Social equality, the indispensable trait of an ideal society, is still far from becoming a reality in many locations, and our region is no exception. While significant achievements have been made in a short period, embedded disparities and injustices are still found, making the idea of equal opportunity being fulfilled into a mere reality a far-fetched dream. For complete equality, we need to expose these ingrained tips by bringing their reforms, cultural changes, and communal actions together.
From ancient times, those repressed groups have endured blows and fought explicitly to achieve freedom and equality. From the civil rights of the ’60s to the LGBTQ+ rights now, it takes bravery to oppose unequal laws or inappropriate society norms and start the process of progress (Michelle). Although the era of age-old oppression has passed and the era of interracism has finally set in, the legacy of centuries of oppression continues to have its footprints in our institutions, which fuel inequality.
Structural factors are a major challenge to equal rights, and correcting these is critical in policymaking. These economic equality principles unfold through progressive taxation and investments in education or social programmes. Added to the list is the change in the criminal justice system, health care, and housing to help the vulnerable affected more than others (Anderson). To illustrate, eliminating discriminatory techniques, for example, racial profiling, is one of the ways of mitigating mistrust between the community and law enforcement agencies.
Also, measures that include affirmative action programs and diversity arrangements are fundamental for creating performances and levelling the situation in education and employment (Michelle). When we target people from marginalized backgrounds and provide resources to facilitate their integration, we get institutions that appreciate diversity, which is a close impersonation of the entire society.
Social equality not only depends on fighting against rooted prejudices and biases that act as a force of discrimination, but it also requires overcoming these thinking patterns. Education is an essential factor in increasing compassion and a capacity to understand diversity (Anderson). By representing diverse curricula and health discussions related to social stereotypes, we can combat ignorance and intolerance from an early age.
Aside from that, media portrayal and cultural icons are essential to impairing or reinforcing public opinion on an issue at hand. The power of media is well illustrated by the fact that it can offer a platform for diverse voices, thereby helping to shatter old stereotypes and replace them with favourable portrayals of the underprivileged (Michelle). Cultural activism campaigns of #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have already been sparking vital discussions and pressing for greater accountability and social revolution.
The pursuit of real gender equality needs the unity and association of the concerned communities and diverse groups to achieve the ultimate goal. Grassroots mobilizations and advocacy groups work as drivers of issues, bridge-builders, and delegates to hold institutions accountable for their actions (Anderson). Through marches, nonviolent resistance, and petitions designed to force the legislators, everyday citizens can make governments accountable and work towards a more humane society.
In conclusion, comprehensive measures for society to attain equality should be fostered by these three areas, namely policy reforms, cultural transformation and collective action, that tackle the root causes of societal injustices. Although the gains may be small and tedious, we have seen throughout the past that the masses can rise to demand change for the betterment of all humankind. By still developing a system thatthat ensures that inequality will descend in all its shades, we can construct a more just and tolerant society from generation to generation.
Works Cited
Anderson, Carol. White rage: The unspoken truth of our racial divide. Bloomsbury Publishing USA, 2016.
Michelle, Alexander. “The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness.” (2010): 14.
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