“Equality” Vs. “Equity” Twitter Debate Occurs After A Motoring Organization Revealed That They Don’t Prioritize Lone Women Over Men
It’s a fact that our society continues to deal with multiple issues regarding the equality and comfortability of the people. Nowadays, we’re strenuously trying our best to fix what’s been broken for what seems like an eternity, but changing the viewpoint of thousands or even millions of people requires hard work and effort.
For women, it’s been a rocky road, at the very least. Constantly proving our significance and fighting for equal opportunities, but instead getting laughed at in our faces and men pulling the “well, you wanted equality” card, when the only laughable thing is their understanding of equity.
A thought-provoking incident occurred with a woman from Bristol, UK, when she had to call a company due to her car breaking down in the middle of the night. The original tweet received nearly 4K likes and a fiery discussion where folks shared their opinions regarding the situation.
More info: Twitter
People are questioning this company’s reply regarding a car breakdown
Image credits: Andrew Bone
The story divided the people into two camps, where folks attempted to understand which side of the conflict was more reasonable. Some agreed with the company, as they didn’t seem to do anything wrong – others supported the OP in every way.
This motoring organization refused to prioritize a lone woman and blamed it on equality
Image credits: _HelenMott_
A woman decided to use Twitter to share her nighttime encounter with AA, a British motoring association. The OP expressed that she was displeased with the way the company handled her situation, as once she called to report the issue, the call handler let her know that they don’t prioritize lone women as everyone is equal.
Image credits: _HelenMott_
Image credits: _HelenMott_
Image credits: _HelenMott_
The OP was highly disappointed to hear such things, as she believes that refusing to prioritise lone female drivers is not a sign of equality. She revealed that waiting for over an hour, god-knows-where, especially during the night is far scarier for a woman than for a man.
In the end, someone from the AA managed to successfully sort the woman’s problem out and get her home completely safe. However, this event provoked some customers into questioning whether they want to contribute to a company that follows such values.
Image credits: _HelenMott_
Image credits: TheAA_UK
Image credits: TheAA_UK
The AA ended up replying to the woman’s concerns reassuring her that, yes, they don’t prioritize based on gender—however, they do take into consideration the locations and the risks of the situations. The company also mentioned that they haven’t messed with their vulnerable customer policies and that essentially they prioritize everyone who is in danger.
Image credits: AAPresident
Image credits: TheAA_UK
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The head of AA also didn’t miss his chance to reply to the woman’s thread. Edmund King quoted one of the laws that stated how it’s illegal for anyone who’s providing services or goods to discriminate. He followed it up by confirming the AA’s previous tweet and promised the OP and their other customers that they assess the situations and help everyone in a timely fashion.
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Image credits: deborahmsamuel
Image credits: TheAA_UK
Unarguably, women continue to be the number one targets for all kinds of assaults and our fear is very reasonable. Therefore, it’s understandable why the AA’s customers are disappointed with them mentioning equality when the initial issue arose due to a woman feeling unsafe. And since they advocate for helping those who are at risk, why did their response feel rather bitter?
What do you think about this situation? Do you think that the OP might’ve overreacted or maybe that both parties worded their concerns/responses in a misleading manner?
Fellow online users had a wide array of opinions
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The point the AA are trying to make is a completely valid one. She is not automatically top priority because she is a woman, but that does not mean she will not be top priority as it's based on risk and call outs at that time. If it's a choice between a woman who breaks down alone in the middle of nowhere, a family who's car won't start while they were visiting a relative, and a man who broke down outside his work, she would be top priority as she is the most at risk. Equally, if she has broken down 5 minutes walk from home, and a man is stranded on the side of the motorway, he should be the priority. It's about looking at individual circumstances at the time, rather than a tick box to say who gets priority.
Did people miss the party where the company explained it was illegal to prioritize based on sex, it did I misunderstand something? They were trying to give everyone the magic words, if the person mentions reasons to be concerned for their safety. The lady has no idea who was being prioritized over her. A guy with a serious medical condition or something stabbed in the middle of nowhere should take priority over a healthy woman somewhere relatively safe. Not saying those were the circumstances, just a reason they can't automatically prioritize a woman as higher risk.
Exactly. Towing companies don't know the complete situation until the tow truck driver gets there. Not everyone thinks of telling the towing company an emergency situation because they likely have already called someone else. They could have a small child they need to take home. A small kid will always take precedence in the queue. This woman wasn't even in any danger at the end of the day. She was just thinking of the what-ifs. I know dark highways are creepy af, you're imagination can run wild. I used to come along with my now-ex in his tow truck. Came across all types of people. Men were just as relieved to see help as women. It's a dangerous job and tow truck drivers are just as likely, if not more, to be attacked on site. It's a bit of a false security to think your safe when they're there. Often their backs are turned, busy doing their job. When he would get the stolen recoveries one of the cops would always stay to watch over the tow truck driver in case a suspect is nearby.
Load More Replies... This *is* equality. It is not equity. Too many people ask for equality when what they want is equity.
Equity is based on the principle of leveling the playing field. That means considering variables beyond belonging to the same species. A form of triage, so to speak. Treating everyone the same is not the same as being fair.
Load More Replies...
The point the AA are trying to make is a completely valid one. She is not automatically top priority because she is a woman, but that does not mean she will not be top priority as it's based on risk and call outs at that time. If it's a choice between a woman who breaks down alone in the middle of nowhere, a family who's car won't start while they were visiting a relative, and a man who broke down outside his work, she would be top priority as she is the most at risk. Equally, if she has broken down 5 minutes walk from home, and a man is stranded on the side of the motorway, he should be the priority. It's about looking at individual circumstances at the time, rather than a tick box to say who gets priority.
Did people miss the party where the company explained it was illegal to prioritize based on sex, it did I misunderstand something? They were trying to give everyone the magic words, if the person mentions reasons to be concerned for their safety. The lady has no idea who was being prioritized over her. A guy with a serious medical condition or something stabbed in the middle of nowhere should take priority over a healthy woman somewhere relatively safe. Not saying those were the circumstances, just a reason they can't automatically prioritize a woman as higher risk.
Exactly. Towing companies don't know the complete situation until the tow truck driver gets there. Not everyone thinks of telling the towing company an emergency situation because they likely have already called someone else. They could have a small child they need to take home. A small kid will always take precedence in the queue. This woman wasn't even in any danger at the end of the day. She was just thinking of the what-ifs. I know dark highways are creepy af, you're imagination can run wild. I used to come along with my now-ex in his tow truck. Came across all types of people. Men were just as relieved to see help as women. It's a dangerous job and tow truck drivers are just as likely, if not more, to be attacked on site. It's a bit of a false security to think your safe when they're there. Often their backs are turned, busy doing their job. When he would get the stolen recoveries one of the cops would always stay to watch over the tow truck driver in case a suspect is nearby.
Load More Replies... This *is* equality. It is not equity. Too many people ask for equality when what they want is equity.
Equity is based on the principle of leveling the playing field. That means considering variables beyond belonging to the same species. A form of triage, so to speak. Treating everyone the same is not the same as being fair.
Load More Replies...
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