Inequality originates from a divide or separation between people as different members of society. Before one is able to develop their own specific personality, they are already given an ascribed status. For example, if you are a white male from an upper-class family you are already distinguished as unequal to someone who is perhaps a lower-class African American individual. Society seeks for equality but there is so much about us that completely stops us from truly feeling equal.
Society’s idea of equality is that everyone has a right to vote, everyone has the same resources as everyone else, and that everyone is treated equally. Imagine if society reaches its goals of equality. Will everyone actually see other people as equal or will the population just treat everyone equally because of the laws that have been passed to enforce it? In my opinion, the only way to reach true societal equality is if there were no ascribed statuses that are immediately given to you after birth. This seems quite impossible since, as humans, we are able to see people’s appearances and distinguish differences based on those.
Even though my solution to true equality is quite impossible, Navajo traditions show a step closer to the removal of ascribed status in gender. Their traditions are remarkable to say the least – their idea of gender not as a divide between people but as a spectrum, is an amazing way to break down the walls between gender discrimination. The festival wherein all the males and females of the village exchange clothing really expresses the culture’s idea that there should not be such a difference between men and women. Cultures like these give me hope that society will successfully end discrimination based on our differences.
