conversation from equality to equity.
(via thatdiabolicalfeminist)
