MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Equality. For or Against It?

Equality. For or Against It?

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
29 replies | jump to latest

Personally, I'm for it.

Many of you seem to be against it.

Many of you appear to support supremacy, whether it's white supremacy, black supremacy, female supremacy or male supremacy.

Personally, I believe in equality for all those groups.

Many of you seem to support systems of capitalism, authoritarianism, liberal democracy or socialism, but very few of you seem to support true egalitarianism.

But until we get to the day where every human-being is valued and elitism ends, we will continue to see war, racism, bigotry, hatred, terrorism, and abuse.

However, it has to be voluntary. It can't be imposed by a new Pol Pot or a real-life Thanos. We all need to commit to valuing every human life, as equally as possible.

[–] Flips (17) 5 years ago

Equality is easier said than done.

I care more about the actions instead of a simple question of "for or against". Of course no one wants to be discriminated, who ever they are.

But humans are flawed. I don't believe in anything idealistic (ones who are trying to spread that are either hypocrites or lying to themselves).

Changing the little things you do in life is enough (depends on who you are and what kind of people are around you), rather than shouting slogans.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I agree that 'actions speak louder than words', but it amazes me how many people don't believe in equality even as a concept. Some of these people identify with the political left.

I've now come to realise that not all socialists and social-democrats support egalitarianism, as I do. Some of them are elites who simply support a bigger state even if that bigger state sees more money flowing up from the middle classes to the very rich.

[–] Stratego (29279) 5 years ago

"Many of you seem to be against it.

Many of you appear to support supremacy"

I think you're dead wrong. Most of us by far seem to support true equality, which means no special treatment based on race, gender, etc.

[–] samoanjoes (51161) 5 years ago

Malkovich said "many", not "most". The many people are causing the big problem.

[–] Stratego (29279) 5 years ago

I said "most of us by far", which doesn't leave that "many". Who are these "many" he's talking about???

[–] samoanjoes (51161) 5 years ago

I know you said most of us but it seemed like you were implying that "many" and "most" were the same thing.

[–] Stratego (29279) 5 years ago

No, just implying that I don't think there are "many", just "some".

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Thanks samoanjoes.

You're right. I wasn't damning the majority. Just a large contingent of the minority.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Bear in mind that the many I'm talking about include people on the far right and the far left, and even a good few from the centre.

[–] Stratego (29279) 5 years ago

Yes. So?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I wanted to make it clear, just in case you thought I was being partisan.

[–] Stratego (29279) 5 years ago

Don't worry, I actually read your entire post, believe it or not.

[–] HushPuppy (142) 5 years ago

Why did you mention race, gender, etc... but not class? You left out the only one that really matters!

[–] Stratego (29279) 5 years ago

Because that's what the OP mentioned. You can always imagine that "etc." includes class...

[–] samoanjoes (51161) 5 years ago

I have never said that I'm proud to be white. It's sounds weird. I didn't ask for it. Oddly enough if someone black says that they're proud to be black, I think, "that's cool". But it really shouldn't be that way. We should all be happy with who we are. Saying that you're proud to be white is just that. Proud. You're not putting your race over anyone else's and yet somehow I feel it's worse when a white person says it. "White power" is a different story because of its association being used with the KKK. I definitely wouldn't say "white power".

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

At the end of the day, we all originated from Africa.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

100% agreed samoanjoes.

I understand why 'black power' exists in view of centuries of systemic racism, but I long for the day when no-one will say "I'm proud to be black" or "I'm proud to be white", or "I'm proud to be a man" or "I'm proud to be a woman", but will instead focus on their own personal achievements and attributes.

I didn't choose to be a man. I didn't choose to be white. I didn't choose to be half-Portugeuse. And I didn't choose yo be born in Britain. So why would I be 'proud' of any of those things? They weren't my 'achievements'.

[–] samoanjoes (51161) 5 years ago

I've always considered myself to be
happy instead of proud. I'm happy I wasn't born in a third world or war torn country. I'm happy with not having a deadly disease like cancer or AIDS. I'm happy both of my parents are still alive. I can't really be proud of any of those things. They weren't earned, it was all fluke. We are all privileged in some form or another.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I believe in equality for all.

[–] HushPuppy (142) 5 years ago

Then you don't believe in rape. You can't discriminate who can have sex with whom.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

No-one has the right to anyone else's body.

We need to educate people so they understand and accept that.

But the thing is, if the world was more equal, as I envision it to be, there would be less elitism, less discrimination, and people wouldn't be so choosy, as is admittedly their right, as to who they do and do not sleep with.

If we get rid of elitism and the hierarchy, no-one will be saying "I'm not sleeping with x, because they're not attractive as y" since x and y will be equally as attractive.

For example, if we get rid of the stigma surrounding height, a person will be as happy to sleep with a short person as they would a tall person, and I use that example as a man who is 6'0" and thus has no issues with my height.

[–] AndyKing1967 (34094) 5 years ago

I’m all for treating people with equal respect and manners, but it’s very difficult for everyone to be equal. Aldous Huxley wrote about this in Brave New World (one of my favourite books).

To put it flippantly, somebody has to clean the toilets, right?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Robots can clean the toilets. Why build robots to do the best jobs? We should be making them do the worst jobs that no human wants. And instead putting more humans in good jobs.

And I love Brave New World. It's a brilliant indictment on the ultimate caste system.

[–] AndyKing1967 (34094) 5 years ago

Yes they can (plus a whole load of other things if you go to Japan). Unfortunately, I don’t think the human race is ready for true equality just yet.

[–] HushPuppy (142) 5 years ago

Equality isn't something you can be for or against. People aren't equal. That's just a fact of nature. Have you ever read the short story Harrison Bergeron?

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Yes, I've read it, and I am a fan of Kurt Vonnegut.

I'm not an ignoramus, just because I am anti-elitism/for the masses, you know?

Still, as interesting as I find the story/concept, I think a world without envy, a world without resentment, a world in which every person feels valued, is far, far better than the alternative?

And who gets to decide who is superior and who isn't, in this utopian world of elites? Adam Smith's Invisible Hand of the Market? Screw that bullshit!

And yes, people are equal. We just choose not to treat them as equal. But as long as we continue deciding to treat people differently, they'll continue to be sexism, they'll continue to be racism, they'll continue to be ethnic bigotry, and so on.

But by taking my stance: zero tolerance to all forms of supremacy, we end that completely.

It's a straight choice. One or the other. No half measures or 'third ways'. I know which side I'm on.

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

Why would anyone be against equality? But it does exist unfortunately especially in middle eastern countries where women are treated like crap. It's not a perfect world, but desiring equality is a step into reality.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 5 years ago

For it of course.

😎