Equality has had its day! Hail Inclusivity.....

After 10 years of more working in the field of Equalities I finally realise Equality in itself just doesn’t work. What we need is something more, something that we can all work towards. Perhaps the answer lies in inclusivity.

The problem with Equality is that in my view the need to want Equality leads us to thinking about one’s own needs. A lot of issue with Equality also relates to trying to work out which one has or requires precedence over one another. Whether religion is more important than sexuality. Is someone’s belief more important that then needs of society?

Just have a look at recent case law; the hijab at work, or disability needs on buses over those of the needs of mothers. Similarly, in the past there are other cases which all follow a similar pattern. If you actually read the case law reports relating to these cases instead of reading it in newspapers you'll find that in each case the courts had a difficult decision. But they made the right one on the balance of what’s good for society. The needs of society must come before an individual’s needs or beliefs. But is there another way? How about we turn this completely round. Why does the individual have to feel belittled or discriminated? Why not start with the principle of the greater good first.

All religions for example have a central truth espoused by the various religious leaders. “The golden rule “where the essence of treat others as you would like to be treated. This idea asks rather than asking for Equality we ourselves look to be more inclusive. There are many moralistic and religious stories that follow this thread of thinking. Be considerate and think of others rather than what I believe or what my needs are. Another example of this is looking at society using the social model. One that says nothing’s wrong with you, its society who needs to be accepting by building and thinking in an inclusive way.

In fact when you actually look at equality in itself and break it down, what we are trying to stop is discrimination. How is discrimination defined? Treating no one less favourable to others. Thus in itself where asking for a hierarchy. A recent report by the EHRC on discrimination states that to stop this from occurring or the best examples of what seems to stop discrimination and hate crime are those activities and programmes that involve inclusivity. Not where groups do things for themselves, or create things just for their own needs but making sure that they include all parts of the community and embraces all of society.

If people started with this thought in the first place making sure all of society is included regardless of their protected characteristics rather than developing process and procedures based on Equality or trying to change them around the needs of organisations and individuals we may indeed begin to see a dawn of real inclusion.