Few recent shifts have been more consequential than the deliberate transformation & obfuscation around "equity."
What once named a key dimension of justice has been redefined & repurposed as a tool for culture-warring, institutional capture, & unearned privilege & favors. 1/
What once named a key dimension of justice has been redefined & repurposed as a tool for culture-warring, institutional capture, & unearned privilege & favors. 1/
Justice sets relations right by rendering someone what's due. It has at least two aspects.
1. Equity is about consistency, like cases treated in like ways. So, *ALL* who do X are treated the same way.
2. Desert is about what *this* person is owed. She did X, so she deserves Y.
2/
1. Equity is about consistency, like cases treated in like ways. So, *ALL* who do X are treated the same way.
2. Desert is about what *this* person is owed. She did X, so she deserves Y.
2/
Equity & desert can come apart (qualifications apply).
Equity without desert: Two people with equally superb work get *the same* grade - but it's *bad,* not what's due.
Desert without equity: Two people with equal work get different grades; only one gets what she deserves.
3/
Equity without desert: Two people with equally superb work get *the same* grade - but it's *bad,* not what's due.
Desert without equity: Two people with equal work get different grades; only one gets what she deserves.
3/
Believers have redefined 'equity,' fashioning a subtle & effective ideological sword, while hiding what's really going on & leveraging the borrowed capital of *real* equity's true relation to justice.
'Equity' *sounds* righteous - but its meaning is deliberately vague & hazy. 4/
'Equity' *sounds* righteous - but its meaning is deliberately vague & hazy. 4/
'Equity' now means 'equal outcomes across select, politically useful group identity.'
If there's a field where composition doesn't mirror the broader population or one group 'outperforms' another, that's an 'equity' problem. It's defined as an injustice that must be corrected. 5/
If there's a field where composition doesn't mirror the broader population or one group 'outperforms' another, that's an 'equity' problem. It's defined as an injustice that must be corrected. 5/
Neo-equity:
The *goal* is equal outcomes.
The *assumption* is that unequal outcomes are necessarily unjust & produced by unjust standards/processes.
The *means* is doing whatever it takes to get equal outcomes: redefining 'excellence,' abolishing grades, declare merit a myth. 6/
The *goal* is equal outcomes.
The *assumption* is that unequal outcomes are necessarily unjust & produced by unjust standards/processes.
The *means* is doing whatever it takes to get equal outcomes: redefining 'excellence,' abolishing grades, declare merit a myth. 6/
In the name of neo-equity (equal outcomes for select groups), anything goes, even outright discrimination.
Yet b/c it is cloaked as 'justice,' what's happening must be redescribed.
It's not that we're rejecting excellence, it's just that our old idea of excellence was bigoted. 7/
Yet b/c it is cloaked as 'justice,' what's happening must be redescribed.
It's not that we're rejecting excellence, it's just that our old idea of excellence was bigoted. 7/
The logic of neo-equity is viciously circular:
How do we know the old idea of excellence was bigoted? Because of the unequal outcomes.
What's true excellence? Whatever standard produces equal outcomes.
The whole thing is deeply dishonest, degrading, & condescending. 8/
How do we know the old idea of excellence was bigoted? Because of the unequal outcomes.
What's true excellence? Whatever standard produces equal outcomes.
The whole thing is deeply dishonest, degrading, & condescending. 8/
The consequences of neo-equity are devastating:
Institutions & practices that require uncompromising commitment to excellence are hollowed out.
Deserving people aren denied their fair shot.
Others have their true merit discounted.
Systemic lying means a loss of real standards. 9/
Institutions & practices that require uncompromising commitment to excellence are hollowed out.
Deserving people aren denied their fair shot.
Others have their true merit discounted.
Systemic lying means a loss of real standards. 9/
Unequal outcomes *can* be a symptom of injustice.
Neo-equity makes that 'can' a 'must' & acts unjustly to get desired results.
True equity says: Look closely & see if there's real unfairness. If there is, we must address it! But not by abandoning desert & forsaking justice. 10/
Neo-equity makes that 'can' a 'must' & acts unjustly to get desired results.
True equity says: Look closely & see if there's real unfairness. If there is, we must address it! But not by abandoning desert & forsaking justice. 10/
Call neo-equity what it is: a corruption of the right, a counterfeit virtue, a tool for doing injustice under cover of righteousness.
And *claim* justice & equity. They don't belong to those who abuse their names for personal gain & deploy destructive means for misguided ends. /
And *claim* justice & equity. They don't belong to those who abuse their names for personal gain & deploy destructive means for misguided ends. /
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