Episode #123 Everyone Is Equal

Nine Problems

• “Everyone is equal” is often misused in a way that minimizes or even rejects the realities of widespread inequality.
• Actions that do not align with beliefs are evidence of blind spots in our perspectives.
• Although every human being is of infinite and equal value, not every human being has equal opportunity in this world.
• African American men in the United States receive harsher sentences than white men convicted of the same crime.
• We tend to interpret reality through the lens of our own experiences, and we believe our own interpretation is more accurate than others’ interpretations.
• Blind spots don’t make us bad, but they do make us blind.
• Changing our mind is so difficult because it requires the humility to acknowledge we were wrong.
• The belief that there is not nearly enough to go around is detrimental to a lifestyle devoted to the pursuit of equality.
• Anger and fear shape our worldview so much more than we would like to admit.

Five Principles

• Commitment to equality is only as strong as the choices that back it up.
• Awareness of inequality may begin with a feeling of guilt, but it should not end there.
• We cannot be blind once we begin to look around.
• The belief that everyone is equal naturally cultivates the desire to level the playing field.
• The pie always expands to the size of our generosity.

Three Practices

• Approach every day with the belief that there are a variety of blind spots in your vision.
• Familiarize yourself with the indisputable statistics about educational and economic inequity in the United States.
• Consider the question, “What is keeping me from becoming more engaged in the fight for justice and equality?”