What is inequality?
How do we know it when we see it?
How do we describe it? What does
society do about it?
1.
Humanity,
both here in the USA and around the world has struggled with these questions
for millennia. Inequality and its many
sub-divisions is endemic in human culture.
Humanity is a kaleidoscope of differences; language, religion, politics,
laws, color, accents, geography, gender are just some of the differences that
are woven through humanity and ever has it been thus. Differences between humans have always been
there. If we believe in Darwin, they are
indeed necessary elements to the long-term survival of our species. A necessary part of the nature of life itself
and not just humanity – it is nature doing it’s thing.
2.
These
differences in any species, these varieties, enables the adaption of species as
our planet changes over time. This is an
entirely understandable, provable and mostly an accepted truism – so what is
the problem? Why is there a
problem? What are we doing to resolve
the problem of inequality?
3.
Given
“differences” are omnipresent in any species and a necessary element to the
ongoing survival of that species how has it become a problem in humanity? Why does it need to be said on billboards
that “Black Lives Matter”. How did the
Holocaust happen? How did slavery
emerge? How did Empires emerge? Why is it the majority of humanity – women -
still have a lesser voice in its direction as the minority - men? How do we end this approach to living
together that makes differences a negative impact on humanity and enable
oppression and often needless death?
4.
ENDLESS
SHADES OF INEQUALITY
The above
seems to support the postulations of Robin DiAngelo. She said:
“All humans have
prejudice; we cannot avoid it.” stating further that, “People who claim not to
be prejudiced are demonstrating a profound lack of self-awareness.” DiAngelo, Robin “Perception
of Race” Inquiry to Academic Writing: A
Text and Reader, 5th Edition: page 519: Ebook. As an
individual do I have these thoughts? The
answer is no. I see the differences as I
have eyes and ears that work reasonably well and the differences are often
obvious – but never in themselves do the differences in my species constitute a
threat to me. Do I think less of people
who do not share my heritage or culture?
Again, no. In my education, work
and social activities I mix everyday with people of different backgrounds. Presently, I am living abroad and 99% of the
time I am a minority of 1 - one Englishman in proximity of some 300 million
Americans. I am curious about Americans
and the American way of life. An
opportunity presented itself to me to explore my curiosity with humanity and I
actively took it to understand my planet better. That is why I am in the USA and why I have
travelled generally; to expand my knowledge of fellow humans and to understand
their views and culture. I do not feel
threatened by the American who fills my car up with “gas”. I don’t look down on the “Cop” that nods to me
when I say “Good Morning” to her in the street.
If DiAngelo is correct; I do not know my own mind. I have never met her so how does she know my
mind? I can’t prove I am unique any way
more than DiAngelo can prove her general statement quoted above so it is likely
there are more out there like me. DiAngelo’s
statement on race is a generalisation and is not based on evidence about me and
others that may exist like me.
5. Thoughtless labeling of groups of people
helps those who would discriminate against those groups. We live in a world of soundbites and slogans
and the power of such in advertising and politics is accepted. Billions of dollars a year is spent in
promulgating slogans, labels and soundbites in an attempt to rally large groups
of people to one action or another - whether to vote or to buy or do something
else and are powerful. The labels of
inequality and discrimination include, racism, sexism, ageism, religious
intolerance, homophobia etc. These terms
appertain to the disadvantaged groups they effect. Sexism – relates to a person’s sex or
perceived gender. Ageism, a person’s age
and so on. It seems almost every day
that the press and social media report on a protest by one group or another
asking for freedom to be themselves and have an equal voice and equal rights in
society. The need to understand
inequality and discrimination, is vital to identify those effected and capture
the adverse experiences they are exposed to
This is the first step in correcting to the de facto and de
jour measures that create and maintain the inequality such groups
experience. The labels given above
describe more than they prescribe. An
example of where categorization, labeling and tagging is taken to encompass
deep, multilayered action has been explored by Ibram Kendi. In a short article Kendi wrote: “If
we don’t do the basic work of defining the kind of people we want to be in
language that is stable and consistent, we can’t work towards stable,
consistent goals.” Kendi,
Ibram X “Definitions” Inquiry to
Academic Writing: A Text and Reader, 5th Edition: page 529:
Ebook
6.
The stable goals he refers to are
equality. Specifically, the eradication
of racism. In his article he introduces
and defines the “anti-racist”. The
“anti-racist” and anti-racist acts are measures and attitudes that are
considered in depth and achieve a redress in discrimination by means that conventional
“race neutral” acts and measures cannot.
Kendi advocates that attitudes and laws that disadvantage minorities can
be race neutral on the face of it yet still lead to social inequality. He cites global warming as an example. Here he postulates that resolving one
country’s need to control its climate could create adverse change in another
and therefore discriminate against them.
This is a far-reaching position and one that is full of pitfalls but as
a principle it is new (to the author).
In short, if a race neutral law, attitude or opinion is to work against
inequality/discrimination none of its consequences can create
discrimination. This is the essence of
“anti-racism” and these measures should be enacted until no longer needed. It is a needs-must approach to redressing
inequality across humanity.
7.
CONCLUSIONS
Wikipedia
defines social inequality thus:
“Social
inequality occurs when resources in a given society are distributed
unevenly, typically through norms of
allocation, that engender specific patterns along lines of socially defined
categories of persons. It is the differentiation preference of access of social
goods in the society brought about by power, religion, kinship, prestige, race,
ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and class. Social inequality
usually implies the lack of equality of outcome, but may alternatively be
conceptualized in terms of the lack of equality of access to opportunity.[1] The
social rights include labor market, the source of income, health care, and
freedom of speech, education, political representation, and participation.” Wikipedia, Social inequality - Wikipedia 2/20/2022
8.
If the above definition of social inequality is
accepted then “anti-racist” attitudes and laws would completely change the way
we live, work and be governed. Attitudes
would also need to be changed by some that seek to drive the inequality
debate. Take DiAngelo’s (a well know
campaigner for human rights) and her statement above and my thoughts on her
words. Would that fall within Kendi’s
definition of “anti-racist”? I think not. She is applying a generalised mindset on me
with no evidence about me or the others like me that probably exist. This is the root of discrimination. One group imposing on another for some form
of gain. Whether for notoriety, money or
power discrimination is the non-observation of difference and the observation
of the potential to exploit/oppress. It
is the domination of one group over another for reasons of self-validation or
gain. This is the reason why all subgroups
of humanity are exposed to it and why it will persist until the lust for power
of one over another has been eradicated from society.
9. Does
this mean we are all doomed to inhabit a world of inequality and discrimination? For the next few generations, probably. What is the answer? To create more humans who see difference and
enjoy its presence in the world. How do
we do this? No idea, but I bet the
answer is with our youngest and how they are raised and I bet it needs to start
in the cradle to work. What is certain
is that we need to accept and enjoy differences in our species if we, as a
species are to survive in the long-term and adapt with our environment and live
together in peace.
S P
RATTLEY
Citations:
DiAngelo, Robin “Perception of Race” Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Text and Reader, 5th
Edition: page 519: Ebook
Kendi, Ibram X “Definitions” Inquiry to Academic Writing: A Text and Reader, 5th
Edition: page 529: Ebook
Wikipeadia,
Social inequality - Wikipedia 2/20/2022
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