this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2024
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When you are privileged equality looks like a downgrade. (lemmy.ml)
submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

A great point! I feel like the overarching end goal is a meritocracy - people are rewarded for their talents and hard work. I'd wager most people agree with this goal.

The problem becomes disentangling history and circumstance from our ability to measure talent and hard work. The only way we know to break some social norms that hinder a true meritocracy is to unfairly manipulate the playing field in the short term, which in itself does not follow a meritocracy.

I think there are a few main obstacles:

  1. Perceived talent and hard work that was actually the result of circumstance - those that think the system is currently working and therefore their position is justified.
  2. Lack of acceptance that the goal is long term / generational. Those that are unwilling to accept a temporary 'manipulated meritocracy' in the short term that would allow a better one in the future.