Day 4 - 186 -- Equality & Equity

There's been a lot of talk around the nation's shortcomings -- those things that need to be worked on further to provide an equitable home for all citizens. It isn't astonishing that these points arose during the celebrations this past weekend. No place is perfect -- though it appears we are headed in the right direction.  There is much work to do to address the past and present grievances of indigenous peoples, lower income people, and those disadvantaged for a variety of economic, social and health reasons. We should celebrate that we live in a part of the world where voicing concerns is accepted. This can get conversations started -- it is advocacy for a cause.

Perhaps, though, there needs to be a broader conversation about two words I heard used interchangeably this weekend -- equality and equity -- for they are not the same thing. Both terms are used when discussions of fairness arise. The term equality is used most often in news and policy circles. This refers to everyone being treated the same. Equity goes beyond this basic necessity for fairness, to ensure that everyone has what they need for success -- health, education, income, peace, security, and such. Often a diagram is used to show the difference between the two concepts. Three people are watching a sporting event on the other side of a fence. One adult is tall enough to see over the fence, but the other two (an adult and a child) cannot see anything due to being shorter. The next frame shows that a step has been placed along the length of the fence so the two shorter people can stand on that to see across the fence. The second adult can now sort of see over the fence, but the child cannot see anything. The third frame of the visual shows steps of differing heights being available so that now all three people are at the same level and can see the game well. We need both concepts at play to ensure a thriving community of people. Understanding that the playing field is not at the same level for everyone can help the conversation move along. It does mean that we have to face a series of truths to understand that we are not all in the same place. Some of us are coming from a place of privilege that others do not have.

Well -- stepping off my soapbox <smile> -- when thinking about this over the past few days, one song rang through my head repeatedly. It is written (and sung) by a Canadian prairie boy and sung by a group that originated on the prairies. The lyrics talk about a future where everyone succeeds together. Enjoy!

NOTE: there is some background schmutz noise in places here -- but the video is too good not to watch. Forgive the schmutz <smile>.

Share the Land -- The Guess Who (by Burton Cummings) [from the Johnny Cash Show in 1970]