Author: Michael Tino

Equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances.

How have you experienced making adjustments for systemic imbalances?

“Even if you are a person who wants to say, “Well, I didn’t participate in making things this way,” if you are benefiting from the ill-gotten gains, then you have some responsibility to make things right—especially if you then turn around and say that you believe in justice and equity. You are not let off the hook, no matter what.” -Takiyah Nur Amin, from her reflection, “The Call of Our Faith”

What does it mean to you to not be let off the hook for the work of justice and equity?

Equity is ensuring that each person who wants to be part of a community has what they need to be whole and free. That they don’t have to expend energy to ‘make it work’ or struggle through, they can just show up and thrive. -JeKaren Olaoya (CLF)

What would be necessary for you to “show up and thrive?”

As I’ve engaged in the work of leading programs that highlight equity, I’ve noticed that people with privilege confuse equity with equality and they are not the same. In order to achieve equity in the world, we need to center the needs of those most impacted by oppression. Give people what they need to thrive and this will be different for everyone. Giving everyone the same thing does not result in equity. Equity means people who need more (money, access, healthcare) will receive it in order to thrive. -Aisha Hauser (CLF)

How do you understand the difference between equity and equality in your life?

How do we draw the circle of who is included wider and wider? How do we marvel at the beautiful diversity that is revealed when all of us can share the center instead of anyone being pushed to the margins?

How have you widened the circle of your community?