Issam Azrak Political Science 120 Critical Inquiry Module 5 26/01/2023 Do we currently live in an equitable society? o What is equity? o What is prejudice and discrimination and how do we recognize it? o How does prejudice and discrimination play a role in inequity? o What is considered to be an equitable society? Issam Azrak International School Saint Lucia Political Science 120 Mr. Louisy January 26, 2023. Issam Azrak Political Science 120 Critical Inquiry Module 5 26/01/2023 No one can deny that our society still has significant disparities between different groups. From the pay gap to the racial wealth gap, there is ample evidence that society is far from equitable. However, it does not appear that much progress has been made recently toward creating an equitable society. And today, we'll delve deep into a question that has been pestering my mind: Do we currently live in an equitable society? Many of us hear the terms equity and equality thrown around in the news these days, and surprisingly, most people confuse the two terms as meaning the same thing. Though they are similar, it is important that we learn the difference between the two before moving forward. The fairness or impartiality with which resources, opportunities, and outcomes are distributed among individuals or groups is referred to as equity. The concept of equity implies that everyone, regardless of differences, should be treated equally and have equal rights and access to resources. Equity seeks to address systemic imbalances in power and resources that limit people's ability to reach their full potential, especially those who face discrimination because of their race, gender, class, disability, or other identity markers. Equity differs from equality in that it seeks to ensure that everyone has what they need to succeed rather than providing the same resources to everyone regardless of need. Equity is a pillar of social justice and a necessary first step toward a more equitable and just world. In contrast, equality means providing everyone with the same rights, resources and opportunities regardless of their circumstance. Prejudice and discrimination are two interconnected concepts that are the most common societal causes of inequity. The terms generally refer to the practice of attributing negative traits or behaviors to individuals or groups of individuals based on their membership in a particular group. This can be based on a variety of factors, including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and others. Prejudice is an attitude or opinion formed in the absence of real evidence or Issam Azrak Political Science 120 Critical Inquiry Module 5 26/01/2023 information, whereas discrimination is action taken against a group or individual based on those prejudicial views. "But how can we identify prejudice and discrimination?" you may wonder. By paying attention to language and behavior, we can identify prejudice and discrimination. Prejudiced language frequently employs stereotypes and generalizations, such as the assumption that all members of a particular group are the same. It also includes slurs and insults, as well as jokes about a specific group. Exclusionary discrimination can also take the form of refusing to hire someone because of their race or religion, or treating members of one group differently than others. It can also include unequal access to resources or opportunities, as well as the adoption of policies that disproportionately harm certain groups. As previously stated, prejudice and discrimination are two of the most significant contributors to inequity in many aspects of life. Prejudice is defined as an individual's or a group's attitude or beliefs that lead to them making negative, snap judgments about other people. This can breed distrust and division, which can lead to discrimination, which is the unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on perceived differences. Discrimination can take many forms, including limiting access to education, employment, housing, and even basic rights like voting. These systemic forms of discrimination are frequently the result of centuries of prejudice, and have resulted in significant and pervasive inequity, which is a power imbalance and access to resources. Before coming to a conclusion, we must first establish the main concepts behind what is considered to be an equitable society. An equitable society is one that strives for fairness and justice for all. This means that everyone has access to the same rights and opportunities, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or socioeconomic status. It also means that everyone has access to basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education. In addition, an equitable Issam Azrak Political Science 120 Critical Inquiry Module 5 26/01/2023 society values diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure that all voices are heard. Finally, it recognizes that different individuals have different needs, and works to ensure that everyone is provided with the resources they need to thrive. So, do we live in an equitable society? No, we do not. Prejudice and discrimination continue to create power and resource imbalances that limit people's ability to reach their full potential, particularly those who face discrimination based on their race, gender, class, disability, or other identity markers. Furthermore, unequal access to resources and opportunities for certain individuals and groups has resulted in significant and widespread inequity. An equitable society strives for fairness and justice for all, and works to ensure that everyone has the resources they need to thrive, whereas our society allows the rich and privileged groups to thrive off the hard work of the working class. Issam Azrak Political Science 120 Critical Inquiry Module 5 26/01/2023 Works Cited 11.3 Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism - Introduction to Sociology 3e | OpenStax. (n.d.). https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/11-3-prejudicediscrimination-and-racism Abrams, D. (2010). Processes of prejudice: Theory, evidence and intervention. Equality and Human Rights Commission. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/research-report-56processes-of-prejudice-theory-evidence-and-intervention.pdf Prejudice and discrimination: Barriers to social inclusion | DISD. (n.d.). https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2018/02/prejudice-and-discrimination/ United Way of the National Capital Area. (2021, December 16). What Is Social Equity? Definition & Examples. United Way NCA. https://unitedwaynca.org/blog/what-is-socialequity/ The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2022, July 24). Equity vs. Equality and Other Racial Justice Definitions. https://www.aecf.org/blog/racial-justice-definitions
