All Things Being Equal. - Do the rules get bent?
INTRODUCTION:
Greetings to all. Thanks again to Dean Burgess for a great blog post last week. But now, let's talk about how far society pushing the words EQUALITY, EQUAL, and FAIRNESS. Or are we? When any two things are compared to determine equality, the playing field must be the same. For example, you might say an apple and an orange are equal as they are both fruits. However, they are not equal. As the saying goes, you are not comparing apples to apples. In this post, we will take a look at equality and fairness. However, before I begin, understand this is a post about the facts. Facts or truth, opinions bend the truth.
In addition, I am sure I will repeat myself throughout this post to dismiss any misunderstandings.
I fully support an individual's right to choose who they want to be and openly display who they are without discrimination.
EQUALITY:
Equality has turned into a dirty word in society. Why? Because people INSIST on having equality regardless of the comparison. The basics of equality are simple. All people need to be treated as equals, which means equally. Any woman who is qualified for a job traditionally held by a man and cannot get that job is not considered equal. Regardless of race, color, gender, or creed, if qualified, should be considered for any position. PERIOD!
The playing field is equal because they are all qualified for the position they are applying for. It is people that cause things NOT to be equal. But in today's society, it goes deeper than that. In today's world, with the various types of genders and what some wish to be called by virtue of their gender, name, likes, or dislikes, makes the playing field is not equal in most cases.
Equality, like other words, is often a perception of the person using the word or words based on their interpretation of equality. That perception can vary amongst people. Therefore, I think it is safe to say that the word EQUALITY is pushed past the limits of its definition.
SOME FACTS:
We all remember during the hearing for Judge Jackson as a Supreme Court nominee, she was unable to answer what on the surface, seemed to be an easy question to answer. "What is a woman?" Of course, almost everyone will point out the human physical differences between a man and a woman to answer the question. However, is that even accurate anymore? Now someone can call themselves a man or a woman, and that's what they are. Regardless of the bodily organs, they possess. They can be Debbie one day, David the next, and Sue by the end of the week. This creates much confusion, and most steer away from the topic not to be forced to state their opinion for fear of being called discriminatory or a racist. Therefore, was she totally wrong by saying she wasn't a biologist and could not answer that question? No matter how she responded to that question, she would be offending someone and could appear to be biassed towards one sex or the other. In fact, it was the smartest political move she could choose. However, was it the best choice for a judge who may have to rule on this topic one day in court?.
The days of a man having a penis and being a man, and a woman having a vagina and being a woman are gone. For the most part, I don't care what bodily organs a person has and chooses what they wish to be called. That is their right. However, it is NOT equal in the pure sense of the definition, and this is where the word is pushed to its limits.
Science tells us that men and women have practically the same set of about 20,000 genes. The only physical difference in their genetic makeup is in the sex chromosomes.
Only males have a "Y" chromosome. Although the "X" chromosome is present in both sexes, there are two copies in females and only one in males. Numerous articles have been written about why women have a genetic advantage over men and where men have a genetic advantage over women as well as a physical advantage. To avoid getting too technical, these chromosomes, which make up our genetic DNA, affect our size, strength, and other characteristics about us. Here is a GREAT article to read.
Therefore, I ask you. Is it fair to allow men, by their genetic makeup and DNA, when they have a clear advantage over women in strength, to compete in women's sports just because now they wish to call themselves a woman? This certainly does not bring the emotional factor into the equation. Again I state, that it is a person's right to choose, but when they choose, they must understand their choice may come with limitations.
Here is where it gets more sticky. When the male ends up through genetics to have many "Y" Chromosomes to the point that they have predominant female tendencies, they may choose to call themselves a woman. However, they still have the genetic characteristics of a man. Now we are no longer comparing apples to apples. At this point, this becomes bending or stretching the meaning of the words EQUAL or EQUALITY. We have all seen recent examples of this through NCAA woman's swimming. Once again, the problem is the people, NOT the words. There are also disease processes that cause this genetic imbalance. This certainly can become a more complex issue.
With all this said, at the same time, many felt that when Judge Jackson could not answer that question, that was a bad thing. What if it was a smart thing? What if she intended to make the attorneys make their case and then make a ruling. I disagree with her lax sentencing of child porn offenders. However, at the same time, I must be fair in evaluating all her answers and the reasons behind them. Keep in mind, when a person is being interviewed, or even you for that matter, by nature, people want to give the interviewer the answers they know they want to hear. With a trick question where you can not provide a right and wrong answer, meaning, you cannot please everyone, what do you do? This brings us to equal vs. fairness.
EQUALITY vs. FAIRNESS:
Do you believe they are the same? If you do, you are incorrect? A man who wishes to be considered a woman can bench presence 500 lbs. His genetic make might make that possible. Should he be able to enter a woman's weight lifting completion where her genetics would not allow for that type of strength? It no longer becomes a matter of equality because it is not equal. The playing field is NOT the same. This becomes a matter of fairness. You would not be being fair to the female competitors. However, if we refused to accept this male weightlifter as his gender choice of a woman, that would be an issue of equality. Therefore, I present to you that these words are bent, twisted, and stretched for personal benefits. NOT society benefits and indeed not equality.
There is a vast difference between equality and fairness, and that line needs to be drawn in the sand and not crossed. This is where science, as much as some despise it, can make it quite clear whether these competitions are fair to all competitors. Life is somewhat different. How a person chooses to act, present themselves, or wish to be addressed is their choice, and based on that choice, be treated equally.
When I was a firefighter and a woman starting to enter the fire service, there were serious concerns about whether they could do the job. It is extremely physically demanding, as the lives of your fellow firefighters and the public depend on a person's ability to perform the tasks at hand. I met some outstanding female firefighters that I would trust with my life during my career. No particular circumstances got them on the job. They had to earn that position. Some did, others did not. That is being equal and fair.
IN CLOSING:
I fear our society is getting carried away with the meanings of many words. Equality and fairness or only two. The work that gets thrown around the most and used for almost every type of personal gain is "RACIST." That is the get out of jail free word. Like most of these of types words, they cause confusion, hatred, and social unrest. Especially in our legal system. Anything in life can be taken to its extremes, and yes, some issues do need to have the envelope pushed. Others do not. The trick is deciding which do and which do not. In most cases, common sense should prevail. We live in a society where many want to jump on the bandwagon. They really do not have a cause, or even support one. They only want to be a part of it. Regardless of what it is. This adds more insult to injury versus providing something constructive and positive to the conversation.
Science doesn't lie. People do. The actual science is factual and cannot be disputed unless proven incorrect. In the case of "X" and "Y" Chromosomes, DNA, and Genetics, it hasn't changed in centuries besides the fact that we are learning more and more each day. In addition, most organizations are concerned with lawsuits, being boycotted by certain groups, etc. Gender and how some people wished to be considered or called, is rapidly changing. More people are speaking out. That is a positive thing because done correctly, it leads to positive change and awareness. However, it is NOT something that should be used and abused for personal gain. Please feel free to leave your comments since they are all welcome.
Whenever we are talking about equality and fairness, the playing field MUST be the same. If it is not, then things will never be fair and equal. That is a fact. Not an opinion. Once again, the problem lies with people and their lack of willingness to take a stand and be fair and equal and NOT worry about being criticized.
Now ask yourself these questions.
When should we bend, break, or stretch the rules?
When we do this, is it fair and equal to all?
When should basic common sense prevail?
Who are you trying to please?
Who is trying to gain something? Politically or personally?
Important questions to consider because most individuals DO NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY HAVE A MOTIVE, AN AGENDA, OR SOMETHING TO GAIN, and in most cases, it has nothing to do with equality and fairness.
Stay safe, be happy, and be well,
Caesar Rondina
VIDEO PRODUCTION WORK:
We produce video book trailers, business ads, and speaker introductions.
You can subscribe to receive an email notification when a blog is posted by clicking this link. SUBSCRIBE. We do not share or sell your email.
