Do we all have an equal opportunity?

Question

I'm interested in learning some opinions on this. Do you think sexual, racial, and gender biases have subsided enough for everyone to have an equal opportunity to succeed in today's world?

Answer 1

No we do not have equal opportunity until every one who is willing to do the work gets the same chance to do it. Whether it is education, or job, or other areas of life.

Sexual, racial and gender biases are strong and thriving, perhaps things are not so clearly defined as in the 19th century, or early 20th century, but still there. The biases and bigotries shift at times, either being a bit weaker, or changing in some small way but still there.

As long as the world can look at someone and make a judgement based on what is perception, and perspective rather than fact then there is going to be some kind of bias.

Whether it is based on sex, race, creed, country of origin, address, bank account, or dress size, societies do make choices and judgements based on those factors.

Two women go for a job, one is very attractive not really qualified. One is highly qualified, but while not unattractive not attractive either. The good looking one has a better chance at the job. A man and a woman go for a job, a man might get the job because he has a family to support. You argue that the woman has a family to support, then the person doing the hiring argues that is not good because if she is hired she will take time off because of her kids. Yet the same is not said of a man.

A man walks in wearing an ill fitting suit, looking a bit out of place another is comfortable in his own self, wearing a nice perhaps even obviously expensive suit, the man who is wearing the ill fitting suit gets the job because of race, even though he has little education or skills, the other man has the education and skills but his race is a factor.

A woman walks into a bar, she gets hit on whistles and has trouble getting the guys to leave her alone.

Same woman walked into the bar earlier her appearance was very different with the wig and makeup and dress she appeared to be elderly. She was left alone.

Same woman goes into same bar dressed as a nun and the bar tender finds out if she is lost or in trouble and tries to help her.

That example of the same woman in three guises in the same bar is fact it was an experiment a friend did for sociology paper.

Answer 2

First, ask yourself 'What is "equal opportunity"? and "What is it not?"
Is equal opportunity something forced on people by stupid laws about hiring minorities? Is it giving an unskilled laborer a job requiring special skills or education? Is it being forced to hire someone just because the "law" says you must have X% of Y kind of people? Is e.o. forced or given?
No. None of the above. Equal opportunity is out there for anybody. You can't sit around hoping a good job finds you. You have to go looking for opportunity and you have to be able to recognize it when it presents itself.
You also have a part in creating those opportunities by learning a skill or trade that might 'come easy' to you or you might have a 'natural aptitude' for something that others would have to learn.
Biases will never go away. But they can be overcome and "Give me a chance." is one way to start. But don't lie about your skills because you will be found out, and that can be very dangerous in that you could get hurt or fired. If you want something bad enough, go to it, it won't come to you.
It all starts with a good education. Success is like a ladder. Each step is knowledge, a continuous learning process that makes the next step easier. There is an old saying; "Don't strain! Get a crane!" Knowledge is that crane. Everybody has an equal chance to succeed. Or fail. It's all in your hands, not the laws or the governments.

Answer 3

I'm afraid they haven't yet. While some obvious forms of discrimination were done away with at the time of the civil rights movement in the 1960's, there still remains a lot of subtle, and often even unintentional discrimination.

The way our system is set up, wealth is transferred from one generation to the next. And since is race is also transferred from one generation to the next, we have a situation where poverty will persist among some peoples, even if obvious forms of discrimination are done away with.

Probably the best thing that marginalized populations can do at this point is build up a strong culture geared toward achievement. People often unfairly point to Asian Americans and say, "look how successful their culture is. Why can't all the other races in the U.S. have a strong, unified culture like they do and overcome discrimination?" Well that's just plain stupid because 1) African Americans did not exactly come here willingly and 2) Most Latinos did not immigrate into the United States, the borders just changed so that one day they were citizens of Mexico and the next they were in the U.S.

But back to my point about building a strong culture: Up until the 1950's, there really wasn't much unity among us Native Americans. And why should there be? We had 300 nations, each of them as distinct as say, Germany and France and England. But when we forged a single, Native American identity, we were able to make more demands and be treated more as equals (although admittedly we still have a long way to go).

So my short answer is "no" but my long answer is that if you want to gain equality you need to present a united front. By your avatar you appear to be African American, and so I would encourage you to be proud of your heritage without being arrogant, celebrate all the good that has come from your culture (and how appropriate it is that Black history month starts tomorrow), celebrate Kwanzaa as much as your religion will allow, and just plain be the best human being you can be.

Also, don’t be afraid to get educated. My people (the Navajos) were reluctant to get a “white man’s” education for many years, until we learned that getting educated is the best way to “stick it to the man”.

Answer 4

This is an excellent question. In my opinion, I think everybody has an equal opportunity. I do think that sex, race, gender and bias are still factors. So it would seem that people don't.

However, I think everybody has an equal opportunity, it's just a matter of how hard a person is willing to work. Just as in a foot race some people have trained harder and longer, but they all start out at the same point. Obviously reality doesn't work that way and that's sad, but if the ultimate goal is the same finish line I don't think it matters where you start as long as you finish.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, no. You don't have to look far on the forums and chatrooms and message boards to see that racism and sexism are stilll with us.

These attitudeas are less destructive than they once were--simply because the bigots have less power--and can only rarely act openly. But they are still doing a lot of damage.

Part of the reason is that they have been succcessful in blocking some reforms--and in recent years have actually turned the clock back in some respects. Here's one example: our public schools continue to be funded on a local basis. As a consequence, poor communiities--disproportunately black--have less money for education than more affluent areas-and consequently poorer schools. That ends any pretense of equal opportunity right there.

And inn the last few years we have supposed intervention to help schools with funding from the federal level--Bush's "No Child Left Behind" Sounds like a way of fixing the problem just mentioned, doesn't it? Only it doesn't--it is designed to increas teh gap in education, not decrease it (I'm talkinng about what it actually does, not the political rhetoric). Here's how it works: if a school is performing well, the NCLB provides additional money. And, of course, that's teh schools that are already in affluent areas (mainly white) and have the money to do well in the first place. And NCLB also CUTS funding to schools that aren't doing well--and of course, those are the schools in poorer areas--disproportionatlely black.

And Republicans wonder why African-Americans vote Democrat!

Answer 6

Not quite yet, but more fair than in any time in history.

The elite corporate world is still the good ole' white boys club. That will not change without some type of revolution. Women who fight for their place, and take no prisoners are doing extremely well in society. Nobody gives you anything when you rise above (male or female). It's survival of the fittest.

The largest segment of poor people in America is White. They have no benefit of affirmative action programs or minority scholarships and have the bleakest future. Most of these people are from rural areas with poorly performing school systems. They are a forgotten and unrecognized minority.

People of all races and sexes will go nowhere if they sit and take what is given them. Personal responsibility will open doors, demand respect and change minds. Bill Cosby is right! What will you do with the opportunity? Everyone!

Answer 7

They have not subsided at all.

If there was no racial bias, there would be no affirmative action...because affirmative action was created because some twit with a racial bias accused certain schools of having them.

If there was no gender bias, women would be in the workforce just as much as men. The fact that women mostly stay at home is because thats the "expectation" of society...who knows. w/e.

There is no such thing as equal opportunity...unfortunately it will never exist. There are too many apparent and sometimes unfortunate differences that cannot be ignored or helped. Thats just the way it is.

eh

Answer 8

No, I don't think sexual orientation or your race put you at a disadvantage as much as it did in the past. Statistically gender and your economic status as a child play larger roles. It has less to do with discrimination and more to do with money and resources. Children from low income families are disadvantaged because they lack opportunities given to kids from wealthier families. Unfortunately, women still make less than men in the same position. Also, women are disadvantaged because they take breaks from their careers to have children. Which can limited there ability to suceed.

Answer 9

NO WE ALL DO'NT HAVE THAT SAME EQUALITY. WE LIKE TO BELIEVE WE ALL HAVE THE SAME CHANCE IN LIFE. THIS SOCIETY IS TRYING AND WILL SUCCEED. BUT FOR NOW I DONT THINK SO. IT REALLY IS BROKEN DOWN INTO THE INDIVIDUAL. LIKE AND DISLIKES. BUT YOU KNOW, COME TO THINK ABOUT IT, THAT'S WHAT MAKE US HUMEN!

Answer 10

thats a joke it doesnt matter how much wishful thinking or lies the government fosters, a handful of gifted whites maintain and advance civilization.