Is It Always A Matter Of Choice - does choice hold a higher value than equality?

INTRODUCTION:

Before I begin tonight's topic, I am pleased to announce my new course, "The Key To Customer Service - what sets you apart?" is now available on the Udemy learning platform at an introductory price. Click on the image to see a preview and the course details. This course is ideal for the beginner or experienced brick-and-mortar retail store owner, manager, supervisor, team, or staff member. Should you decide to take the course, upon completion, you can print out a certificate of completion worthy of hanging on your wall. I hope you enjoy the course.

Now for tonight's topic. Alan from Texas has requested I talk about this topic since my opening statement in my promos states that controversial topics do not frighten me as they do others. The reason for that is simple. I deal with facts. Not opinions. The thing about facts is basic. You don't have to like them, but you cannot dispute them. The only disputable thing is opinions, and opinions are NOT facts. Tonight's topic may be viewed as sensitive by many. It is highly controversial and in no way is intended to insult or judge anyone. However, this topic has many ramifications and can change what we know and have labeled for years as 'traditional' in our society.

Change and progress are like pride. They are both difficult to swallow and do NOT go down easy. However, they are part of evolution. We don't have to like it, but we must accept it will occur. I think the word that bothers me the most is democracy. Democracy is probably the most important word in our American vocabulary.

It is also one of the words that people, governments, and organizations change the meaning of to suit their needs or beliefs. Democracy has one concept and one concept only. However, democracy is more than a definition. It is an ideal. A state of presence by which people decide to live by. Take a look:

It means “rule by the people” or “sovereignty of the people”. As a form of government, democracy has been practiced for over 2,500 years, though in different forms, such as direct democracy of the ancient Athenian citizens and representative government in modern times.

Within the word 'democracy' are many components. I will be discussing two of them in this post: CHOICE and EQUALITY.

Many people confuse the two words. As with other words, people twist their meanings to either mean the same or fit the narrative they use them for. When this occurs, we have the chaos in our society that we are experiencing today. Before I dive right in, let's clarify choice and equality.

CHOICE - is an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. Example: "The choice between good and evil"

EQUALITY - is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. Example: "An organization aiming to promote racial equality"

both courtesy of the Oxford Languages Dictionary

Let's get started.

CHOICE AND EQUALITY APPLICATIONS:

I respect every person's right to live as they choose. To live their life the way they choose, provided they have the mental capacity to make those choices. Often that is NOT the case.

Many times these are NOT issues of what is right or wrong. It is not an issue of right or wrong to be Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and all the other letters of the alphabet. These are a matter of choice. Often that is an involuntary choice due to the X and Y chromosomes in their DNA from birth. However, at times it is forced upon some due to sex trafficking and now becomes their way of life. However, that is a different topic. Those with a different X and Y chromosome base than someone solely male by chemical makeup or female based on chemical makeup are only following the signals sent to their brain. It is what they believe and feel. Why should they be treated differently? They should NOT. They should be treated equally. Their situation is not a matter of choice; it is a matter of their chemical design which is different than others. Therefore, choice and equality are NOT the same.

These are scientific facts and are not disputable. This has been occurring for decades, but only over the past many years have these individuals come forward to fight for their rights to be treated equally. And, rightfully so. They should be. However, that is NOT where the story ends.

The caveat to this is basic. As I have said many times, those of you who follow my blog know this is true. "NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE OR FORCE THEIR BELIEFS ON OTHERS." I am heterosexual. However, I have friends who are not. We respect how we each choose to live and NEVER impose or force our beliefs on each other. Therefore, there are no arguments or disputes. It is unfortunate, but some do not follow this simple principle. Hence, the social problems begin, and the issue of eq