A Society Of Equality And Equity, Over Sorrow & the Pity

It came to me right after I thought of that catchy title.Actually I pondered that after I played guitar and daydreamed about a girl that I let get away. So I really took about a week now that I think of it. But I digress. Wow, I really digressed. Thanks ADHD!

Can an egalitarian mindset prevail today Nape? Man, if I had a nickel for every time somebody has asked me that, or all the times I pondered that question in solitude...I would have 5 cents exactly. Surprisingly, of all the meandering spittle that has wound it's way through my brain, that train of thought hadn't left the station until today.

Egalitarianism ( French, meaning "equal") is a way of thinking that favors equality all among living entities. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that equality contains the idea of equity of quality.

That is, all people should be treated with the same level of dignity or respect. We are all regarded with the same intrinsic qualities; despite our societal diversity of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.

Not only does this sound good and right and groovy, it makes sense right? Basically it's kicking up the old,"Treat others the way you want to be treated." Of course we all want to be well treated. So if everybody follows the one rule of good treatment to others, all of us will be treated equally.

As many different races, religions, ages, colors, etc that there are; there are as many personality types and intelligence levels as well. So even if everybody(100%) had the good intention of living this Egalitarian existence, some people will not get back what they are giving. For example, you and your partner live next a poor elderly couple. They aren't that smart at all, and they are also poor. You bake food for them, offer to do yard work, give them nice presents, and so on. They are friendly to you, and say "Thanks," but that's the extent of what they have to offer. But it is 100% effort for them.

Herein lies the problem: Your 100% effort, is far superior to their 100% effort. Hopefully being the wise, loving, and understanding Egalitarian; you reason that this will equal out somehow and you keep with the plan. What if it doesn't? What if you are going around, treating everybody the same, but you feel the whole thing is inequitable? So you aren't as fair. You let some old prejudices come into the fold. Maybe you are downright mean to someone because you feel slighted with this whole equity of quality? Then that person doesn't feel like doing his part at work because you are his boss. The whole Butterfly Effect kicks in, and a year later nobody talks to anybody. People start taking sides, and eventually group into clans based on similarities; instead of the idea of, "One for all." Back to the drawing board...

This idea has worked before. Actually right here in America. From the birth of our nation when pilgrims came from Great Britain, until we became industrialized and populated.Think about it. The first American's had a common goal to work for, and had the same background in common. They were Egalitarians without trying.

What also helped was the relative low population. With tribes and small enclaves of people, it is far easier to treat everyone the same, because they really are similar. Think of your family. You all probably go to the same church, are the same race, similar education, and so on. Now stretch it out to the street you live on. There are a few differences, but you are all in the same range on most things. Now widen out to whole town. There may be a "poor" section. Perhaps a "black" area, whatever. The bigger a group gets, the more chances that group has of developing different features. Simply put, a sample size of 2, has a greater probability of being similar, than a sample size of 20,000 right?

I'm am simply going to shift the focus from an unrealistic idea of worldwide equality, to one of neighborhood neighborliness. (Neighborliness is a word, cause Spellchecker didn't tag it . ) Slap the blinders on when you are in you little hood, and focus on equality. Most of us see the differences in people right away; quite frankly it's easier. Differences are more pronounced and in your face.

We seem to take any similarities for granted. Try and find the similarities with your neighbor by talking with him. Really block those negative thoughts like, "Oh he's a rich S.O.B. What does he know." Start with the premise: we are both human, we both need to eat and drink, and will be dead within 50 years. Then go from there.

Neighborhoods make towns, towns make counties, counties make states...What you cannot make perfect, you can make better. Even if one person's life is better because you treated him equally, your life too is better due to your own act of kindness.