How do we define equity
Let’s get right in to it! The dictionary definition of equity (n)
the quality of being fair and impartial; just, justice, fairness
the value of the shares issued by a company
But what does fairness, being impartial or the value of having a piece of the pie have to do with race? When we speak about equity as intervention or shift to address the impacts of racism or other forms of oppression we have to understand the intent behind those social constructs.
The purpose of developing “race”, designed to hoard power and privilege those who are White and/or obtain whiteness, is nothing if not unfair. The long and short game ensures that people who are not White or are unable to obtain Whiteness are not able to gain shares in or benefit from the world around them. Some popular examples of this are:
Red-lining and segregation in modern terms can look like classroom or team placement
Preference for White or low-tolerance for non-White cultural values, practices and narratives
Unrequited fear or prejudice towards non-White groups (anti-Blackness) and other forms of bias, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia to name a few