Equality. I have seen the word thrown around in social justice circles and when discussing politics. It is almost always used to mean something positive. I don't agree with it. Now, you are probably thinking is she going to come out and start spewing some sort of hate speech. No, I promise you I won't. So, hear me out. I don't believe in equality because it advocates for giving people the same treatment regardless of race, gender, and other diversifying factors. While on the surface level, this sounds good, in actuality has many negative broader implications. While I do believe in some sorts fo equality, I value equitable treatment or justice over equality.Let's look at this way if someone killed another innocent human being for no reason. We would probably want that person behind bars. If you truly want everyone to be treated equally we can't punish that person, because they must be treated like anyone else. This how true equality works. Well, you might counter that with no one really believes in equality in that sense then. While it may not be as obvious as not punishing murderers, it could be something like not wanting to give black people reparations after decades of continuous oppression. The reasoning can be cited because they want equality. This is why equality just doesn't work because everyone should not get the same treatment in every context. There are certain contexts where certain people need certain things. For example, wheelchair-bound people to need ramps and accessible buildings, but if we simply push for equality we either going to have everyone bound to wheelchairs or nor accommodations. The reality is everyone doesn't need the same exact treatment, but the treatment that is warranted by the circumstances. Japanese people who suffered internment got reparations and an apology, but whites did not get that same thing for the reason that it was a move of equity and not equality.
In our fight for social justice, we must make it clear that while equality is necessary in some cases. The ultimate goal is justice and equity and not equality. This is why I stand opposed to holding equality as the highest value in this fight because it will inevitably lead to further injustice.
