Last week, I began a blog series on DEIB – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

Given the politicalization of diversity leading to many gross misunderstandings, I started with “Why Fear DEIB? It Includes Everyone! Part 1.” The concluding statement I made was:

Diversity is not something to be afraid of or demonize. If we remember that every single person is part of the diversity story and hence has something special to bring to the table, we could leverage diversity to build a better organization, a better community and a better world.

In this post I will share what equity is and how it is different from equality … and I will use the illustration at the top of this blog to explain.

In the top half of the graphic, all the four people are being treated equally; they are all provided the same bicycle. But that bicycle does not work for the person with a disability, the very tall person, nor the very small person.

In the bottom half of the graphic, the four people are each given the optimal bicycle that works for them. They are being treated EQUITABLY.

One definition of EQUITY is:

Fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people, while identifying and shifting power structures, eliminating systemic barriers, and providing needed resources to ensure the full agency, participation, and benefit of people who have experienced discrimination and oppression.

And this is one definition of EQUALITY:

The state of being considered inherently the same worth and accorded the same status, rights, resources, and opportunities, regardless of unique identities and characteristics.

Yes, all people should be treated with equal respect and of equal worth, but that does not mean it works to treat all people exactly the same.

In the bicycle graphic, the four people at the bottom half of the graphic are provided a bicycle that provides them full access to riding, and addresses the physical barriers they have. That is equity.

Some people mislabel equity as giving people unfair advantage. But what is unfair with allowing every single person who wants to ride a bicycle to have one that works for them? The idea behind equity is to provide each single person the tools that they need to be their very best selves and contribute their maximum to the good of an organization and society. Why would we want to leave anyone behind and hinder them from becoming their best selves?