is equal society desirable/ possible?Tuesday, March 13, 2007
I was momentarily thrown back when I encountered this "powerful" question in a book, which I just finished recently. The book, Checkmate written by Malorie Blackman, was a thrilling twist of hatred, violence, inequality, discrimination, of hope and love, all captured in a fascinating plot that holds the attention of the reader in a vice-like grip. The most attractive feature of this book is that it sets the brain into thinking, as readers can't help but to compare this mind-gripping story with reality as we search for the answers to racial discrimination.
Set in the middle of the plot, a classroom debate about whether an equal society is desireable and/or possible was one of the many thought-provoking questions, raised by the author. Many would the make the fatal mistake of taking equality as being the same, which one of the characters prominently pointed out. An equal society does not equate to individuals having similar characteristics, religion, or values;having no differences. An equal society is about "equal opportunities, equal choices and equal treatment."
After some quiet reflection, I cannot help but notice the effect of differences on notions of equality. Because of the differences that exist within individuals, it inevitably drives a wedge between people, allowing rooms for comparisons. When cetain groups of people cannot tolerate diversity, such differences become the source of discrimination and inequality. It does not matter whether such differences are distinct or subtle, so long as there is asymmetry, there will always be injustice and unfairness. This brings us to the point of the possibility of an equal society. It is technically impossible to remove all differences from the society (God forbids that!) and therefore we must live to accept the fact that differences are here to stay. The real issue then is to increase the tolerance of diversity, and embrace this difference, instead of viewing them as a separate identity.
There is no doubt whether equal society is desireable, unless the question is being posed to one that is reaping the benefits of existing inequality. What about equal society being possible? For some, it may be an idealistic notion, an idea that is too far-fetched; good to see from afar, but difficult to achieve. Hmmph. The onus is on us to make it possible.
