Equality Within Inequality
June 3rd, 2015
Thank you Dylan Field for the suggestion.
All of humanity has a commonality. No two persons are totally equal. We may share the same test score or go tit for tat in arm wrestling but there will always be something that sets us apart. No pair of identical twins are actually identical. Even cloning can’t conquer the inequality of men. So the one commonality or equality that we all have is inequality. To tackle a meaningful discussion and explore how inequality is actually a good thing I’ve enlisted the help of former sports writer and guest blogger James Harper.
I look at life through the lens of a sports journalist, and any time I’ve dealt with attempting new topics, I do it through sports. The idea of equality within inequality is discussed in the realm of sports on a regular basis. What era was better, which player? Through the comparisons we attempt to discern who is the greater athlete, which is the greatest sport?
One of my favorite comparisons is to juxtapose the careers of Earl Campbell and Barry Sanders. On the surface they are equal. Both all-time greats who were inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame when their respective careers were finished. However they are not truly equal, as in, they are not the same. Their running styles couldn’t have been more different. Campbell was a tank who bulldozed any would-be tacklers, while Sanders was quick and elusive.
Aside from the ascetic, their career statistics is where the inequality is more prevalent. In terms of history, again, they both are Hall of Famers. But one, Sanders, could be argued as the greatest of all time, while Campbell is “just” an all-time great. Sanders ran for 15269 yards and 99 touchdowns in 10 years with the Lions, while Campbell compiled 9407 yards and 74 touchdowns. The numbers alone can’t show the whole story. However, they do reveal that the two players are not equal despite being considered a couple of the great backs to ever tote the rock.
What made Sanders more “special”?
That’s less discernible, but what is important is the fact that inequality exists amongst all the NFL”s most hallowed names. This example is just a microcosm of the equality within inequality present in our society.
Thank you Harper
So “All men are created equal” is obviously a pile of horse manure. All men and women are created with equal rights rings in more true. I think Martin Luther King Jr. would agree as would our founding fathers. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to the pursuit of happiness and prosperity. Let folks be different. What makes them happy and prosperous may not be the same as what makes you happy. Until next time, keep your homes well.
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