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Equality: the quality or state of being equal.

Merriam-Webster

Well I’ll be dipped. I had no idea there were so many ways to define the word equal.

When choosing my final 8 core values, I went back and forth on including equality. My mind leapt to the first definition of the term: “of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another.” Mathematical and direct. It doesn’t matter what you need–everybody gets the exact same thing.

As someone who read the dictionary for fun as a kid, you’d think I would know better.

As I prepared to write this post, I found unexpected delight and relief at definition 1c: “like for each member of a group, class, or society.” Now that’s more like it! I was using the scientific definition in a social context. This alternate definition of equality frames the word in the context of people. This definition is the one in my heart, the one I truly value.

Humans weren’t created with a mold. We all have various experiences and identities that make us who we are. Some facets of our lives are outside of our control; others are chosen. Some make it easier for us to move through the world. Unfortunately, others cause challenges due to what they represent in society.

And that’s the part that needs to change.

The deepest desire of my heart is a world where everyone’s needs are met and people are cool with it. No one feels angry, or bitter, or resentful, or jealous–we all get what we need based on where we’re at in life. A world where we all understand that some of us need more and others need less. A world where we lift each other up so we call can thrive.