When Equal Is Not Fair. Why Justice Requires Equity Not Just Equality

Equality, Equity, and Justice. Not Synonyms.

Let's start with some definitions:

Equality - Everyone receives the same

Equity - Everyone receives what they need

Justice - Everyone receives what they deserve

These are not the same thing. Let's break them down...

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Equality

Equality is the type of justice we are most used to. Anyone who has split a cooking between two kids knows how quickly "unfair" will get thrown out if one half is bigger.

In society equality often comes in two flavors:

Equality of opportunity - means that everyone has the same freedom to attempt success.

Equality of outcome - means that people of marginalized groups are equally likely to attain success.

Generally, our society promotes equality of opportunity but does not promote equality of outcome.

Examples of equality of opportunity would be laws like the ADA and Civil Rights Act that prevent discrimination based on ability or race.

Examples of equality of outcome (or policies intended to promote it) would be things like affirmative action.

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Equity

Equity means distribution where everyone gets what they need. A classic example where equity is the fair option is:

A bunch of kids are playing on the playground, Timmy falls and scrapes his knee. Timmy gets a bandaid and no one else does.

In this example, equity is more fair than equality. It wouldn't make sense for every kid to get a bandaid because only Timmy needs one.

Equity ensures that people with higher needs like those with disabilities receive those needs, regardless of their ability to "earn" them through success.

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Justice

Remember that we defined justice as: everyone gets what they deserve.

This definition is inherently unclear. What do people "deserve."

Do they deserve equal opportunities under the law?

Do they deserve material rewards for being more successful than others?

Do they deserve an equal shot at success regardless of starting point?

Do they deserve to have their needs met?

Which of these questions you answer yes to, all help determines your view of justice.

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Equity and Justice

Despite the simplicity of equities definition (everyone gets what they need) it is rarely taught in schools and many adults have never heard of it.

I hope that most people believe others deserve to have their needs met.

The UN believes in a right to food, shelter, safety, and health. Yet most of our societies do not guarantee these basic necessities.

I believe equity is necessary for justice. But how can you fight for something you never heard of?

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Equality of Outcome Is A Poor Way Of Trying To Express Equity

You may have noticed that equality of outcome is a slightly strange definition. The way resources are allocated in a society with equality of outcome is not at all equal. The people with the highest needs receive the most resources in order to have the same access to health and happiness as those with lower needs.

I believe one of the reasons advocacy for equality of outcome is so difficult is because it's a poor way of expressing a desire for equity.

We want everyone to receive what they need. Yet this basic word is missing from the vocabulary and dialogue so complicated workarounds arise.

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Equity Is Better Than Equality Of Outcome

Furthermore, I argue that equity is a better model of justice than equality of outcome because equality of outcome assumes that "success" is everyone's goal and that it is in society's best interest to make everyone "successful."

Equality of outcome assumes that success will always be a prerequisite for self-worth and happiness and that therefore we must promote success among all groups.

While all groups should have equality of opportunity to pursue their goals, and equity to meet their needs in pursuing said goals, it is unrealistic and paternalistic to assume that traditional success is the goal of all groups.

Under equality of outcomes, a woman has the choice and support to pursue the same high-paying career as a man, but if she chooses not to (for example to prioritize undervalued work in caregiving) she is still seen as less successful and less valuable.

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Equity Separates Needs From Success

Equity is essential to justice because it separates having our needs met, from being successful.

Unlike equality of opportunity which simply gives marginalized people the (often unattainable) option of success which will lead to a comfortable life, or equality of outcome which pushes marginalized people to succeed in a traditional (possibly undesired) way, equity guarantees safety regardless of success.

It is impossible for everyone to obtain traditional capitalist success. Janitors, nurses, child care workers, caregivers, farm workers, grocery stockists, warehouse staff without these "unglamorous" professions society would crumble. Not to mention the people with severe illness who shouldn't be focused on any job besides healing and surviving.

But although not everyone can be successful, everyone deserves to have their needs met.

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Spread The Word - Literally

The word equity is essential to discussing justice in the form of meeting everyone's needs.

At its most basic, the question of justice is a question of distribution, who gets what.

When we only discuss this question with the view of equality, we will never adequately meet the needs of those who need more and those who do not desire traditional success.

People's value is not their success. It is not their productivity. Our worth comes from being human, from being alive. We do not just deserve opportunities for success, we deserve freedom to define our own lives and our own success.

Equity - everyone getting what they need - is the pathway to that future.

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Equity is the division of resources such that everyone gets what they need.

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Equality ignores our differing needs, Equality Of Opportunity ignores the vastly different assistance levels young people have when seeking opportunity

Equality Of Outcome which ignores the fact that different people desire different outcomes not just conventional success

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Justice has many definitions. Most of them centered around what is equal "fair." But sometimes fair is not equal.

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If one person breaks their leg we shouldn't give everyone in the class a cast. That isn't fair. It is fair to give casts to people who break bones, the people who need them.

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The word equity has been missing far too long from the common vocabulary. It is a basic idea: fair is providing everyone with their needs. But it solves so many problems.

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For example, some disabled people simply cannot do some things. I am bedbound and must remain in a low sensory environment, I cannot go run a mile outdoors no matter how inclusive the event is.

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In an equitable world there is no concern over whether I can do this action. The concern is with having what I need to do the things I do desire.

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We don't need everyone to get the same thing. It is fair for people who need more to survive to get more. It is fair for people to be respected regardless of their opportunities or outcomes in life. We should value all people simply for being alive and meet their needs because it is the communal and pro-social action.

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Disability justice starts and ends with equity.