Equity

The dictionary definition of the words equity and equality are very similar but in practice there is a world of difference. Equality is about equal opportunity and equity is about equal results. Equality is about meritocracy. Everyone is allowed to compete in the US Open Golf Tournament. You first get your handicap down and then sign up at one of the more than 100 local qualifying sites. If you win you move and if you keep winning you will be in the tournament. The very best players are in this tournament. Everyone has the opportunity to compete. Equal opportunity. Equal results is a different ball game. On MPR yesterday they talked about the Dakota War with the Native Americans. There are over 100 markers throughout the state with the names of men, women and children that died during this war. These markers are being torn down because there are no markers for the Indians that died. Equal results. Many government jobs have eased the test requirements to accommodate minorities who cannot pass the test. This started with jobs like police and fire but has spread to jobs in medicine and pilots. Many district attorney's are reducing felonies to misdemeanors and then refusing to prosecute because there are disproportionately too many Blacks in jail. Equal results. When too many Asian Americans were being admitted to universities the college began to add personality characteristics to the admission requirements. Some have even discontinued the SAT. When too many Black students were being expelled the schools stopped expelling. Just like criminals on the street understand they will not be punished the students know they will not be expelled. When you take away the punishment for wrong doing you get more wrong doing.