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The True Citizen, Wednesday, July 7, 2021 — Page 5
Michael N. Searles
Equality is a tricky word.
One definition is the right of
different groups of people to
have a similar social position
and receive the same treat
ment. Another definition is
a situation in which men and
women, people of different
races, religions, etc. are all
treated fairly and have the
same opportunities. These two
definitions may seem the same,
there is a slight difference. In
the second definition the word
fairly stands out. Everything
equal is not fair.
In the children’s story about
the Tortoise and the Hare we
learn a valuable lesson: Slow
and steady wins the race. How
ever, we know on the face of
it, it is not an equal race even
though the two protagonists
begin at the same starting
point. The hare, under any cir
cumstance except in this fable,
will win the race. A hare out
running a tortoise is not news
but an inevitability. Beginning
at the same starting point may
suggest equality but does not
necessarily mean equity. The
definition of equity suggests
something resolved not simply
according to the strict letter of
the law but in accordance with
principles of substantial justice
and the unique facts of the case.
Life can often challenge
us with visuals. Why is the
women’s golf tee placement
a shorter distance to the hole
than men? With a small intro
spection, it can be reasonably
agreed that most women would
be at a disadvantage if they
were expected to drive a golf
ball as far as their male coun
terpart. So they are given a few
yards advantage to even out the
competition. Long length track
events seem to give runners on
the outside lanes a head start
over those in the first or second
lanes; however, this is just an
optical illusion. The staggered
start gives everyone an equal
start and an equal chance to
win the race.
In the area of social justice,
it is easy to draw similar false
conclusions. For many years,
a person in a wheel chair had
no adequate way, without help,
to enter many public buildings.
It was as if physical disability
did not matter. Some said the
EQUALITY VS EQUITY
building was there and it had
an entrance, so what was the
problem. It was not until 1990
that the Americans with Dis
abilities Act was signed into
law. Before that time, those
with disabilities could be dis
counted or ignored. The Act
prohibited discrimination in
recruitment, hiring, promo
tions, training, pay, social
activities, and other privileges
of employment.
The topic of equity has
gained increased prominence
as African Americans argue
that past discriminatory prac
tices have disadvantaged them.
When two farmers, one white
and one black, applied for a
loan or grant from the Depart
ment of Agriculture, black
farmers systemically were
denied. There were no objec
tive reason for the denial; it
was done on the basis of racial
prejudice. Black farmers pro
tested and brought lawsuits
demanding debt relief. The
federal government’s decades
of discrimination caused black
famers to lose their land and
caused many to make less
progress than their fellow
white farmers. In 1920, one
in seven farmers in American
was black, but by 1982 only
one in every 67 was black. The
newest stimulus bill included
$4 billion in debt relief and
additional assistance for black
farmers to address the wrongs
they experienced.
Few federal legislators pro
tested when black farmers
were being systematically
denied assistance; however,
forty-nine senators voted to
strip or reduce the aid that was
proposed. One of the leading
senators in seeking to lessen or
strip black farmers from this
assistance was Senator Lindsey
Graham of South Carolina.
Various white farmers and
their associations argue that
it was unequal and unfair for
the black farmers to receive
funds that were not available
to them. They sometimes
quoted Dr. King that a person
should be judged by the content
of their character and not the
color of their skin. This is a
prime example where equality
and equity diverge. This also
challenges America’s willing
ness to acknowledge sins of
the past and a willingness to
correct them. It seems that
fairness has its merit unless it
comes to race.
People in the news
U of ALABAMA
Local students attending
the University of Alabama
in Tuscaloosa were recently
recognized for their academic
excellence for Spring 2021.
Talaya Lewis of Hephzibah
was named to the president’s
list for maintaining a 4.0 GPA
while taking a full course load.
Rebecca Kilpatrick of Hephzi
bah earned a spot on the dean’s
list for maintaining at least a
3.5 GPA while taking a full
course load.
VALDOSTA STATE
During Valdosta State Uni
versity’s Spring 2021 com
mencement, several local stu
dents graduated with a variety
of degrees. Graduating stu
dents were Araya Bradley of
Hephzibah, Bachelor of Sci
ence in health science; Natasha
Harris of Hephzibah, Educa
tion Specialist in instructional
technology; Breanna Smith of
Hephzibah, Bachelor of Arts in
psychology; Areli Cruz-Olguin
of Keysville, Bachelor of Fine
Arts in interior design; Susana
Garcia-Torres of Louisville,
Bachelor of Science in health
science; Chetiqua Newton of
Millen, Bachelor of Science
in office administration and
technology; Johnequa Wil
liams of Millen, Bachelor of
Business Administration in
management; and Leslie Young
of Millen, Bachelor of Science
in criminal justice
MERCER
The following area students
were among those who gradu
ated from Mercer during the
2020-2021 academic year:
Amelia Cline of Waynesboro,
College of Health Professions,
Master of Medical Science;
and Samuel Garett Wilder,
School of Medicine, Doctor of
Medicine.
onstruct
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