What is the difference between treating people equally and fairly?

When you are talking about the difference between Equality
and Fairness, what you are really talking about is Equality vs. Equity.  Fairness is a
relative term that is defined by the individual, whereas Equity has been recognized by
governmental and educational institutions as a means of upholding the 14th
Amendment.

Let me explain:
 

Equality means sameness.  Under equality, every person
gets exactly the same thing regardless of whether it is needed or not.  Equality only
works if everyone starts from the same place.  

Equity on
the other hand means "Fairness."  Under equity, everyone has access to the same
opportunities.   Equity must be established before Equality can be
obtained.

(I am attaching an image that I use in my class
to visually represent the difference between the two. *citation below)  Notice in the
picture, Equality is providing the same sized box for each child regardless of whether
the child needs it or not.  The tallest child does not need the box thus it is a waste
of resources.  The smallest child is not receiving enough support, so he is being
under-served.  The irony of equality is that when true equality is given equal
opportunity is not always received.    

In the
illustration, equity provides boxes for the students that need it to obtain the goal of
watching the game.  With these added resources, all three children are able to view the
baseball game with equal access.  The tallest child however did not receive any
accommodations; however, he was able to accomplish the goal without the needed support.
 The smallest child had to receive more accommodations than the middle child did.  This
does not mean he received preferential treatment, because the goal is Equity rather than
Equality.  The smallest child simply needed more help to achieve the same end as the
other two children.  

In the United States, the goal is
equality; however, some citizens need more support than others.  For example: Immigrants
coming into the United States may not speak English fluently; however, the United States
grants immigrants the opportunity to become citizens of the United States regardless of
their fluency in English.  This establishes the goal of
Equality for all potential citizens going through the naturalization process.  However,
if the United States government were to use equality in the naturalization process,
every candidate would receive an interpreter to read all of the documentation for them
as they completed the process.  This would include those candidates who read, write, and
speak English fluently.  In addition, in order to achieve equality every candidate would
receive exactly the same amount of time with the interpreter- No more and no less.  Both
of these examples have the potential to create a state of inequality rather than
achieving equality.

Because the United States is Equitable,
people who need an interpreter during the naturalization process receive one, while
those who do not are allowed to opt out.  Those candidates that have a greater knowledge
of the English language may not need the interpreter except to answer a few questions,
while those who have very little skill speaking English may need the interpreter's help
throughout the entire process.  Under Equity, every candidate for citizenship achieves
Equality in their opportunity to become a citizen of the United States.  By offering
equitable resources through laws and support agencies the United States can better
approach the goal of true equality.  

*Equity image credit:
Please note, this image was adapted from an image adapted by the City of Portland,
Oregon, Office of Equity and Human Rights from the
original graphic:
http://indianfunnypicture.com/img/2013/01/Equality-Doesnt-Means-Justice-Facebook-Pics.jpg

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